Fire Phil- Nonsense!

I should rename this column mrswoganonsports.   When I returned home after the UT-Florida game, at 2:30am Sunday, mrswogan was awake.  I was ready for quiet time. She was ready to breakdown why the Vols lost to the Gators.  We were up until 4am (and still made mass at 9).

This illustrated two things.  First, it's one example of why our marriage has latested 26 years. She's a sports fan too (ok, not just for that reason). Second, it shows how deeply the Vols cut into everyday life around here.

To show how smart she is, mrswogan never mentioned firing the coach.  She knows doing that, plain and simple, is nonsense.

One thing discussed was the absence of David Cutcliffe.  The longtime Vol assistant had his supporters-- and admittedly some detractors. Phillip Fulmer and Cutcliffe are good friends.  It's a good bet the phone line between Knoxville and Durham, NC was busy last week.  Duke was off.  I am certain Cutcliffe was watching.  You can't convince me UT (and Jon Crompton) doesn't miss him. 

Those who want Phil gone are, in part, intoxicated by the recent hire of Bruce Pearl.  It has worked fabulously.  But it is not the same.  The Vol basketball program was mostly mired in mediocrity for more than a decade.  It had nowhere to go but up. Thompson-Boling Arena was nearly empty on most game nights. 

Tennessee Athletics Director Mike Hamilton will have to think long and hard before pulling the plug on Fulmer-- an established and respected coach with a proven track record.  Nevermind tradition, family-ties, five SEC title games, and that '98 national title-- Fulmer is running a program that puts more than 100,000 fans into a stadium on most game weekends.  That's a big fire to be messin' with.  

Even bigger, who out there will Hamilton turn to?  I haven't heard one option that makes sense. 

Fulmer can coach. Always could.  So can his staff.  

Should UT fans expect more?  You bet.   Fulmer makes a ton of money.   Forget 2005.  The Vols could lose more games this year.  If that happens, I don't think Fulmer deserves to go.  Back-to-back losing seasons, and all bets are off.  Right now, firing Fulmer is nonsense.