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twicevolalum writes:

in response to The_Mayor:

UT's football program lost all respect by the way the Fulmer release debacle took place and the shameful manner in which Mike Hamilton handled it. I am the first to say that Fulmer was past his prime and ready to retire. He is arguably the greatest Vol to ever don orange in the history of the program. Who has given more of their life to the University of Tennessee than Phillip Fulmer? The number he put up cannot be disputed. The success he had as a leader of the program (not just the coach of the team, but the developer of a greatly successful program, a family, a great business, a wholesome place that we all fell in love with). He deserved to leave on his own terms. I blame the media (John Adams led) and the feeble, spineless decision making by Mike Hamilton for the implosion of our football program. He sold us out to filth...Bruce Pearl, Lane Kiffin. What a joke. And some of these fans never learned a darn thing from it...the ones who would compromise their integrity yet again and solicit Bobby Petrino as our next head coach. I feel sorry for Dooley. I really do. He was not given a fair amount of time to prove or disprove his worth. I do not know if he would have ever been a great success for UT...I have my doubts...but he was short changed and deserved another year. So here we are...2008 to 2012...what the mess. I assure you all that it would have all worked out so much better had we displayed a sense of honor and let Fulmer step down after his final season of 2008. Kept him involved in the front office. The legendary Vol he is and always will be. The head coaching job at UT has lost its luster...its honor. I love the University of Tennessee. I hope we do not continue to compromise what is so great about it. She cannot take much more. I hope Dave Hart will bring in someone with impeccable values...impeccable like that of Phil Fulmer...and his loyalty. We need a great program builder, who can recruit a talent base and can surround himself with genius football minded assistants. Peace

I agree with most of your points and you're the first person who has commented with exactly the sentiments I feel regarding the firing of Coach Fulmer. I went to the 2007 SEC Championship game. UT was absolutely in the mix of that game until Ainge threw an interception. If you look back at the trajectory of the program, it mirrored the retirement of Doug Dickey and the arrival of the mercenary, Mike Hamilton. I said in 2008, and believe today, that the troubles we saw on the field in 05 and 08 were a reflection of deeper troubles stemming from the Athletic Director. I don't think Coach fulmer was "past his prime." He went out and did EXACTLY what Adams, the rabid fans, and other wanted him to do, he went "outside the family" to get an offensive coordinator. It absolutely did not work out. Look at Florida State. That transition was organized YEARS before it happened. I don't think releasing coach Fulmer without a plan similar to Florida State's example was too much to expect or to ask. Yes, I agree, the 2008 debacle by that athletic administration, the fans' ridiculous attitude, and the local media have made UT a far less attractive position for a prospective coach.

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