Wogan on Sports

Vols Break Family Tradition

Jim Wogan — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:42:35 -0500

To say Phillip Fulmer hasn't gone outside the Tennessee family to hire assistant coaches isn't true. It's happened many times. But this week's hiring of Dave Clawson as the Vols' new offensive coordinator is a landmark.

For the first time in decades, the guy at the other end of the headsets on game day won't have an extensive Tennessee background. David Cutcliffe did. Randy Sanders did.

It was foolish to believe Fulmer was ready for a wholesale change in his offensive philosophy. I never bought into that and Clawson's hire confirms it. His arrival in Knoxville was borne of necessity, but it also reaffirms Fulmer's approach to scoring points. Tennessee will do it their way. Clawson fits.

This week's hiring of Florida running backs coach Stan Drayton was the first clue Clawson was coming to Knoxville. Both worked together at Villanova.

Fulmer's not afraid to adapt. Expect more Gerald Jones option-type plays next season. But while elements of the spread-option offense may be popular in some places-- it's not sweeping into Knoxville just yet. Clawson is, and Fulmer made the right move.

Biggest Local Sports Stories

Jim Wogan — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 23:07:28 -0500

In the words of Jimmy Buffett, "I've got too much to see waiting in front of me". I really try to abide by that. So with that in mind, I'll only offer a brief look back at the local sports landscape in 2007. Here are what I consider the 10 biggest sports stories of the past year:

I won't rank them. I will leave that for you. Which story was the biggest?

Peyton Manning Wins Super Bowl
UT Men's Basketball Makes NCAA Sweet 16, Before Losing to Ohio State
Lady Vols Win 7th National Title
Smokies Become Chicago Cubs Affiliate
Rod Delmonico Fired as UT Baseball Coach
Vols Basketball Legend Ray Mears Dead at 80
Monica Abbott Leads Lady Vols To NCAA World Series, Sets NCAA Pitching Records
UT Football Flounders, Recovers, Makes SEC Game, Saves Fulmer's Job
Todd Helton Plays In World Series
David Cutcliffe Leaves Vols, Becomes Duke Head Football Coach

Bowl Repeat Not Good For Vols

Jim Wogan — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 23:15:53 -0500

The Vols are glad to be going to the Outback Bowl in Tampa again, but recent history shows this may not be good. The Vols have gone back-to-back in bowl games three times since 1999. Their repeat trips have been dismal.

1998: Fiesta Bowl (Win)
1999: Fiesta Bowl (Loss)

2002: Peach Bowl (Loss)
2003: Peach Bowl (Loss)

2007: Outback Bowl (Loss)
2008: Outback Bowl (TBD)

The Vols did have success in 1996 and 1997, with repeat trips to the Citrus Bowl-- they beat Ohio State and Northwestern.

Vols Play for SEC Title

Jim Wogan — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 09:08:41 -0500

It was simply one of the most thrilling games I've witnessed. And that covers a lot of years. Given all the circumstances, the Vols 52-50 win over Kentucky in four overtimes will go down as one of the biggest in UT football history.

Tennessee's defense had former Heisman candidate Andre Woodson dazed and confused in the first half. UT ended the game with six sacks, and their most important tackle coming on a 2-point play that would have sent the game to a fifth overtime.

Always accurate Erik Ainge finally came through with a signature win. He set a school record with seven touchdown passes.

The Vols weren't perfect. They allowed Kentucky to climb back into the game after leading 24-7 at the half. Tennessee's defense also had two chances to seal a win in regulation-- but allowed the Wildcats to drive for the game-tying field goal with one second to play.

Perfection wasn't necessary. In a season where the Vols suffered three humiliating losses, and with Phillip Fulmer's job security in question-- the Vols have rebounded nicely. Saturday, they face LSU in a game that, given the way this college football season has gone-- they could wind-up winning.

Football Playoffs And Coach Security

Jim Wogan — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 17:48:58 -0500

Playoff Debate

For anyone who thinks a college football playoff system is the fair and balanced way to end the national championship debate-- please cast your eyes toward Jefferson City. After ending their season with a 10-1 record, the Carson-Newman Eagles were shut-out of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Big deal, you say? It is. In fact, I've already received one email from an East Tennessee soldier stationed in Iraq wondering-- what's up with the decision to keep this college football power on the sidelines during the postseason. The coaches, fans, and administrators at CN aren't happy either.

The NCAA has a rather convoluted method for selecting it's playoff teams. The debate rages on even without bowl games and BCS formulas. I want major college football to utilize a playoff system. But if we think that will end the debate and hard feelings-- we're all wrong.

Fulmer Follies

The win over Arkansas has taken the heat off Phillip Fulmer, and ended talk of his possible departure. In a twisted way, I suspect there are some UT fans out there actually rooting against the Vols-- to further exacerbate the pressure on Fulmer. I know, it sounds crazy. But I've heard it a lot lately. I love UT football so much, it's time for a change, they write.

The Vols could wind-up 9-3 heading to the SEC title game. In a remarkable turnaround after a disasterous September, UT could finish the season 11-3 by winning a BCS game.

One of Fulmer's favorite phrases is, tough times don't last, tough people do. Fulmer's a pretty tough guy. He's been at this for fifteen seasons now. I suspect sixteen is a good bet.

A Walk In The Woods

Fulmer's family likes to hike. So does Wogan's. Although our paths have never crossed on the trail, nothing beats the beauty of East Tennessee on a glorious November afternoon. The Little Greebrier trail traverses a ridge that borders the Great Smoky Mountain National Park near Wear's Valley. Not the toughest hike we've done. Although we did heed the NPS signs, and stayed off the trails warning of bear activity.

Vols Can't Celebrate

Jim Wogan — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 17:53:51 -0500

Saturday's 59-7 win against Louisiana-Lafayette was the Vols feel good game of the year. But that euphoria won't last long, especially if you saw what Arkansas did to South Carolina later that night. The Razorbacks #2 running back rushed for 163 yards and three touchdowns. And Felix Jones wasn't even close to what Darrin McFadden did. The Razorback's #1 back rushed for 323 yards and-- just like last year against Tennessee-- THREW for a touchdown. Don't think THAT didn't catch the attention of UT coaches watching the game.

Arkansas leads the SEC in scoring and rushing offense. The Vols are near the bottom of the conference in stopping the run. Tennessee's SEC division title bubble may burst this weekend at Neyland Stadium. The raw numbers indicate disaster is ahead.

After Saturday's win, Vols Head Coach Phillip Fulmer was happy, but realistic. "We have bigger fish to fry", said the coach. He's right. With three SEC games left, the Vols won't celebrate Saturday's win too long. All they have to do, is watch the Arkansas tape to see why.

Vol Vibrations and Pop Culture

Jim Wogan — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 05:32:17 -0400

Some random mid-October thoughts:

Hip Phrases

When did "random" become a hip everyday phrase? As in, I bumped into George Bush at the supermarket on Sunday. Random, huh?

That TV Thing Again

The Vols are playing better football, but they're still not prime time material. CBS has opted out of televising this weekend's game against Alabama. The announcement comes a week after the Vols were left high-and-dry, and only available on pay-per-view, for the Mississippi State game.

The Vols-Bama game has been televised nationally by CBS, ABC, or ESPN-- every year since 1989. Vol fans can still watch this week's game on Lincoln Financial Sports-- so long as you live in the Southeast. If you're a living in Portland-- Maine or Oregon, it doesn't matter--you may be out of luck.

Of course, there's always the internet and sometimes ESPN GamePlan picks-up regional telecasts-- for a fee. Turns out, the Vols aren't prime time -- it's more like prime rate.

Out In The Cold

The new UT basketball practice complex looks great-- on video. With construction of Pratt Pavilion incomplete, the media isn't allowed inside the new $16 million dollar facility. Please don't let other coaches know about this! Next thing, we'll be barred from football practice due to (wink-wink) dry field conditions.

UT's ace video services staff shot highlights of the first practices for us. It was a nice gesture, but frankly, I thought our hard heads would be acceptable replacements for hard hats.

Pearl Power

Another sign UT men's head coach Bruce Pearl really does own this town. Check out the six-page feature story in this week's Sports Illustrated. He even made the front cover (banner). A few months after Pearl arrived in Knoxville, and before the bandwagon started rolling, I was convinced Athletic Director Mike Hamilton hit a home run with his hire. Now, it's looking more like a bases-loaded grand slam!

Pearl did a wonderful job in a recent interview (not SI) addressing the high expectations placed on this year's team. Pearl agreed the Vols may be capable of challenging for a national title-- but actually doing it is different. I know, it sounds lame. But, as usual, Pearl sold it.

Arena Odor

Thompson-Boling Arena debuts its new $20 million redesign next week--- with-- are you ready for this? A circus! Yep, complete with clowns and elephants! How did that happen? Last thing I want parading around the new basketball arena are 2 ton pachyderms that, well, need a guy with a shovel following close by. They've got two-weeks to air-out the place before the Vols and Lady Vols take the court.

Helton's Postseason

Former Vol Todd Helton has three hits in the postseason. But his play at 1st base has been (as usual) remarkable. Helton is a 3-time Gold Glover who often gets more attention for his bat, than his defense. Don't let the lack of hits deceive you. Helton has drawn walks and scored runs. He's no longer the only key player on the Rockies. He's sharing the spotlight with guys like Holliday, Tulowitzki, and Atkins. And he's enjoying it. The Rockies are one-win away from the World Series! How random is that!?

Vols Flunk TV Test

Jim Wogan — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 05:48:45 -0400

Apparently the Vols 2-2 start has scared off television executives. In the world of college football telecasts, Tennessee used to be a prime time player. But now they can't even play their way into a mid-afternoon appearance on a regional network.

The UT Sports Information Department issued a release last night announcing the Vols will play Mississippi State on October 13th, at 1:30pm CT. Later in the release, it was mentioned that none of the SEC's broadcast partners have elected to air the game.

CBS will carry LSU vs. Kentucky. ABC will air South Carolina vs. North Carolina. ESPN opted for Auburn vs. Arkansas. ESPN2 grabbed Georgia vs. Vanderbilt. Lincoln Financial Network wanted Alabama vs. Ole Miss. ESPN Deportes wasn't even interested. OK, I know. They air soccer. But you get the idea.

Are you counting? That's 10 (out of 12) SEC teams that make television appearances that week. The Vols aren't one of them.

Apologists will argue that Mississippi State doesn't make for an attractive matchup, and they're right. But the Vols share half the blame. Remember, it's the same Mississippi State team that upset Auburn a few weeks ago-- so it's not all the Bulldog's fault.

Apologists will also argue that the Vols ARE on TV against Georgia and Alabama in upcoming games. And if they win, the South Carolina game will also be televised. But right now, UT football is riding the coat-tails of those programs.

If you're a Tennessee fan, that's a tough pill to swallow. But TV is a very tough business-- as the Vols are finding out.

Helton Makes Playoffs

Jim Wogan — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 05:24:26 -0400

When I saw former Vol Todd Helton in San Francisco four weeks ago, the Rockies were 6 games out of first place, with only a slim chance to make the Major League playoffs.

The reason for our meeting was to produce a story on Todd's Tennessee football connection. The Vols were playing Cal in Berkeley-- just 15 miles away. Helton was playing a three game series against the San Francisco Giants that same week. It was a timely convergence.

What the Rockies have done this month has been nothing short of remarkable. The won thirteen of fourteen games to force a one-game playoff with San Diego. And last night, they scored three runs in the 13th inning--off one of the best closers in the history of baseball--to win the game!

While Helton hit a solo home run in the 3rd to help his team-- the Rockies won the game thanks to good, young players that are rising to the occasion around him. After 11 years, Helton finally has a team that could contend for a while, and he didn't have to leave Denver to do it.

Helton came close to being a former Rockie in the off-season. He stayed, and now the only place he's going is to Philadelphia-- to start the Major League Baseball playoffs.

The Vols Can't Change Now

Jim Wogan — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 02:09:12 -0400

I realize I'm late getting this posted. It's taken me two days to find the imposter who commandeered my blog and said the Vols were likely to beat Florida. Let's just say, we won't hear from that person again.
Saturday was brutal.

Selfishly, the only good thing I can say about the Vols 39-point loss is that I wasn't there. I've been in Gainesivlle for a few miserable games, and, in fairness to UT's coaching staff, I've been there for a few thrilling wins (December 1, 2001 was one of the most memorable).

Clearly, the Vols have played two very good football teams. Florida is ranked 3rd nationally, and Cal is now ranked 6th. Equally as clear-- is this. The Vols need to rethink the way they approach the game. And that won't be easy.

Florida isn't going away. They've taken the speed-game to a whole new level. All SEC teams will have to adapt. Tennessee among them.

What's scary is this-- the Vols face more teams that have shown a knack for scoring a lot of points. Alabama, Kentucky, and Georgia. Oh yeah, and then there's Spurrier.

Bottom line, Tennessee's defense is not good. They're not deep. They're not fast. And they're outmanned. Their special teams play is atrocious. Their offense shows no signs of a serious running game.

Fulmer says it's time to stay the course. He's right. At this point, it might be too late for anything else.