Fulmer Under Fire

I have a friend who is a Tennessee loyalist through and through.  He was brought up that way.  Travels with the team. Goes to bowl games. Attended Saturday night's game against Alabama.  My friend has multiple season tickets. Last week, he had two extras. He vowed to sell them outside Neyland Stadium before the game, but refused on multiple occasions to sell them to Alabama fans. He stuck to his guns, turning down various requests from Tide supporters hoping to see the game.  His loyalty to UT is admirable. It also has limits. His cutoff point?  The National Anthem. Once he heard it, he relented, made his tickets available to the first taker, and naturally it was an Alabama fan.

Until Saturday night, I had been firm in my belief that Phillip Fulmer's job was safe this season--even with the wolves moving closer. How, did I say, do you fire a coach who has 200 games under his belt, and has won 150 of them?  Fulmer's track record, and the complexity of managing a football program, mandates a more even-keeled approach.  Times are tough. The water is rough. But Fulmer always seems to ride it out. It was a stance I took on a Memphis radio show late last week.

Part of my belief was the notion that Fulmer hadn't lost the team. But after Saturday night, its obvious he has lost the fans (see column below)-- in way I have never seen before.

My friend sold his tickets. I've changed my mind. And Tennessee may be changing coaches.