Per Doug Matthews

#27
#27
East Tennessee is devoid of true journalists. All the hacks around here are trying to protect Fulmer or the University instead of trying to dig into what is going on and reporting it.
 
#28
#28
Not to split hairs, but Matthews' exact words were "Do I think a coaching change will be made...yes. Do I know that for sure...no". He did not say Fulmer is out at the end of the season like it is official breaking news, it was only his opinion. With that said, he obviously knows a little about what is going on, because he has danced around the issue EVERYTIME a caller would pose the question...and Matthews is a Fulmer apologist. Now all of a sudden he thinks a head coaching change will be made.
 
#29
#29
Business said:
Exactly, and you beautifully described why I detest it.
Click to expand...

I don't understand why HS football is so......mediocre (for lack of a better word) in this state, compared to AL, or GA, or even NC. We have heavily populated areas like Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, similar to these other states (save Atlanta; that place and surrounding area is just enormous), so why do we not produce better HS prospects (solely based on population and the fact that some of the larger HS SHOULD have more talent)? I was a trainer in middle tennessee and the best "talent" I saw was at Riverdale, and it wasn't exactly a pool of prospects-at any level (d-1, 2 or 3). I get it that we HAVE to recruit nationally, because our in-state talent just isn't there, but what I don't get is why. Any insight on this? Is it really a lack of qualified coaching? or is it we can't KEEP them in state?
 
Last edited:
#30
#30
........and if matthews and Fulmer really are 'pals', why would he say anything less than 'we won't find anyone better' in an effort to defend his 'buddy'? i mean, he must feel compelled to stay in the guys good graces, for whatever reason..
 
#31
#31
jhvol said:
Not to split hairs, but Matthews' exact words were "Do I think a coaching change will be made...yes. Do I know that for sure...no". He did not say Fulmer is out at the end of the season like it is official breaking news, it was only his opinion. With that said, he obviously knows a little about what is going on, because he has danced around the issue EVERYTIME a caller would pose the question...and Matthews is a Fulmer apologist. Now all of a sudden he thinks a head coaching change will be made.
Click to expand...

You're not splitting hairs, you're just saying the exact same thing I did in the initial post. I never suggested it was anything more than his opinion. But I trust his opinion over almost any other in the media. He is very close to the program and to Fulmer.

And later in the broadcast he made the statement that I have repeated here. He said it several times.
 
#32
#32
OrangeU said:
I don't understand why HS football is so......mediocre (for lack of a better word) in this state, compared to AL, or GA, or even NC. We have heavily populated areas like Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, similar to these other states (save Atlanta; that place and surrounding area is just enormous), so why do we not produce better HS prospects (solely based on population and the fact that some of the larger HS SHOULD have more talent)? I was a trainer in middle tennessee and the best "talent" I saw was at Riverdale, and it wasn't exactly a pool of prospects-at any level (d-1, 2 or 3). I get it that we HAVE to recruit nationally, because our in-state talent just isn't there, but what I don't get is why. Any insight on this? Is it really a lack of qualified coaching? or is it we can't KEEP them in state?
Click to expand...

You make a good point about the HS football in TN that I'd never truly considered, that the great players in this state just don't match up with what other states are producing. I graduated from Oak Ridge HS, which for years has been one of the top tier teams in the state (they've fallen off a bit over the past couple of seasons), and I had always wondered why so few of the great players at Oak Ridge ever went on to play at any D-I schools. To my knowledge, three players from the past 15 years went on to play at SEC schools (Shawn Summers for UT, Shawn Bohanon, and Jason McAddeley for Bama. McAddeley spent several seasons playing special teams in the NFL as well. Mike Resnick also played for Army). I'm sure the numbers aren't that much better for the other top HS teams in the state as well.
 
#33
#33
exactly, bleedorange. riverdale had (forgive me for bringing up this name) eric locke's brother and I don't even think he got a scholly. on our team (lincoln county) we had lamar divens and theo horrocks, who both went to vandy and are now playing NFL ball. but we also had a stud RB (gregory), QB edmiston, and WR Bryson. they never got any serious looks and i don't remember UT even coming to practice but once (adkins), and those kids grades were good. we had good coaching as well. but as a whole (the state of TN is very big, and spread out) the talent doesn't stack up, like you said. i live near huntsville, al (which is dwarfed by nashville, memphis and even knoxville) and i can name off from this area: chris anderson (al), jayson swain, joey kent, rashad moore, okoye-or something lol(the 19 yr old kid who played for louisville) now in the pros, mclain (mlb at al), pat white, philip rivers.....anyway you get the point and that's just the one's i remember without any digging. my point being all those guys came from either huntsville or within 30-45 min of huntsville and our teams around here aren't exactly winning the state every year.....so what's up with the talent around the larger cities in TN?
 
Last edited:
#34
#34
OrangeU said:
I don't understand why HS football is so......mediocre (for lack of a better word) in this state, compared to AL, or GA, or even NC. We have heavily populated areas like Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, similar to these other states (save Atlanta; that place and surrounding area is just enormous), so why do we not produce better HS prospects (solely based on population and the fact that some of the larger HS SHOULD have more talent)? I was a trainer in middle tennessee and the best "talent" I saw was at Riverdale, and it wasn't exactly a pool of prospects-at any level (d-1, 2 or 3). I get it that we HAVE to recruit nationally, because our in-state talent just isn't there, but what I don't get is why. Any insight on this? Is it really a lack of qualified coaching? or is it we can't KEEP them in state?
Click to expand...

I've asked that question for years with no solid answers. Is it coaching? I don't know, but T McFerrin came out of Murfreesboro and was one of the most successful coaches in Georgia for many years. I just don't get it.
 
#35
#35
billbattle said:
I've asked that question for years with no solid answers. Is it coaching? I don't know, but T McFerrin came out of Murfreesboro and was one of the most successful coaches in Georgia for many years. I just don't get it.
Click to expand...

one explanation i have heard offered is that organized football in TN really does not begin until the jr high level, while in other states there is big emphasis at the pee wee (?) level down into elementary school. the early emphasis gives players more time to develop, and lures more of the top athletes into the football program.

another factor to consider is state population. TN is what, 4mil or so, while FL is 18mil.? sheer numbers advantage means more quality players from in that state.
 
#36
#36
tm3 said:
another factor to consider is state population. TN is what, 4mil or so, while FL is 18mil.? sheer numbers advantage means more quality players from in that state.
Click to expand...
Population wise, Tennessee is larger than Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and South Carolina...
 
#37
#37
IMO with TN only having one major school (football wise) a smart coach would hold summer coaching clinics for the H.S. coaches for free. Develop the UT program from the top down. CPF may be doing this but I've never heard about it.

Where I grew up the varsity coach picked the JV coach and on down to sandlot, had clinics and gave them coaching manuals. By the time we got to varsity we knew the system, fundamentals and such.
 
#38
#38
hog88 said:
IMO with TN only having one major school (football wise) a smart coach would hold summer coaching clinics for the H.S. coaches for free. Develop the UT program from the top down. CPF may be doing this but I've never heard about it.

Where I grew up the varsity coach picked the JV coach and on down to sandlot, had clinics and gave them coaching manuals. By the time we got to varsity we knew the system, fundamentals and such.
Click to expand...
But not too many places are like Gate City!!!
 
#40
#40
Sabanocchio said:
FWIW, on the Zone here in Nashville, Doug Matthews, who we all know has ties to UT and Fulmer, stated that the decision on whether or not to replace Fulmer has already been made and he expects a coaching change.

He went on to say that there is really no one available who would be willing to come to UT that would be an upgrade over Fulmer. IMO he is biased because he is close friends with Phil so I would take that for what it's worth.

I can say with confidence that this is accurate and Fulmer is out. I just hope the coach is wrong and we can attract a big name guy that would be an upgrade over Phil.


*fingers crossed*
Click to expand...
I have never considered Mathews to be a Fulmer defender~~
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.
Advertisement



Back
Top