A large number of them have already lost respect for us because of the discipline problems we've had and the way our program has turned into a perennial disappointment. Fans of other teams ask me all the time, "Hey, does Fulmer have a lifetime job or what?" and the like.
Besides, top-level teams fire coaches all the time after 8- and 9-win seasons. The media dutifully wrings its hands and talks about how the guy was wronged, and then everybody forgets about it. For awhile it was "controversial" that Ohio State had dumped John Cooper. How'd that work out for them?
the only thing i'll say about that is that for each of those, it wasn't like they were replacing a guy that had won multiple championships and a NT. Also, some of those teams hadn't really had a good coach until you got to where they are today. GA had to go thru Ray Goff and Jim donnan before Richt....same w/bama....there were the three Mike's and Dennis before St. Nick comes to town.How'd it work out for GA when they fired their coach and hired Mark Richt? For Florida when they fired Zook and hired Meyer? Auburn when they fired their coach and hired Tubberville? Any of those teams regretting that now? I dont think so.
jake, the frustrating and difficult thing about CPF from my perspective is that there does not appear to be any accountability for the hfc at UTK. The next guy they hire, unless it's Peyton (doubtful) will not have the kind of capital and markers for past favors that Fulmer has developed by basically staying in the same place for so long. That means that even if the next hire is not a home run it will not be anywhere near so difficult and painful to replace him. Nobody wants a revolving door on the head coach's office but I would not have a problem with a couple of short tenured klunkers if: (1) I could actually see that they were trying to be innovative; and (2) The end result is that UTK gets a head coach who can win the SEC.
For the benefit of any newer posters/lurkers who may wonder why I want a coaching change all I can say is that when I watch the Vols play and analyze what the staff is doing so far as preparation and playcalling I feel like they are trying to follow the same map that they used in the 1990s. I really beleive that there are coaches at UTK who have the attitude that 'if the scheme worked once it'll work again if we can just get the right athletes and proper execution'. That is not innovation. That does not win championships. I you want to know what wins championships, revisit Urban Meyer's words earlier this year when he said, "If you're sustaining, you're losing."
Completely agreed. To go further with the sustaining comment: Take Bruce Pearl. I remember him in an interview saying he expected more. To go further next season. He just came off a great season and is expecting improvement.
And then you have Fulmer who believes "9 wins is ok at Tennessee." Regardless of whether he was talking about 9 is acceptable or 9 wins once in a while, it still makes me shake my head.
we'll just have to disagree on that...jake, the frustrating and difficult thing about CPF from my perspective is that there does not appear to be any accountability for the hfc at UTK. The next guy they hire, unless it's Peyton (doubtful) will not have the kind of capital and markers for past favors that Fulmer has developed by basically staying in the same place for so long. That means that even if the next hire is not a home run it will not be anywhere near so difficult and painful to replace him. Nobody wants a revolving door on the head coach's office but I would not have a problem with a couple of short tenured klunkers if: (1) I could actually see that they were trying to be innovative; and (2) The end result is that UTK gets a head coach who can win the SEC.
Do you really think CPF doesn't want to improve? I think most every coach in the nation would say a 9 win season is "ok" in the SEC. There is a HUGE difference in "ok" and what they expect. If you look you will find many times where CPF stated that championships are what he expects for UT. He has not had one in a while and he is running out of time. But at least keep your remarks accurate
Sure he wants to improve, but he doesn't know how to go about it.
Back to the quote, it honestly sounds like he's saying we should be content with a 9 win season. That may be true if it's sandwiched between some SEC Championships, but after 8 seasons it sounds like, well, sustainment.