Tennessee Stat Book
Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer can expect to receive a one-year contract extension, UT athletic director Mike Hamilton said.
After the extension, Fulmer's contract will run through 2014.
Later this month, Fulmer and Hamilton will meet to discuss the season, as well as Fulmer's contract.
"I think a seven-year contract is very generous in terms of number of years," Hamilton said. "We'll get back to that."
Fulmer received a two-year extension in March, bringing his contract back to seven years after he did not receive an extension following the Vols' 5-6 season in 2005.
His current contract runs though 2013 and pays him $2.05 million annually.
Fulmer, who did not receive a raise following the 2005 or 2006 seasons, likely will see his compensation change as well, Hamilton said.
By virtue of playing in the SEC championship game, Fulmer will earn automatically earn a $75,000 bonus.
Last year, he earned an additional $37,500 for taking the Vols to a non-BCS bowl, the smallest bonus in his contract.
The largest incentive in Fulmer's contract is $250,000 for a BCS national championship.
But the fact that Fulmer has not had a raise since before the 2005 season will play a role in this year's likely raise.
"We'll discuss that over the next few weeks," Hamilton said. "That's a to-be-determined item. Phillip has not had a raise in his contract for this is the third year now, so I do want to look at that and maybe adjust that in some way. I couldn't tell you today what that's going to look like, but we will adjust it."
Fulmer's last raise made him the SEC's highest paid coach.
Since then Auburn's Tommy Tuberville, Alabama's Nick Saban and Florida's Urban Meyer have signed bigger deals.
Hamilton said market value will play a role in determining the amount of Fulmer's raise.
"We're still going to ultimately do what makes sense for the University of Tennessee," Hamilton said. "It's market, it's what makes sense for the University of Tennessee. It's what makes sense for Phillip Fulmer. It's performance. It's all those kinds of things."
Hamilton said he and Fulmer also will discuss assistant coaches' pay.
Last year, UT's assistants received multi-year deals for the time and their salary pool rose from $1.56 million to $1.721 million.
Fulmer will submit a plan for assistant coaches and coordinator pay, which Hamilton will try to accommodate.
According to Fulmer's contract, he and Hamilton are required to meet on or before Dec. 15 to discuss Fulmer's performance, the football program's status, as well as Fulmer's contract.
Any contract changes will be finalized after UT plays Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1.
Cutcliffe Not Contacted: Offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe said he has not been contacted about any vacant head coaching positions.
Cutcliffe, who returned to Tennessee following the 2005 season after spending six seasons as head coach at Ole Miss, was cited by media reports as a possible candidate at Georgia Tech and Duke.
Hamilton, as is his policy, declined to say whether any schools had asked for permission to speak with Cutcliffe.
"I value David Cutcliffe," Hamilton said. "He represents the University of Tennessee well. He's passionate about Tennessee football and our success. He is committed to the same things that we're committed to and our fans are committed to and that's winning championships.
"We want him to be here as long as he wants to be here as a coordinator. In such a time he has an opportunity to be a head coach and wants to be a head coach, I'll do everything I can to help him achieve that goal."
Dave Hooker contributed to this report. Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 199
TommyJack writes:
What's the point?
vol52 writes:
Oooo BOY! Won't have to worry about him getting the $250 K bonus!
jcherrie#219531 writes:
I'm generally a supporter of Fulmer. Without getting into specifics I give him a B over his tenure.
Is a contract extension necessary? Is Tennessee afraid that we'll lose Fulmer if his contract isn't extended?
Is a raise necessary? Is he worth 4 times the salary of Joe Paterno?
Personally, I think his contract is fine as is and I don't see where the raise is needed.
alfrizzle097 writes:
The point is to show confidence in your coaching staff. This year was a good year regardless of what some may say. The extension would imply that Fulmer is around for at least a couple more years. This should offset some of the damage to recruiting that fans have done with their harping.
TommyJack writes:
jcherrie: Exactly....he's not going anywhere for cryin out loud....Mediocrity Rules!!
TommyJack writes:
alfrizzle: That's a hollow argument. The kids being recruited aren't stupid...All it means is a bigger parachute when he finally goes.
JWilly writes:
Great! 7 more years (or a big buy-out) of "If not for 2 or 3 plays we would be 8-3" I can't wait. I'm going down to the buffet to join the celebration.
vol52 writes:
We NEED a new AD and Fast! Mikey ain't right.
trap2240#1340138 writes:
Hamilton does deserve credit for bringing in Pearl. With that being said, this extension is unecessary and he went back on his word when he said contract decisions wouldn't be made til after the season. He said he is not the type of AD that makes decisions off of emotion. Well then why was this decision made after we won the east. Just a shame how this program rewards mediocrity. Next year we will be loaded and return a lot of great players and should get back D.Morley and hopefully will get brandon warren and gerald williams. Hopefully he won't screw it up.
MrBamSeydu writes:
I disagree, Mike Hamilton brought in a coach that has revitalized the basketball program. He's much more involved and active in the programs than our previous AD's. On top of that, you don't hear anything about recruiting violations or NCAA infractions. It's not always JUST about the W's. I think he's got our athletic program pointed in the right direction.
However, I do not believe Fulmer deserves a pay raise. He ranks in the middle of the pack over the past 5 years in the SEC in wins, so that's where his pay should stay. If you were to pay coaches on simply their longevity with the program, Bobby Bowden and Joe Paterno would be making $40 million per season. It's all about "what have you done for me lately" in coaching, and Fulmer hasn't won the SEC in 10 years.
MrBamSeydu writes:
I was disagreeing with vol52, by the way.
asand211#361548 writes:
Insane. I think Hamilton should have waited until next year as this year was nothing more than luck that the Vols reached the championship game. Any other year and we are bottom dwellers. Next year I am afraid will be ugly. Thankfully, some of the better teams in the conference choked and lost a few games and that put us ahead in the eastern division.
burpee_von_rotweiler_IV writes:
Boo Hoo! How many regular folks out there haven't had a pay raise since 2005? Not even a cost of living adjustment?
Why does he need more? Looks like he's got pay for performance bonuses built into his contract. He is like Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, etc. in that he makes more money from extraneous sources than he does from his regular job.
I have said this before and I will say it again: decrease his pay and see what happens. That's right--nothing. He might get his feelings hurt but I bet he would stay put for less money --you know, stay the course.
charlesbates1#462322 writes:
Coach Phillip Fulmer You're Fired. Pack your bags and go home.
eefor10c writes:
All you cry-baby anti-Fulmer loons are just jealous. Too bad. You should be happy. Now you have something to female dog about while you wait to root for the Vols to lose in the bowl game so it will prove your point.
firefulmer (Inactive) writes:
Fellows....don't be so hard on our great and wonderful coach. He solved the defense's tackling problems in a ten minute practice session. After the humilating loss to Bama, he solved all the othe problems in a thirty minute speech. Also, it took only half the season for Fulmer/assistants to realize that Hefney was not the guy to handle punt/kick returns. For the above examples of a great coach, he should get another raise. As always this time of year, I'm sure many universities will be calling Fulmer for a coaching job. Let's hope he stays at TN, because I would miss our yearly loss to FLA, the wins over MIGHTY Vandy and KY, the bowl game loss, and the 8-5 and occasionl 9-4 seasons. Maybe Hamilton will give him another raise to stay.
bshell12 writes:
I agree keeping fulmer...but what about the assistants? Slade, Cutcliffe, Chavis keep them or let them walk and get new blood?
CrankE writes:
Boy that sure was a long paragraph. KNS, can you afford some paragraph marks?
Volchaz writes:
I'm changing my screen name to: Feared Dink-n-Dunk Package.....
jweaver3#395614 writes:
As a top tier fan, I agree with giving coach Fulmer a raise, extensions mean nothing, I can't believe I'm saying this but VolCR is correct the only figure that matters is the buyout amount. If Fulmer doesn't perform next year and I mean win at least 10 games with a weaker schedule then I wll finally join in with the nay sayers.
I would still like to see some thought to Jason Garrett if Fulmer were to under perform. Of course after this year Garrett may become an NFL head coach. One of the sharpest young offensive minds in the game!!!!!
TXVOLSFAN
GO VOLS
BEAT THE BADGERS
Greg18 writes:
asand211
You are so right. This is the worst team Fulmer has had in a SEC championship game and it took tons of luck to get there. I know Ainge laid an egg in Atlanta, but think of our record without him? If Crompton hasn't improved greatly, next year we will have more talent all around but no QB to run offense. Anyone hear if this Coleman kid can compete for QB job? Fulmer said not long ago he thought he was only a few years away from a "NC run". I can hear the excuses already. If we didn't have injuries...., if we just got a few bounces...., if we don't give up a couple of big plays...., If we take better care of the ball..., if we make a couple of field goals...., if we get that onside kick...., If the sun hadn't come up....,
APPLEJAX555 writes:
why?
Huntingdonvol writes:
Pay raises should be based on:1)progress of the program 2)overachievement(did this years team improve)3)following the rules of the sec and the ncaa 4)overall pay that is payed to other coaches and their progress!!!!!SO YES I AGREE A RAISE IS THE RIGHT THING!!!LONG LIVE UT AND GODSPEED AHEAD!!!
APPLEJAX555 writes:
Wait! The Crompton comment a poster made earlier is totally devoid of thought!! You have in Crompton whats proven to be a tough, strong, scrambling QB that can move and pass accurately downfield..
Didnt Crompton come off the bench vs LSU last year and nearly help us win the game??? If I recall, he threw for nearly 200yds, had 2 TDs, one for 30 + and another for 50+... and LSU won in the last seconds... 1 INT and 1 sack... but hey pretty good for coming off the bench cold and playing a top 5 team.
Get it right!
jhenson#377512 writes:
Guys, let's not forget, it was Fulmer who came up with the idea of keeping charts after getting throttled by Alabama. After that, we turned our season around. It's all about the charts baby...give that man a raise.
GreerVol22 writes:
I wonder if Fulmer would ever let Ainge be a part of his staff??? A. Yes, as D-secondary coach.
I wonder if Ainge could deliver the check to Fulmer??? A. Yes, then maybe Trooper would stand a good chance of intercepting it.
What are Wisconsin's chances at beating us in the Outback bowl??? A. Pretty good, considering our games plan is usually like swiss cheese...rough around the edges and full of holes.
but by all means...extend the contract...right?
invisiblekid writes:
And here I thought "stay the course" involved pay raises as well. Seriously, the market value has gone up coaches thanks to the idiots in AL so Sexton probably put in a call to Hamilton reminding him of that fact. Give him a token raise and put him on notice that next year is SEC champs or bust.
DooleyNoted writes:
I just wonder what we need to do to improve from 9-4/ 9-5 to SEC champs and BCS bowl level games? Even though it may be a token raise, I think it sends the wrong message to the fans. That we will accept mediocrity.
jhenson#377512 writes:
mtoms1272...Phil is wondering the same thing. My guess is you'll figure it out before he does.
Spuchy writes:
Great. 7 more years.
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
Let me ask the stupid questions here: what would Coach Fulmer do without an extension or a raise?
Go somewhere else? Where? Has he ever been contacted by any other Div. 1 team since he's been head coach? By any pro team?
What would he do without an extension or a raise?Quit? Retire? Why would he do that and lose seven years' worth of pay?
Where would Coach Fulmer be without the University of Tennesee?
Who needs who more?
To not put too fine a point on it, honestly, what is Coach Fulmer's "market value?"
bigtimevol writes:
I agree w/ the raise. He started off w/ a young defense, stopped the bleeding, and can still have a 10 win season. Should've beaten LSU. Earlier in the year, I would have questioned the raise, but they "coached them up" pretty good this year, especially the Frosh. I think they give him a mediocre raise, with a much larger raise put out there for winning the SEC in 2008. Let's face it, after this year, there are still some question marks, but if they do what they "should" with returning players next year....it will tell ALOT about where we're at in the SEC pecking order.
Spuchy writes:
He should turn it down on general principle. 9-4 does not warrant a raise. Unless you coach Rice or FIU or Alabama.
invisiblekid writes:
alfrizzle097, I am much more worried what a 3 game losing streak which includes a 59-20 loss on national television to FL does for recruiting than fans complaining on the internet and local radio. I'll bet many current recruits remember that game better than the 23-16 win over FL ST in the Fiesta Bowl in 1999.
Spuchy writes:
No mbumburu, you're exactly right. I don't remember him EVER being sought for a coaching position ANYWHERE. Apparently, some of our fans (see posts above) think that it shows how big our ****s are by how much we pay our coach...
Spuchy writes:
I think I'll follow my coach's lead tomorrow and go to my boss and say, "Listen, I did my job right 69.2% of the time this year (9-4) and I blew a big deal last weekend that was served-up on a silver platter. Now, I want a huge raise and an extention on my contract!"
jhenson#377512 writes:
As of July 2007, Fulmer was the 11th highest paid college football coach in the country. Just curious, when was the last time UT finished in the top 11 in the country? Someone said he deserved the raise because this team overachieved. Really? Where are we ranked right now compared to where we were projected to be?
ONUV writes:
this is a disgrace. fire hamilton & fire fulmer.
Huntingdonvol writes:
jhenson, sorry but i tink only one preseason picked the vols to win the east!!!!correct me if im wrong!!!
Huntingdonvol writes:
Can anyone tell me where to find the 2008 sehedule?
AlpharettaVol writes:
Recruits are only interested in whether their coach will be there the 4-5 years that they are there, so 7 years is an irrelevant number. Didn't Fulmer say a few weeks ago that he wanted to coach 5-6 more years and then retire? Why would we want to guarantee a contract past the time the coach has said he wants to work?
invisiblekid writes:
Mbumburu, interesting questions, although I don't know that there is a definitive answer for them, but I'll try in the order you posed them with tongue firmly in cheek.
1) no Lexus in the stocking next year for Mrs. Fulmer
2)It's a twofold answer that I have seen in the past. Sure he has been contacted but since the AD's office doesn't give out that information it's impossible to say by whom or what year. The alternate answer is that since CPF is such a staunt UT man, no one else has ever bothered. Interesting answers given all the hoopla we saw with Miles last week and the rumor mill that never sems to quit turning.
3)Keep coaching would be my guess. Remember the interview a few weeks ago, he wants another national championship and thinks one is possible soon just like in '05.
4)Wichita State
5)Depends on who you ask. As I understand it, UT football existed before Fulmer. Some on here believe otherwise.
6)We'll find out in a few weeks, my guess is 2.65 million.
agentorange writes:
Fulmer is going to take his raise in ding-dongs and hos-hos. So everyone can chill about the money.
firefulmer (Inactive) writes:
Spuchy...While talking with your boss, be sure to mention that you have these "miracle" ten minute and thirty minute session schemes that will do wonders for your company. Maybe Fulmer should meet with the Federal Reserve Chairman (Berdanke--??) and give him the 'ol thirty minute speech. Hell, I bet it would solve our nation's housing slump and credit problems overnight. Fulmer is such a genious!!
Let me know how the raise goes. I might give it a shot with my Managing Director.
eb502us#225637 writes:
Forget the extension, what's most disturbing is the comments made by Hamilton about Cutcliffe. Why is it that we can't see what other schools see, which is a below average OC that nobody wants.
firefulmer (Inactive) writes:
wr23, I hate to correct you, but Florida will smoke out the SEC next year, AND the year after that, the year after that, etc, etc. TN might luck up and beat them somewhere around the 2010 season.
THANKYOU4GETTINGRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE writes:
Posted by VolCR on December 3, 2007 at 4:01 p.m.
Right now, Fulmer is the 10th highest paid coach in America. That is more than enough for winning the East every few years and being no higher than 2nd the last 9 years.
And how many top 10 finishes have the Vols had in the past 6 year? The answer = NONE. Sounds like someone is already getting overpaid.
BigSwitch writes:
I agree with Hamilton's comment about "fair market value". Another way of saying that is
"supply and demand". So who's coming after Phil Fulmer that we need to raise his salary?
I'm not being a smart a##. That's a fair question. Isn't it?
Huntingdonvol writes:
LATEST ;;;;CLEMSON COACH TOMMY BOWDEN HAS BEEN OFFERED COACHING POSITION AT ARKANSAS!!!UCLA FIRES THEIR HEAD COACH!!!
volfanjustin writes:
Looks like we are stuck for a little while longer with average football guys. We will lose to Wisconsin and go about 8-4 next year, can any one say Peach Bowl. Hamilton is worse than Fulmer. Fire them both
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