It's time for Phillip Fulmer to prove his recruiting merit.

The head coach of the Vols is facing the most-difficult set of recruiting challenges during his 13-year tenure.

UT finished the season 5-6 with no bowl game and can't play its usual trump card -- coaching stability -- on prospective athletes. Fulmer fired two coaches, Jimmy Ray Stephens and Pat Washington, on Saturday and replaced Randy Sanders -- who resigned as offensive coordinator -- with David Cutcliffe.

Fulmer was quick to hit the recruiting trail Sunday. The goals were simple:

* 1. Convince Vol commitments that the ship is righted, not sinking.

* 2. Encourage undecided prospects to think of the Vols as new and improved program, not one on the decline.

Replacing Stephens and Washington carries a certain set of challenges. The two coaches recruited some of the most fertile recruiting areas in the nation with mixed results.

Stephens recruited much of Florida and Pennsylvania. Washington worked Louisiana, the Florida panhandle, the Atlanta area and some of Alabama. Stephens had recently secured a commitment from Ocala, Fla., in kicker Daniel Lincoln.

Stephens was recruiting several highly touted prospects including linebacker/fullback Jeremiha Hunter from Harrisburg, Pa., linebacker Marcus Sims from North Florida Christian High School in Tallahassee, Fla., and wide receiver Anthony Jones from Seguin High School in Arlington, Texas.

Stephens' success rate so far this season wasn't good. Several of his prospects already had committed to other schools.

Some of Washington's most-notable recruits were linebacker Marcus Ball from Stone Mountain, Ga., and offensive lineman Andre Smith from Birmingham, Ala.

Stephens and Washington added three new Vols last season. Stephens helped secure Pennsylvania linebacker Andre Mathis. Washington convinced Georgia offensive lineman Chris Scott and Louisiana athlete Lucas Taylor to sign with the Vols.

UT's coaches often say they recruit as a staff. That will be put to the test during this time of transition. Sanders, Stephens and Washington's relationships are long gone.

The potential hiring of Kippy Brown has obvious advantages. Brown is a well-respected coach with NFL experience. He is, however, with the NFL's Houston Texans, meaning his season is long from being complete even if the staff is soon told that they won't be retained.

If Brown is Washington's eventual replacement, then he will be a very small factor in UT's 2006 class. The Texans' last game is Jan. 1. That is one fewer coach to be on the road in December. UT already is a man short as it looks to fill Stephens' vacancy.

Fulmer and Cutcliffe said they expect Cutcliffe's hiring to have a positive, stabilizing effect on their 2006 recruiting effort. Cutcliffe's track record should do that.

Jacque McClendon, UT's highest-rated prospect, agreed.

"It's a good hire," the offensive line prospect from Chattanooga's Baylor School said. "His track record is unbelievable with quarterbacks and offenses. I really think they're just trying to take a step in the right direction."

McClendon, like many of his fellow UT prospects, will keep his options open but finds Fulmer's decisiveness appealing.

"I'm glad they're showing initiative and they really want to get this thing turned around fast," McClendon said. "As you can see, they're doing whatever they have to do to do it."

Michael Goggans has said his September commitment is in doubt because of the turnover in Knoxville. Now the tight end/defensive end from Alexander City, Ala., knows what he's dealing with.

"I’m glad they went on and found a new offensive coordinator for the new year to know what kind of offense they’re going to bring in," Goggans said. "I can make my decision off that."

UT received a commitment late Monday from Blake Garretson of Morristown East. The linebacker/ defensive lineman is listed at 6-foot-4, 290 pounds.

Cutcliffe also could benefit the Vols’ signing class by securing a quarterback for the 2006 class.

Dave Hooker may be reached at hookerd@knews.com.