As Tennstud said, this is strictly my interpretation of a lot of things I've heard from people that I place enough confidence in to give what they say credibility.
As Tennstud noted, the president is a political animal. He is not unique in that. No one ever gets to that position without being a great politician. He is very hands on, and tolerates no threat to his control. That statement is not intended to be judgemental, just fact. Anyone who thinks previous presidents tolerated any threats is mistaken. I think some of those guys were pretty good in the job so it's not a bad or good thing... just what is.
Fulmer is not popular with the president. I don't think it's anything personal, just that Fulmer has been too well established with people the president needs supporting UT to be controlled by the president to the degree the president would be comfortable with. A new coach won't present that problem because he will be beholden to the president for having the job. Just the way things work.
The results on the field recently have weakened Fulmers position to the point that he is vulnerable. Probably, IMO, so weakened that he will be replaced. I make no claim to know whether it will be before the end of the season or after. I just expect it to happen. I do not think Fulmer is ready to go but he might be. I do expect, unlike some other posters, that the fight will not become a nasty public fight but rather stay behind the scenes, possibly culminating in Fulmer getting a placebo job with the athletic department if he wants it. Whether he will want it or not I don't claim to know either.
One other note... most of the guys identified by name on this board as being influential are not really involved.
Make no mistake.... this is at least as much about "office politics" as it is about football... maybe moreso.
As Tennstud noted, the president is a political animal. He is not unique in that. No one ever gets to that position without being a great politician. He is very hands on, and tolerates no threat to his control. That statement is not intended to be judgemental, just fact. Anyone who thinks previous presidents tolerated any threats is mistaken. I think some of those guys were pretty good in the job so it's not a bad or good thing... just what is.
Fulmer is not popular with the president. I don't think it's anything personal, just that Fulmer has been too well established with people the president needs supporting UT to be controlled by the president to the degree the president would be comfortable with. A new coach won't present that problem because he will be beholden to the president for having the job. Just the way things work.
The results on the field recently have weakened Fulmers position to the point that he is vulnerable. Probably, IMO, so weakened that he will be replaced. I make no claim to know whether it will be before the end of the season or after. I just expect it to happen. I do not think Fulmer is ready to go but he might be. I do expect, unlike some other posters, that the fight will not become a nasty public fight but rather stay behind the scenes, possibly culminating in Fulmer getting a placebo job with the athletic department if he wants it. Whether he will want it or not I don't claim to know either.
One other note... most of the guys identified by name on this board as being influential are not really involved.
Make no mistake.... this is at least as much about "office politics" as it is about football... maybe moreso.