Phil Fulmer out!!!!!!!!!

[mddubya]

ESPN is breaking the story, Phil Fulmer will finish the year out as the head coach of the UT Vols but WILL NOT RETURN next year. Thank goodness!!!!!

[subsonic]

I am surprised that it has taken this long. I know a couple UT alumni and I know they are depressed over the current state of the program.

[InTheWoods]

I was honestly shocked when they gave him such a big contract extension at the end of last year.

Who is at the top of the Vol's list of potential coaches?

[FATC1TY]

I can't stand the Vols.. as an avid Dawg(sic em!).

However, I feel sorry for Phil... He's a vol through and through.. Thats all he knows, and loves.

Kinda sad, seeing him choke up and fight back the tears at the PC.

[InTheWoods]

How 'Bout Them Dawgs!!!

Actually this year has been a tough time for us Georgia fans.

[FATC1TY]

Yeah I agree.. Let down is more like it.

I knew the expectations were way too high.. too many guys going down in the trenches and too young a guys filling it in.

Maybe next year will be kinder.

Atleast I can wear my Titleist UGA hat tomorrow and not get shit from people for it, like last week!

[JArmour]

Originally Posted by InTheWoods

I was honestly shocked when they gave him such a big contract extension at the end of last year.

Who is at the top of the Vol's list of potential coaches?

This is a RANT so read if you must.

First question. How were you shocked last year? We rolled your dogs without a fight (remember that) and took it to LSU in the SEC CG. So shocked you shouldn't have been. Even with all of the problems over the past 5 years. He's had 2, yes 2 losing seasons in 17 in the SEC. Only two years without a bowl appearance. Finished lower than 3rd in the SEC only 3 times. In this day and age with all the new SEC coaches it's all about what you've done lately. Our talent level in the trenches is not good enough for SEC play. We have plenty of talent in skill positions minus the QB. When we turn the ball over a million times you can't win. We've had the chance to win every game, except probably Florida this year. I'm not making excuses because all of those games were loses. I think the real reason Fulmer is out is the hire of Dave Clawson as OC. He came from Richmond and is completely out classed in the SEC. It's a shame because you can see what kind of impact he has on his players and future recruits.

Now I am a Fulmer backer, however, I do think it was time to make a change. I do not think they went about it in the right way. The man was all VOL, they should have let him finish it out before announcing it. I know Hamilton (AD) tried to fire up the team and get them to play and get the attendance up but he make a mistake doing it this way. They tried to keep rectruits by giving them an option to see the new coach coming in sooner than later.

Butch Davis
Lane Kiffin
Tim Brewster
Mike Leach
John Gruden----huge long shot, former GA at UT
Bill Cower--even bigger long shot but there are some rumors

I'd take Kiffin seeing as he had three top 3 recruiting classes at USC. Great coordinator there and a young guy to boot. Most people are calling for Leach or Davis, but I doubt Davis will leave UNC for anything short of the biggest contract in CF history.

[InTheWoods]

Originally Posted by JArmour

First question. How were you shocked last year?

I only saw the one question so here goes. I was shocked because, yes, Tenn beat Georgia last year but why?, Because Fulmer was coaching for his job and that is only one game, mind you. He has a great resume at Tenn, but that was over a 17 year period and those around him were getting a little antsy. I was shocked because they gave him a contract extension and then FIRED HIM 8 games later. I was shocked by what I would consider a dumb move by the school, nothing to do with Fulmer.

Look at it this way, your boss sits you down and says he is worried about your performance. You start performing almost as well as you used to. You get a HUGE raise. A few months later they fire you for the same productivity issues you were having to begin with.

It shocks me that people in the position to control those who control their football players cannot make a decision and STICK WITH IT!

[JArmour]

Originally Posted by InTheWoods

I was honestly shocked when they gave him such a big contract extension at the end of last year.

I only had one question because I got worked up and lost my train of thought.

Not being a d**k but the above it what you said. After going 10-3 in the regular season SEC with one loss being to Cal which is out of conference. So two losses in the SEC. Making it to the SEC title game and having the eventual NC on the ropes all game would be a great year for any team in the great SEC.

If any other coach in the conference had that year, they'd be talking about extensions so it really wasn't that shocking.

About the firing yes you can be shocked they fired him after an extension.

" A few months later they fire you for the same productivity issues you were having to begin with."

I don't understand this part. The same productivity issues you were having to begin with? Last season we averaged 30 ppg. The only productivity issues were with this year and the new OC.

Off to the course we'll continue this later

[InTheWoods]

Originally Posted by JArmour

we'll continue this later

Not really, I do not have a Dawg in this fight. I was just trying to pad my post count . Have fun on the links!

[mddubya]

I was die hard Fulmer supporter for years. But over the past few years it seemed to me he was wasting a lot of talent. Even the good years and wins seemed to have been done with smoke and mirrors. And the fact that he hasn't beaten the Gators in what, 5 years didn't help either. You can't lose to your arch rival that many times in a row and keep your job in any conference. There always seemed to be to big of a gap between the Vols and the top teams in the nation. Even the year they won the NC it seemed to me more because it was a down year for everyone else. That pains me to say BTW.

Last night didn't really surprise me. I knew they could finish the year either playing over their heads for the coach, or lay down. Sadly it looks as if they are going to lay down. Losing to Wyoming is pathetic.

Of your list of potential coaches JA, I think Kiffen would be the best fit! I hope and pray that UT approaches him with the check book in hand, and soon. They don't need to drag this out too long.

[FATC1TY]

They showed on ESPN, Fulmers averages as of late..

They are dramatically worse than the norm.

I feel sorry for Fulmer a little. I mean.. 17 PPG average, playinga Wyoming, a 4 touchdown favorite against them... And getting beat at Homecoming by a bottom tier Mountain West team.

Your right however, the OC and the QB's cost Fulmer his job.. but at the same time.. fulmer should have made some changes, and stop the bleeding quicker.

Leach from TT will be a no go. TT will offer that guy a boat load after this year.

[JArmour]

TT has no where close to what UT can give anyone. There is a ton of money at UT and then they tax the hell out of the residents to get what they need back. Each university has a "rainy day" fund for just this sort of thing. My sources tell me we could hire any coach available and pay them whatever they want.

The talent talk has been around for a while. I"m really a nerd when it comes to UT football but if you look at the ratings of players UT has recruited they are just as good as anyone. Now I know ratings don't meed squat on the field but as far as being players they have players. The scheme we have on both sides of the ball are terrible.

I'll agree the last things you think about UT are how bad we've been lately. If you look closer you'll see that with David Cutcliffe our record is 73-19 without him he's 73-32. He really just can't evaluate talent with OC's. Even Chavis on the D side is iffy. I mean look at his D's that were great and there were anywhere from 3-4 1st round picks that went on to be outstanding in the NFL. His schemes are terrible, playing 10 yds + off the ball on 3rd and 1.

Alright new topic please. I now have carpal tunel.