Fulmer is still the best name.

[Big_Orange_Fan]

It's not that we can't, it's that we shouldn't. K-State football basically depends on Snyder. That's the difference. There are people here who thinks Tennessee football depends on Fulmer, too, and those people are the problem. They're Fulmer fans more than Tennessee fans.

No, I'm a VOL all the way.

But I also realize at this time you need some stability for the program. Gambling is not going going to help us. Every great coach has had some connection before we hired them. We need some stability now and find a younger coach that can take over in a few years. If we win then let Fulmer stay till we see him start to slip. Then give him an opportunity to name his successor (preferable a ex-Vol) and step off into retirement with pride.

That sounds better than dropping 4-5 mil a coach that has no ties, no loyalties to UT at all. Then we can hope they can win. Include the buyouts if they fail and hiring of another coach.

I don't know if you understand, but these choices effect our kids that play for UT. To them they are each others second family and sometimes first family. If you expect them to win they have to buy into it. They have been through to much already because all we care about is winning.

We need to win but we owe these kids some stability. Remember these are 18-23 year old kids. You can't just tell them ok we are giving coach 3-4 years if he doesn't win we are going to fire him. The kid's will never fully buy in. If they do buy in it will be because they love the coach and how much pressure does that put on our kid's.
These kids came to play for us and we owe them some stability.

I don't know it's JMO

 

[Big_Orange_Fan]

He was staying regardless. That team had no depth and no defense from the very beginning; they had no business in the top 10. He maybe should have been 8-4 or 9-3, but all the national title talk was a result of outsized expectations he created when he beat Oregon last year.

lol keep telling yourself that. I'm in LA right now and know people close to it. He sacrificed his dad for 1 more year. He was told either Monte goes or you both go. That's why Monte left to save face ... lol

 

[WinchesterVol]

Anyone thinks that Fulmer with Chavis and our present offensive staff wouldn't be successful has their head in the sand. Any head coach will only go so far as their staff will take them. Fulmer is a Hall of Fame coach for a reason, rest of the country knows what a good coach is, can't say much for the Fulmer haters.

I was one of you wanting a change, I admit it, but like life in general, hind sight is 20/20, I now see we screwed up.

Why do you think coaches are scared of Tennessee? They see what we did to Fulmer and wander what in the hell would they do to me. That is the primary reason we are having problems finding a coach. Yes we got Kiffin and Dooley because they both were desperate and couldn't get a decent job on merit. Before we hire some google coach, I would welcome Coach Fulmer back provided he could bring Chief back with him.
By the way he is the only coach that has stated Tennessee is a great job and he would take it.
I am from Winchester, Fulmer's hometown, and have a member of his family working for me also. I know Coach Fulmer has had many offers but declined them because they don't compare to Tennessee including two SEC schools so those saying he hasn't got any offers from other schools don't know what they are talking about.

 

[NashVol11]

LSU went 4-7 in 1998 and 3-8 in 1999. Did they decide that they needed to take baby steps and get back to 8-4 before they tried to hire a great coach? No, they went after the guy they thought could win titles rather than some guy they already knew was mediocre. It could have backfired, sure, but that's how winning programs work. We shoot for greatness until it works, not mediocrity in the meantime.

 

[NashVol11]

lol keep telling yourself that. I'm in LA right now and know people close to it. He sacrificed his dad for 1 more year. He was told either Monte goes or you both go. That's why Monte left to save face ... lol

I know plenty of people around that program as well. Monte did leave to avoid the awkward situation of his son needing to fire him, but Lane Kiffin was never going to be fired this offseason.

By the way, he had a better season in 2011 than any season Fulmer's had since 2001. So it's pretty funny that you're saying he should be gone but Fulmer needed more time.

 

[Big_Orange_Fan]

LSU went 4-7 in 1998 and 3-8 in 1999. Did they decide that they needed to take baby steps and get back to 8-4 before they tried to hire a great coach? No, they went after the guy they thought could win titles rather than some guy they already knew was mediocre. It could have backfired, sure, but that's how winning programs work. We shoot for greatness until it works, not mediocrity in the meantime.

Is this fair to the kids that have been through 3+ coaches?

Is it worth the gamble?

 

[NashVol11]

Is this fair to the kids that have been through 3+ coaches?

Is it worth the gamble?

It's more fair than anything else, because it shows that we're committed to winning championships rather than being committed to going 8-4.

 

[LebanonVolunteer]

It's more fair than anything else, because it shows that we're committed to winning championships rather than being committed to going 8-4.

I bet there are alot of kids on that team(especially SRs who would have done anything to go 8-4 this year and be playing in a decent bowl game. Maybe YOU would not be ok with that. Stacking up 5-7 seasons is much better as long as you keep hiring guys who MAY improve the team. When we are still trying to find a coach to do better than 9-10 wins in 2020, maybe people will realize what we tossed aside.

 

[NashVol11]

In fact, showing kids we're committed to mediocrity and that our goal is 3rd in the SEC East is about the most unfair thing we can do. If that's the case, we may as well be Ole Miss.

 

[NashVol11]

I bet there are alot of kids on that team(especially SRs who would have done anything to go 8-4 this year and be playing in a decent bowl game. Maybe YOU would not be ok with that. Stacking up 5-7 seasons is much better as long as you keep hiring guys who MAY improve the team. When we are still trying to find a coach to do better than 9-10 wins in 2020, maybe people will realize what we tossed aside.

I'm never going to forget this group of seniors because of the adversity they played through. That's why we owe it to them to set a goal higher than 8-5, which was Fulmer's average record toward the end of his tenure.

Our only 5-7 seasons have come under perhaps the worst coach in SEC history, and Fulmer. You act like there's no way we're getting back to 8-4 in the next decade with anyone other than Fulmer. It's statements like that that make me think you're a Fulmer fan more than a Tennessee fan.

 

[LebanonVolunteer]

I just know what four or five 8-5, 9-4, or 10-3 seasons would mean to the stability and overall image of this program. Fulmer has proven many times he is very capable of those type seasons. ending the year in the top 25 would do alot for this program. Right now UT is a joke to most of the country. Looking to hire some OC or DC from the NFL or some mid major guy who has won 55% of his games sets us up for more losing. If I knew hiring Fulmer would get us 5 straight bowl games and land us in the top 25 at least 3 times to end the next 5 years, I would take it today. Maybe he proves alot of people wrong and he wins another SEC title or better. Maybe he does what alot expect and he wins 7-9 games a year and we play some bowl games and these kids can win for a change. Either way, 5 years from now we could look for a roll the dice coach with a much stronger foundation.

 

[Big_Orange_Fan]

I know plenty of people around that program as well. Monte did leave to avoid the awkward situation of his son needing to fire him, but Lane Kiffin was never going to be fired this offseason.

By the way, he had a better season in 2011 than any season Fulmer's had since 2001. So it's pretty funny that you're saying he should be gone but Fulmer needed more time.

well he hasn't had quit the same year and to be honest I hate that SOB. I hope he falls flat on his a**. I can't wait for him to get fired.

And for you to argue anything anything in his favor ... well were just different kinda fans I guess.

I hate Kiffen right next to Bama!!!

 

[ThePriceofGas]

Fulmer >>>>>>> Jones

 

[Big_Orange_Fan]

I'm happy now .. no more need to argue ... it's all up to the AD now. Majority believe it was a mistake. There will always be those who are stubborn and will never change their mind and that's fine. we can agree to disagree.

Poll: Should Tennessee consider re-hiring Phillip Fulmer? : Knoxville Polls Archive : Knoxville News Sentinel: Local Knoxville, Tennessee News Delivered Throughout the Day.

Fulmer winning 60%

 

[NashVol11]

I just know what four or five 8-5, 9-4, or 10-3 seasons would mean to the stability and overall image of this program. Fulmer has proven many times he is very capable of those type seasons. ending the year in the top 25 would do alot for this program. Right now UT is a joke to most of the country. Looking to hire some OC or DC from the NFL or some mid major guy who has won 55% of his games sets us up for more losing. If I knew hiring Fulmer would get us 5 straight bowl games and land us in the top 25 at least 3 times to end the next 5 years, I would take it today. Maybe he proves alot of people wrong and he wins another SEC title or better. Maybe he does what alot expect and he wins 7-9 games a year and we play some bowl games and these kids can win for a change. Either way, 5 years from now we could look for a roll the dice coach with a much stronger foundation.

The main problem with this outlook is the assumption that having a better record will make Tennessee a better job.

But I'll humor you. 5 years into the future, do you think Fulmer is going to bow out gracefully on the heels of an 8-5 type season? What do you think our record is going to look like in his last season here?

 

[NashVol11]

I'm happy now .. no more need to argue ... it's all up to the AD now. Majority believe it was a mistake. There will always be those who are stubborn and will never change their mind and that's fine. we can agree to disagree.

Poll: Should Tennessee consider re-hiring Phillip Fulmer? : Knoxville Polls Archive : Knoxville News Sentinel: Local Knoxville, Tennessee News Delivered Throughout the Day.

Fulmer winning 60%

There's a reason these questions only get asked by Knoxville media and never on, say, ESPN.

 

[LebanonVolunteer]

The main problem with this outlook is the assumption that having a better record will make Tennessee a better job.

But I'll humor you. 5 years into the future, do you think Fulmer is going to bow out gracefully on the heels of an 8-5 type season? What do you think our record is going to look like in his last season here?

I have no idea what the record would be and neither do you. What I do know is the man is a proven winner on the largest stage in college football. He has done it.

If Dave Hart decided to hire Fulmer on a 5 year deal and Phil knew the deal was for 5 years, I see no issue. If in his 2nd or 3rd year we win 10-11 games and Hart feels the need to extend the deal that would be his move. If Fulmer had a 4-5 win season in his 3rd, 4th, or 5th year I doubt he would question his being replaced at the end of the deal. He knew what the deal was when he took the job. Giving PF a chance to go out the right way to me is just about priceless to the man. I just can't see him letting us down. IF he took the job, I think we would be surprised at the end results. JMO of course.

 

[LebanonVolunteer]

I'm happy now .. no more need to argue ... it's all up to the AD now. Majority believe it was a mistake. There will always be those who are stubborn and will never change their mind and that's fine. we can agree to disagree.

Poll: Should Tennessee consider re-hiring Phillip Fulmer? : Knoxville Polls Archive : Knoxville News Sentinel: Local Knoxville, Tennessee News Delivered Throughout the Day.

Fulmer winning 60%

Shows there are alot more Fulmer supporters out there than alot of people let on. Hart needs to at least interview the man and IMO Hart could tell right then if the fire is there. If Fulmer is willing to put his name back on the line, I would give him the chance to right the way things went down in 2008.

 

[NashVol11]

I have no idea what the record would be and neither do you. What I do know is the man is a proven winner on the largest stage in college football. He has done it.

If Dave Hart decided to hire Fulmer on a 5 year deal and Phil knew the deal was for 5 years, I see no issue. If in his 2nd or 3rd year we win 10-11 games and Hart feels the need to extend the deal that would be his move. If Fulmer had a 4-5 win season in his 3rd, 4th, or 5th year I doubt he would question his being replaced at the end of the deal. He knew what the deal was when he took the job. Giving PF a chance to go out the right way to me is just about priceless to the man. I just can't see him letting us down. IF he took the job, I think we would be surprised at the end results. JMO of course.

Suppose Fulmer has a huge ego (he does) and always thinks he's right on the bring of getting back to where we were in the '90s. If he doesn't want to ride off into the sunset, here's how the last year of the deal would go. Either:

1. He wins 8-9 games, fans scream for an extension and we do it, thus basically telling the world that we not only approve of, but reward mediocrity. We're essentially accepting that 3rd in the East is where we belong.

2. He goes 5-7 or something, and since we have the same record as 2012 we're essentially right back where we are right now--with 5 wasted years in between. Taking over a 5-7 team in 2017 isn't going to be any more attractive than taking over a 5-7 team in 2012, no matter how many 8-win seasons we have in between. The only difference is that we'll be even more irrelevant, because we'll be even further removed from the days where we actually won SEC titles.

3. He wins 8-9 games, fans scream for an extension and we force him out anyway. Then, you still have the same fans saying we should have given him one more year or five more years or ten more years or as long as he wants, and that part of the fanbase stays just as obsessed with Fulmer as they are now.

Looks like a lose-lose-lose to me. The problem is that our fanbase has already accepted mediocrity. They're fine with 8 wins and 9 wins. I don't want to give that kind of thinking any chance to last--or worse, to deepen and spread to the people who actually have the power to make decisions.

 

[Big_Orange_Fan]

Suppose Fulmer has a huge ego (he does) and always thinks he's right on the bring of getting back to where we were in the '90s. If he doesn't want to ride off into the sunset, here's how the last year of the deal would go. Either:

1. He wins 8-9 games, fans scream for an extension and we do it, thus basically telling the world that we not only approve of, but reward mediocrity. We're essentially accepting that 3rd in the East is where we belong.

2. He goes 5-7 or something, and since we have the same record as 2012 we're essentially right back where we are right now--with 5 wasted years in between. Taking over a 5-7 team in 2017 isn't going to be any more attractive than taking over a 5-7 team in 2012, no matter how many 8-win seasons we have in between. The only difference is that we'll be even more irrelevant, because we'll be even further removed from the days where we actually won SEC titles.

3. He wins 8-9 games, fans scream for an extension and we force him out anyway. Then, you still have the same fans saying we should have given him one more year or five more years or ten more years or as long as he wants, and that part of the fanbase stays just as obsessed with Fulmer as they are now.

Looks like a lose-lose-lose to me. The problem is that our fanbase has already accepted mediocrity. They're fine with 8 wins and 9 wins. I don't want to give that kind of thinking any chance to last--or worse, to deepen and spread to the people who actually have the power to make decisions.

Well I always said from day 1 that I wanted the best coach we could get.

I also said we didn't need to gamble anymore.

Those that told me that anything would be an upgrade compared to Dooley.


1. Hart managed to find the guy that gave Dooley his signature win.
2. Jones needs a record of 102-25 to catch Fulmers record. (for comparison)
3. Fulmer > Kiffen > Dooley > Jones .... Dooley beat Jones so until he proves something. I have to go off the facts
4. Jones is a big gamble considering our competition.
5. You have way to much faith in the AD.

In 60yrs vols avg record w/o fulmer is 7.06 wins per yr. With fulmer its 9.25 per yr

Well with that being said I hope Coach Jones finds success here. I will show my support and give them my donation as usual.

Good Luck Coach Jones!!

GO BIG ORANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Wilhelm16]

Suppose Fulmer has a huge ego (he does) and always thinks he's right on the bring of getting back to where we were in the '90s. If he doesn't want to ride off into the sunset, here's how the last year of the deal would go. Either:

1. He wins 8-9 games, fans scream for an extension and we do it, thus basically telling the world that we not only approve of, but reward mediocrity. We're essentially accepting that 3rd in the East is where we belong.

2. He goes 5-7 or something, and since we have the same record as 2012 we're essentially right back where we are right now--with 5 wasted years in between. Taking over a 5-7 team in 2017 isn't going to be any more attractive than taking over a 5-7 team in 2012, no matter how many 8-win seasons we have in between. The only difference is that we'll be even more irrelevant, because we'll be even further removed from the days where we actually won SEC titles.

3. He wins 8-9 games, fans scream for an extension and we force him out anyway. Then, you still have the same fans saying we should have given him one more year or five more years or ten more years or as long as he wants, and that part of the fanbase stays just as obsessed with Fulmer as they are now.

Looks like a lose-lose-lose to me. The problem is that our fanbase has already accepted mediocrity. They're fine with 8 wins and 9 wins. I don't want to give that kind of thinking any chance to last--or worse, to deepen and spread to the people who actually have the power to make decisions.

9 wins is mediocre? Good to know.