Pondering Coaching Changes
Submitted by Jim Wogan on January 10, 2007 - 4:31am.
I'm not much for the status quo. But when it comes to Tennessee football, those calling for the head of the Vols head coach, better think twice.
I'm not here to lead a crusade to save Phillip Fulmer's job. Anyone who makes $2 million a year has plenty of supporters-- most of them also making $2 million a year. And yes, I agree, a coach in that income bracket is expected to produce OUTSTANDING results. On, and off the field.
The price to hire a proven head coach just went up-- substantially. Ask Alabama. They're paying 4-million to Nick Saban.
Each time the Vols stumble, the airwaves rumble with big names UT could hire as their next head coach-- guys from outside the so-called UT family. Spurrier, Saban, Petrino, Schiano, Weis, Carroll-- guys whose names have, or will, come-up each time there's major college or NFL opening. Great, just what UT needs, a big name guy who's always chasing the next big job. UT athletics director Mike Hamilton has plenty of headaches. He doesn't need that one.
What about a successful mid-major guy? Hamilton hit a home run hiring Bruce Pearl from Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Ohio State took a chance on Jim Tressell, and despite last night, THAT hire worked out reasonably well.
But college football's a different business. Hiring a head coach from Northwest-Southeast State is a risk Hamilton shouldn't, and in reality, won't take.
At the start of 2006, doomsdayers predicting an bad year suggested this could be Fulmer's final season. NINE wins later, it seems UNFAIR AND UNREASONABLE.. TO SUGGEST THE SAME.
Fulmer's bowl record is pedestrian. And he's also fortunate he doesn't have an annnual do-or-die game with an in-state rival. Ask Mike Shula what that's all about.
Unless your name is Bill Gates or Warren Buffett, your job performance is always up for review. ESPECIALLY at $2-million per. Fulmer gets his job review every day. All he needs to do is turn on the radio, or open the newspaper, or heaven forbid, watch my sportscast.
Eight win seasons and more bowl losses might require a future change. If it happens, hold on tight UT fans, just like the stock market, past performance doesn't guarantee future succcess.
If all of these KNOW it alls
If all of these KNOW it alls KNOW it all, why are they not COACHING somewhere? instead of sitting at the computer sending emails?
My problem is with the
My problem is with the recruiting and push of players not at the caliber of player we normally put on the field at UT. Where are the Peytons and Heaths and Pickens and Lewi's and Stephens, Cobbs, all the players that were classic players and not the punks that keep getting into trouble or being so dumb they forget to REGISTER FOR CLASS!
I want to see better recuritment, and smarter decision making on the field. I dont like Fulmer but if the team is being built and staffed like it used to get staffed, I dont care who the head coach is. The coach needs to listen to the assistants as well. They know their players. Thats why the head coach brought them on. It doesnt APPEAR to me anyway, that he shows that type of trust in them. SInce Sanders exit, thats the way it looks anyway to me. GO vols.
He makes an elite salary
He makes an elite salary Pat, and in a twelve game season 9 wins isn't going to cut it.
Spare me the moral victory of losing to Florida by one point, it's still a loss and I am curious as to why you didn't mention barely scraping by Kentucky and Air Force?
This is the University of Tennessee, not the University of Fulmer. No one expects a national championship, but how about one, just one SEC crown this century?
You are worried about us getting the rep as whiners? Well we already got a rep...it's called has-beens with an overinflated self-view. The Vols are 14-10 the last two seasons.
What in the world is wrong
What in the world is wrong with UT Fans, Coach Fulmer has had great seasons here, When a coach wins 9 or 10 games a season, let him alone!! He is doing a great job. Especially when he lost half of his starters at the first of the year. FL only beat us by 1 (one) point. Now they are National Champs. You can't have a National Championship every year and the way the BCS is you are lucky if you ever have one. I am a loyal UT Fan, but I hate it when some stupid people are not loyal to their coach. Maybe if you stupid people showed him more respect he could do a better job. We are going to get (if we haven't already) the rep for being whiners and no one with any sense would dare come here just to get slapped in the face after a few years. For God's sake, grow up!!!
As an Alabama fan I want to
As an Alabama fan I want to know, why would you Tennessee fans want to fire FAT Phil? He's had a winning season every year, he has real good coaches, and usually they go to a bowl game every year. I really feel sorry for him because all the boys can't be like Peyton and my heart goes out to him every time one of the ball players go BRAIN DEAD! give him a break. at least he's not as bad as some suggest and if you had Mal Moore he would have been fired last year. do you want to trade for Hamilton. Now on Wogan's comments.
Alabama Football is run by one rule and one rule only, you have to beat the Cow College 'Auburn" every year or even if your name is Saint Nick the Alabama Mafia will get rid of you. We just paid 4 mill a year for him. We let Tennessee win every few years just to keep their pride up but if you can't beat the Cow college your gone. that's what happened this year.
So lay off Fat Phil and his staff, they are just trying to keep the boys out of JAIL and beat Florida.
I think Fulmer shoud be
I think Fulmer shoud be fired and all of his assistants should go with him.
IHe has created a "Good Buddy" club at UT and all he cares about is getting enough wins to get a raise and to hang on to his job.
The bottom line is he's not
The bottom line is he's not getting it done. Do you think Ohio State regrets getting rid of Cooper? His record was pretty good as well in his last few seasons but he couldn't get it done against his rivals.
So goes it with Phil. Thank Heavens for Zook, or that 5-10 vs Florida would be a lot worse.
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