I think by now most everyone has heard that six Volunteers will miss the Outback Bowl due to grade issues. Three of the players were starters: Lucas Taylor, Rico McCoy and Demonte Bolden. The list also includes Chris Donald, Ricardo Kemp, and Kenny O’Neal.
Many have been quick to jump on Fulmer and the coaching staff for a lack of control and for not being on top of this situation sooner. However, according to Doug Matthews, a radio personality in Nashville and former Tennessee position coach and defensive coordinator, that may not be a fair assessment.
Matthews contends that the University decided to take the academic control away from the Athletic Department several years ago. The old rules allowed the coaches to be involved in this process to monitor a student’s progress but that is no longer the case. According to him, coaches aren’t allowed to even speak to the professors and therefore are “handcuffed by what the rules will allow them to do”. He wasn’t sure exactly who is responsible but this would mean it is someone outside of the Athletic Department.
I expect we might hear more about this in the near future. I’d be interested to find out for sure exactly how this all works and exactly what role, if any, the coaches are allowed to have.
Coaching Search
I’m not certain who the other two coaches might be at this point but Doug Matthews stated that there might be as few as two or as many as six vacated coaching positions on the Tennessee staff. I have a hunch that one or two of those in question might be on the defensive side.
I’ll also mention, that Chris Low said yesterday that he doesn’t believe the timing is right for either Kippy Brown or Doug Marrone to come to Tennessee. That’s just his opinion but Chris certainly has a good track record of being pretty accurate.
I really don’t know what to make of the Rob Spence interview. Spence is currently the Offensive Coordinator at Clemson but as previously turned job offers from Alabama and Minnesota. Both were more money than he is currently making ($207,000). Rumor has it that Tommy Bowden is reviewing the salaries of his staff and Spence may be due for a raise. Could he be using the interview process to get a salary bump from the Tigers?
3 responses to “Grade Issues not the Coaches Fault?”
“He wasn’t sure exactly who is responsible but this would mean it is someone outside of the Athletic Department.”
Uhh, that’s the easiest one of the day. The responsibility lies 100% on the adult males who have been graciously given phenomenal free higher education by the taxpayers of the State of Tennessee.
Adjusting to University life, independence, and developing good study habits is not easy. But with the kind of props offered by UT and every other SEC program, these me have no excuse. Absolutely none!
No scapegoats necessary. We have six already.
I can tolerate the grade issue much easier than an issue with behavior or drug usage. The most perplexing issue I have with the grade problem is that McCoy and Taylor are upper classmen and should have this college thing under control.
Pat, I don’t disagree. Without question, ultimately the students are responsible for their own grades. However, the coaches have a lot invested in these student athletes and I still believe a monitoring system helps everyone involved.
Tim, I thought the same thing. It’s shocking. McCoy and Taylor have been around long enough to know how it all works.