The Real Issue: The Administration

['Boro-vol]

I may get roasted on this, and don't know too much about Blackburn (he seems like good fit and checks boxes + being UT guy, which can't be under estimated)...but to me, Fulmer should be considered because we need a stabilizing force, who has good reputation among sports community (respect of coaching industry), and been successful in business, which is important dealing w/ boosters. Heck, if Bama can hire a fired UT coach as AD, maybe we can too.

I do agree that something feels amiss...hope it's not a smoke=fire deal. Feel like we're under an NCAA investigation, as long as this is dragging on.

It'll never happen, and not because he wouldn't do a good job. The Academics are never, ever going to allow someone with as much "juice" as Fulmer to head up Athletics. They purged any Orange blood from the AD some time ago, got rid of the Tennessee Good Ole Boys, and finally have the level of control that they've always sought. Athletics, namely Football, are a priority only as a revenue source for the University.

That battle raged on the hill for years, and finally culminated with Fulmer's ouster. They are not going back to a strong, influential AD.

 

[Roustabout]

I give Fulmer this he was right UT football changed when battle left in early 2000s. It was never right from top down again and still isnt. Single example will be that I put money on Bama going to Dabo and paying whatever it takes when Saban retires. UT won't and hasn't done that. Not a negavol but I'm not sure we will ever win big until administration invests for us t ok win big

Battle? What? And where is Fulmer quoted as saying this?

 

[WVU05UT09]

It'll never happen, and not because he wouldn't do a good job. The Academics are never, ever going to allow someone with as much "juice" as Fulmer to head up Athletics. They purged any Orange blood from the AD some time ago, got rid of the Tennessee Good Ole Boys, and finally have the level of control that they've always sought. Athletics, namely Football, are a priority only as a revenue source for the University.

That battle raged on the hill for years, and finally culminated with Fulmer's ouster. They are not going back to a strong, influential AD.

So given those facts which I agree with my suggestion to the University of Tennessee is to quickly seek membership in a league with more like minded members like the ACC or Big Ten. That type of institutional investment and lack of give a sh*t will not make it in the SEC.

 

[aredfox28]

This. The AD mess tells me that Tennessee athletics will have to get lucky to do anything of relevance in my lifetime. I love Tennessee but the BOT is an absolute obstacle to the school doing anything at present.

Its amazing.. all other schools strive and do everything the can to be relevant in sports, but not goood ole Tennessee baby, they strive for anything but.

 

[DaddyChad]

UT takes its athletics very seriously. Any suggestion that we don't is nonsense. We might not be as obsessed as alabama, which struggled for years before it spent massively to hire Saban and has also been the biggest cheater in college football, but we take football, and every other sport, seriously. We are handicapped by being a state that has very few elite high-school athletes--probably fewer than any state in the SEC except MAYBE kentucky. Eighty or more percent of our recruits, all sports, come from other states: that is a serious disadvantage. UT also isn't exactly an elite academic institution, which can also be an advantage. Combine that with the fact that the SEC is a dog-eat-dog conference and titles don't come easily. Could we do better? Of course, there is always room for improvement in every aspect of athletics. But it has nothing to do with commitment by the university.

Watch how long it takes to get an AD in place and tell me with a straight face that the BOT gives a crap about winning a title. We're content with maintaining the money flow not achieving a title unless it's done dirt cheap.

 

[Remy]

I know everyone wants to hate on the academic people, but they're not the ones who have f***ed up Tennessee sports. Blame Phil Fulmer -- he's the one who personally installed Mike Hamilton as AD because he thought he'd be a puppet. And Mike Hamilton screwed up everything.

I detest this post, but ashamed to admit, it DOES have the ring of truth. <smdh>

 

[Vol737]

This. The AD mess tells me that Tennessee athletics will have to get lucky to do anything of relevance in my lifetime. I love Tennessee but the BOT is an absolute obstacle to the school doing anything at present.

Which ironic considering the BOT is dominated by guys that built multi-million/billion $$ businesses, yet they can't get out of their own way when it comes to this football program and athletic department. Smartest guys in the room and all, I guess.

 

[vol-un-tear]

The AD mess tells me winning is not being taken seriously

Agree. Hire Blackburn yesterday!

 

[cd12]

That dog won't hunt. There are more Haslam appointees than Bredesen now.

Not when the dam broke...