Without giving away too much info (reddit doxxing is scary)-I'm dating a former Tennessee player who is still very involved with the program. He knows I'm obsessed with cfb, so he tells me everything that's going on. He's still close with guys like Jay Graham and Tee Martin, and told me about the Fulmer coup before it happened.
Apparently, Peyton Manning is chummy with the Haslams and other players don't like it. The Haslams act like they own the program and other big money donors are getting upset. THAT'S why they got Fulmer in as AD-as a big middle finger to the Haslams, who HATE it. As far as coaches are concerned, he and other former players really want Lane Kiffin back in Knoxville. If Kiffin came back, he would bring Tee Martin with him, as they are still extremely close. That would be a win-win for Tennessee, but the big money boosters and some of the administration are still salty about how Kiffin left, so this probably won't happen. Now, Cutcliffe may reconsider now that Fulmer is AD-but another name he floated to me was David Shaw at Stanford. I asked him if it was serious and he said to keep an eye on it. One thing that stood out was he said that Shaw really loves the game, and Stanford is an academic institution that never sells out a home game. Apparently that is wearing on him a bit, and he misses the intensity and passion that maybe other bigger sports schools could offer. So, we shall see. But that name really surprised me.
Edit: this is the best pillow talk haha
Double Edit: Tee is getting an interview as well. We know this for a fact. We just don't know how serious it will be. Also, I forgot to mention that the Haslams DON'T want former players involved with the program because they know they will lose control if the players are all united and vocal. Now that Fulmer is back, former players are going to come out of the woodwork. The Haslams have officially lost control of Tennessee.