What Thornton said.

[9296potsguy]

Thornton wanted nothing to do with it...it was Haslam that pulled the plug.

Hmmm...time to go buy some Pilot Oil and help the big fella out.

 

[droski]

Tenn is a better job than auburn or georgia.

 

[allvol4life]

Mr Thornton has and we hope will continue to be an avid supporter of Tennesse and in particular the football program. I consider Coachs leaving bitter sweet. I am eternally gratefully for the wonderful experience of the 98 team and championship, but felt we underachieved in 99 with a load of talent, and could not figure out how to run a draw or a screen at Alex Brown, who basically was made all world that day. Then we can fast forward to the 2001 season which we made Georgia year in a 44 second span, only to make it to the title game and be outcoached by Saban in the 2nd half. Thanks for the memories Coach Fulmer, I truly am gratful, but we have definited regressed the past 9 years. May God richly Bless you and your wonderful family, you are appreciated. God Bless America, Support Our Troops, GO Big Orange, allVOL4life

Thunder
Thornton spoke by phone to the TFPs Wes Rucker...

LINK:Complete article


Don't want to make another thread, but the Mark Wiedmer commentary this morning was also interesting...

LINK:Wiedmer

 

[orange+white=heaven]

Mr Thornton has and we hope will continue to be an avid supporter of Tennesse and in particular the football program. I consider Coachs leaving bitter sweet. I am eternally gratefully for the wonderful experience of the 98 team and championship, but felt we underachieved in 99 with a load of talent, and could not figure out how to run a draw or a screen at Alex Brown, who basically was made all world that day. Then we can fast forward to the 2001 season which we made Georgia year in a 44 second span, only to make it to the title game and be outcoached by Saban in the 2nd half. Thanks for the memories Coach Fulmer, I truly am gratful, but we have definited regressed the past 9 years. May God richly Bless you and your wonderful family, you are appreciated. God Bless America, Support Our Troops, GO Big Orange, allVOL4life

Good first post.... Welcome to TheNation...:hi:

 

[MontereyVol]

thornton wanted nothing to do with it...it was haslam that pulled the plug.

 

[PineyBluff Vol]

Card; I appoligize...it was not my intent to belittle your question; it's a pertinent question...However, I do not think it is one that you will ever get a definitive answer to. My comment was a satirical, and most sarcastic commentary about the persuave abilities of money and power. It was not about T.T., or about your inquirery.

I like the levity of the comment. These are such trying times.

 

[awebb7]

It was a vote of "present". He can later say I told you so or it was the right time.

 

[possumtownVol]

Instead of starting a new thread this seems like the right place for me to apologize to Mike Hamilton. As most long time posters know I have been very critical of MH since the contract. I started calling him Kermit because I truly believed somebody else was calling the shots and he was just a mouthpiece. Yesterday I was proud to have MH as the AD! It was a very difficult situation and he handled himself well. I know he consulted with others before he made this decision but I think in the end it was his and his alone. I'm also proud that the big boys gave him the power to do it. So Mike...you have my respect and deepest apologies!

i believe Hamilton needs to answer for giving Fulmer the big contract when no one was trying to hire Fulmer away from UT. There was no reason to reward Fulmer for average seasons especially when he wasn't in demand for another job. I can't understand why he gave him such a sweet contract, when he wasn't going anywhere

 

[herkyvol]

i believe Hamilton needs to answer for giving Fulmer the big contract when no one was trying to hire Fulmer away from UT. There was no reason to reward Fulmer for average seasons especially when he wasn't in demand for another job. I can't understand why he gave him such a sweet contract, when he wasn't going anywhere

Could it have been a backhanded way to set a public benchmark? Win eight and we keep you for 4-5 more years until you reach Neyland's record, win less and you're gone...

 

[sjt18]

Why does everyone think UT's job is not better than Florida, GA, LSU, etc? .

Perhaps because Tn has by far the worst recruiting base in the SEC. UT has very good facilities... as do most of the schools with vastly superior recruiting bases like tOSU, Mich, UF, UGA, LSU, Bama, Texas, OU, USC, etc.

If UT gets a top tier coach... and they had better if they want to compete... it will take $$$$$$$$$.

I agree with the decision to get rid of Fulmer. He had not met reasonable expectations. But there are tremendous risks to the program right now not the least of which is having long time big money boosters cutting the program off. If they don't like the new coach or he flops... those who've whined about decline and mediocrity could get a program that actually matches their attitude.

 

[JMBIGORANGE]

Why does everyone think UT's job is not better than Florida, GA, LSU, etc? It is a top tier job with top tier facilities and tradition. This is said, IMO, because of the recent success of Florida, GA, Alabama, etc. Let a good coach come in here, get a few quality wins, and I am sure these critics will shut up. There is always a few negative figureheads when it comes to changes in anything. I love Phillip Fulmer, it was just simply time for a change. I wouldn't even being opposed to keeping him on the coaching staff, maybe for a o-line coach.

They are basing that off of recruiting. Fla, UGA, Bama, LSU all have superior instate talent to recruit from where UT has to go outside to get top talent. That's all it is. UT has the best stadium, facilities on par with anybody, a huge fan base and is just as attractive as the other "Top" SEC schools. They just don't have the instate talent to pull from.