Who's really to blame for this mess ?

#1
ITSGR82BATNVOL

ITSGR82BATNVOL

VOLS comin for ya...LET'S GO!
Joined
Jun 3, 2009
Messages
3,539
Likes
1,516
#1
I'd really like to hear other fans perspective as to who is REALLY to blame / and WHY for the mess TN FOOTBALL currently finds it's self in:

I'll start: Although Kiffin is the popular choice, because of the way things played out, I don't think you can really blame him if you look at the facts. When he arrived, he promised to assemble a great staff. He promised to get the Tennessee name / power T out there among recruits again. He promised to go after the best talent available no matter where that was. When asked face to face by MH if he would have an interest in the USC job if approached he was honest and said yes. Although the way he exited hurt the program, if you are honest you can't deny he delivered on the promises listed above.

In regards to Phillip Fulmer. I don't think there is one fan alive (realistic fan that is) that can deny Fulmer sat on his laurels and let a once proud program decline in a major way under his rein. In my opinion Fulmer was hungry when he first got the job and was determined to take the program to a level his predecessor (Majors was unable to). He did exactly that, but once he reached the pinnacle of CB, he got fat and sassy (no pun intended). He lost that drive he once had and was content to sit back, and let the recruits come to him, rather than pursue them aggressively. That being said I find it hard to blame Fulmer for the mess we currently have.

In my opinion we now come to the real problem. We as hard core Vol fans saw our FB program start declining when we lost to LSU in the SEC CG early this decade. We saw that decline continue over the coming years, all the while MH continued to extend Fulmer's contract and give him substantial raises most years. My question is and always has been, is MH to blame for this or is Jim Haslam and the other big time boosters ? We all know UT is all about money, always has been and always will be.

I firmly believe keeping Fulmer as HC as long as the powers that be allowed is the reason we find ourselves in the mess we currently have. Had we made a change 3-4 years before we did, there were numerous quality coaches available, and the program was not nearly as depleted of players as it is now. I believe we could have attracted a quality coach then and we would never have regressed to to the point we currently find ourselves in.

Would like to hear other fan's thoughts on the subject.
 
#2
#2
I understand where you are going with this, and as someone who was around when we were great in the 90s, this period of our program sucks.

But I think we have to move forward and not worry about rehashing mistakes. We are UT, we have great facilities, great traditions, and great fans. We have Rocky Top, the Pride of the Southland, and 100,000 people in Orange on Saturdays. We are bigger than one coach and no one can destroy in one year what over 100 years of Volunteers have built. So things may suck for a while, I'll still be in my seats cause I'm a Vol. I will be pi$$ed when we lose, but I will get over it. We will have good teams again, and X won't even be an asterisk in our media guide.
 
Last edited:
#3
#3
At this point, we need to start focusing on the future. Lame Kitten and Philp Fulmer are both gone, and they aren't coming back. We seem to have a decent young coach on the job now that doesn't seem to be looking for a chance to bolt for the left coast or the NFL.

Of course, the answer to your question is probably a combination of many factors, most of which you outlined above. However, it isn't helpful to dwell on it. The more we do, the more angry we get. Kitten isn't worth it. We've got a whole new era to look forward to now! Go Vols!
 
#4
#4
For the most part I agree. I think MH had his hands tied untill 2008 by the boosters and admin, he most likely would have let CPF go after 2005 if it was up to him.

The blame lies with the TN good ol boy mentality, everybody involved let this house be run into the ground because CPF was a TN good ol boy. A good coach can really be tracked by their coaching tree, CPF has a bush. The admin, MH and the boosters like Thorton and Haslam should have seen this coming. They most likely did, but again, couldn't let go of the "good ol boy".
 
#6
#6
My question is and always has been, is MH to blame for this or is Jim Haslam and the other big time boosters ? We all know UT is all about money, always has been and always will be.
Click to expand...

I hate to disappoint you but without the boosters and money UTK would be ETSU
 
#7
#7
Who cares.......... He is gone (X). Why do people on here keep talking him and USC??????? Get over it. Move on..... Either Dooley works or he doesn't. I have been following UT since Dickey. I do know the history. If you care about the X then go follow him at his new school !!!!
 
#9
#9
it doesn't matter who is at fault. the past is the past and i'm focusing on the future. Go Vols!!!
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#10
#10
The mess is all my fault. I had a stomach virus and thought it was over but then I drank some beer. sorry.
 
#11
#11
ITSGR82BATNVOL said:
I'd really like to hear other fans perspective as to who is REALLY to blame / and WHY for the mess TN FOOTBALL currently finds it's self in:

I'll start: Although Kiffin is the popular choice, because of the way things played out, I don't think you can really blame him if you look at the facts. When he arrived, he promised to assemble a great staff. He promised to get the Tennessee name / power T out there among recruits again. He promised to go after the best talent available no matter where that was. When asked face to face by MH if he would have an interest in the USC job if approached he was honest and said yes. Although the way he exited hurt the program, if you are honest you can't deny he delivered on the promises listed above.

In regards to Phillip Fulmer. I don't think there is one fan alive (realistic fan that is) that can deny Fulmer sat on his laurels and let a once proud program decline in a major way under his rein. In my opinion Fulmer was hungry when he first got the job and was determined to take the program to a level his predecessor (Majors was unable to). He did exactly that, but once he reached the pinnacle of CB, he got fat and sassy (no pun intended). He lost that drive he once had and was content to sit back, and let the recruits come to him, rather than pursue them aggressively. That being said I find it hard to blame Fulmer for the mess we currently have.

In my opinion we now come to the real problem. We as hard core Vol fans saw our FB program start declining when we lost to LSU in the SEC CG early this decade. We saw that decline continue over the coming years, all the while MH continued to extend Fulmer's contract and give him substantial raises most years. My question is and always has been, is MH to blame for this or is Jim Haslam and the other big time boosters ? We all know UT is all about money, always has been and always will be.

I firmly believe keeping Fulmer as HC as long as the powers that be allowed is the reason we find ourselves in the mess we currently have. Had we made a change 3-4 years before we did, there were numerous quality coaches available, and the program was not nearly as depleted of players as it is now. I believe we could have attracted a quality coach then and we would never have regressed to to the point we currently find ourselves in.

Would like to hear other fan's thoughts on the subject.
Click to expand...

mike hamilton. should have already been fired.
 
#12
#12
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY. The landscape of college football is why we are were we are. The days of football coaches staying at one place are gone. Who was the last BIG NAME Coach we hired? Johnny Majors 20 something years ago. Coaches will follow the money and if they do not win, they are gone.
 
#13
#13
Poor choices and pursuit of the all mighty dollar is why. It's going to bite someone in the rear soon.
 
#14
#14
There was no one thing wrong and there is no one individual at fault. Fulmer bears some responsibility as does the assistants who were under him. Those who were discipline issues were at fault. Mike hamilton was at fault. And lastly (some of) the UT fans are at fault. It definately matters who is at fault if those at fault are still at the university. If who is at fault can learn from those mistakes and not commit them again this ship can be righted. David returning and the success that resulted proved it wasn`t broken as bad as the overreaction of the fans.
 
#15
#15
Fulmer should have taken Vicky's advice and retired just after winning the national championship. He never evolved after.
 
#16
#16
champyvol said:
mike hamilton. should have already been fired.
Click to expand...


For what?
He hired a guy that won 2 more games than his predecessor in his first year, brought in a very good recruiting class with the top running back in the country after 2.5 months on the job and was on his way to a top 5 at the very least for this coming year. It is not Hamilon's fault that the little piece of *** left us 3 weeks and 1 day before signing day. That is Kiffin, Monte, O sh** head, Cregg, and Garza's fault. I think the little ****** did a good job working with Crompton and getting the most of what Fulmer left us with.....I hope the wormy little weasel and his little bootlickers fail miserably at usc but i still think he did his job well.
 
#17
#17
Lets just focus on the present and future. Heck I don't care to hear anymore about "Mr. X, Mr. O or the rest of those losers. It doesn't do one bit of good dweeling on what has been.....just what we have now....time to move on and ahead
 
#18
#18
I put it on the Pillsbury doughboy he got fatter and lazy S_ _ t canned us.Nice guy but never tell me he cares about his beloved UT.
 
#19
#19
I think to point to a single cause is naive. We held on to fulmer for too long. Recruits didn't pan out (Morley, Donald, etc). Other teams improved, reducing our ability to raid their states for the best talent. Bad hires (lame kitten and his toadies). Put them all together and you get he slow decline of the 2000's.
 
#20
#20
Every program has its down years. Their is not one I can think of that has stayed at the top of the game without pit falls. It is what it is. Make the most of it and hope for the best. We have a tradition rich program that we r proud of. That is all it takes for us to finally get back on track. Imagine if you were a Kentucky or Vandy football fan. They will probably never get to experience the highs we have had and will have again.
 
#21
#21
volmedic45 said:
Every program has its down years. Their is not one I can think of that has stayed at the top of the game without pit falls. It is what it is. Make the most of it and hope for the best. We have a tradition rich program that we r proud of. That is all it takes for us to finally get back on track. Imagine if you were a Kentucky or Vandy football fan. They will probably never get to experience the highs we have had and will have again.
Click to expand...

True, but UT didn't have down years, it had a down decade.
 
#22
#22
ITSGR82BATNVOL said:
I'd really like to hear other fans perspective as to who is REALLY to blame / and WHY for the mess TN FOOTBALL currently finds it's self in:

I'll start: Although Kiffin is the popular choice, because of the way things played out, I don't think you can really blame him if you look at the facts. When he arrived, he promised to assemble a great staff. He promised to get the Tennessee name / power T out there among recruits again. He promised to go after the best talent available no matter where that was. When asked face to face by MH if he would have an interest in the USC job if approached he was honest and said yes. Although the way he exited hurt the program, if you are honest you can't deny he delivered on the promises listed above.

In regards to Phillip Fulmer. I don't think there is one fan alive (realistic fan that is) that can deny Fulmer sat on his laurels and let a once proud program decline in a major way under his rein. In my opinion Fulmer was hungry when he first got the job and was determined to take the program to a level his predecessor (Majors was unable to). He did exactly that, but once he reached the pinnacle of CB, he got fat and sassy (no pun intended). He lost that drive he once had and was content to sit back, and let the recruits come to him, rather than pursue them aggressively. That being said I find it hard to blame Fulmer for the mess we currently have.

In my opinion we now come to the real problem. We as hard core Vol fans saw our FB program start declining when we lost to LSU in the SEC CG early this decade. We saw that decline continue over the coming years, all the while MH continued to extend Fulmer's contract and give him substantial raises most years. My question is and always has been, is MH to blame for this or is Jim Haslam and the other big time boosters ? We all know UT is all about money, always has been and always will be.

I firmly believe keeping Fulmer as HC as long as the powers that be allowed is the reason we find ourselves in the mess we currently have. Had we made a change 3-4 years before we did, there were numerous quality coaches available, and the program was not nearly as depleted of players as it is now. I believe we could have attracted a quality coach then and we would never have regressed to to the point we currently find ourselves in.

Would like to hear other fan's thoughts on the subject.
Click to expand...

who's to blame one name and one name only
Mike Hamilton
 
#23
#23
Yeah it did seem to linger for awhile...but do you seriously think that a place like Tennessee will continue to spiral downward? We love our other sport's teams, but we dang well live and die on our fall Saturdays. Dont think for a second that the people with the money that make this program go dont think that also. It might take time but we will get back to the top. This is not optimism, from a financial standpoint everyone should see that. The Vol football team brings the cash into Knoxville.
 
Last edited:
#25
#25
I have it down between:

A. Whoever thought adding "woo" to Rocky Top was a good idea.

B. The Future

C. The woman with whom Jim Bob Cooter climbed into bed.

D. Some combination of Fulmer, Cutcliffe, Hamilton, and a booster or two, with Cutcliffe catching the least of it.

I have to leave the most recent former coach of the Tennessee Vols out so far. He left the program in a tremendously bad spot for the short term, but we were behind close to, if not more than, half the SEC in terms of talent when he got there. That's not to say that he did all that much to improve the situation. In days to come we may blame him depending on the outcome of hostessgate, recruiting, etc, but he didn't put us here no matter how much of a snake he is.
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.
Advertisement



Back
Top