For Tennessee’s Austin Rogers, the waiting just might be the hardest part.
Rogers and his fellow wide receivers spent much of Monday wondering about the future of their position coach as Trooper Taylor mulls an offer from Baylor to be its offensive coordinator.
Taylor is expected to make his decision in the next few days.
“It’s really tough,” said Rogers, UT’s second-leading receiver with 53 catches for 587 yards and four touchdowns. “Trooper’s a great coach. He’s done a lot for us. We really do love him and wish he’d stay.
“But if he has a better situation for him wherever he may be, then he should take it if it’s better for him and his family.”
Taylor spent Sunday in his native Texas interviewing with Baylor, where he was a defensive back and began his coaching career.
On Monday, Taylor was back at practice in Tennessee, where he also is a candidate for the Vols’ offensive coordinator job.
Current coordinator David Cutcliffe will leave Tennessee following the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1 to become Duke’s head coach.
Taylor likely would accept Baylor’s offer if Tennessee does not offer him its offensive coordinator job.
“That’s pretty much what he told us,” Rogers said Monday. “If he gets the coordinator job here, he probably will stay. If not, he might go. We’ll know soon.”
Taylor could not be reached for comment Monday, and UT coach Phillip Fulmer was mum when asked about Taylor following Monday’s practice.
According to Rogers, Taylor and Fulmer were set to talk Monday night about the situation.
“He told us he got offered by Baylor yesterday, and he’s going to sit down with (Fulmer) tonight and talk about what his future is here,” Rogers said.
Taylor, one of UT’s best recruiters and its highest-paid position coach, also is the Vols’ director of player development.
In that role, he’s grown close to several players, and not just wide receivers.
“He means everything to me in this program,” said tailback Arian Foster. “He’s the one that brought me here. He and (former offensive coordinator Randy) Sanders, but ultimately it was him that was the deciding factor in me coming here.”
Taylor has become a fan favorite, in part because of his energetic demeanor on the sidelines.
That energy is important, Foster said.
“He means a lot,” Foster said. “We have a very experienced coaching staff, and he brings a lot of youth and a lot of new-age ideas to it. His energy level out there is uncanny.”
If Taylor leaves, Tennessee would have to replace at least two of its five offensive coaches.
Tight ends coach Matt Luke and running backs coach Kurt Roper, both members of Cutcliffe’s staff at Ole Miss, could follow Cutcliffe to Duke.
Fulmer has begun searching for Cutcliffe’s replacement, but even that process comes with some angst for players.
“It’s really tough because it is all about our future,” Rogers said. “We don’t know who’s going to be here or if we’re going to like him.
“Some people are talking about transferring; some people are talking about doing other things. It’s our future that’s in these coaches’ hands. We wish the best for them, but it’s really our future.”
The one certainty in Tennessee’s future is that No. 18 Wisconsin awaits in the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day.
But that doesn’t make the waiting — or the uncertainty — any easier.
“It is hard because we don’t know. If the coaches aren’t going to be here, you think of, ‘Do they really care about this game if they’re not going to be here?’ and stuff like that,” Rogers said. “It’s kind of a distraction to go out there and practice, but we’re doing the best we can because we really want a win over Wisconsin.”
Dave Hooker contributed to this report.
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 79
eaglentn2002#343016 writes:
Oh no! We're gonna get a royal butt whipping in Tampa. Focus, Focus, Focus!
VOLinDAWGland writes:
Change is hard, it is scary but can also be exciting and rewarding and the only constant in life is change.
This is a great learning experience...fight through the distraction and focus on your game. You're not the only kids facing change, there's at least twenty other D1 schools with HC changes and many others will see a change in coordinators and position coaches.
Now go win one for your coach.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
If, as Austin Rogers said, players start "transferring or doing other things", then they probably don't belong in an orange jersey Yes, coaches have a big impact on where players end up; however, playing the game is bigger than your position coach once you've been here a couple of years.
I have no idea what Coach Fulmer's thinking since I live in Raleigh. Nonetheless, I just can't see Fulmer giving the OC job to Trooper. Trooper'll go to Baylor and Cutcliffe will make it worthwhile for Roper and Luke to follow him.
Coach Fulmer has plenty of good choices to select from. The choices he makes will not only speak volumes about him, but also show the caliber of coaches who want to work at UT and, ultimtately, will have a direct impact on how long Fulmer keeps his job.
DennisVols writes:
It is time for the leadership of this program to step forward. This could get really ugly. I can't believe that UT has not thought about coach Cut leaving prior to this point. The players have to get focused or we may as well stay home New Years.
Choices and Consequences: The wrong choice here will have consequences that could hurt UT’s football program for years to come.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
Well said, dlskaggs.
mdavis332#560634 writes:
Hmmmm. Waaaaa. Grow up. It's about their livelihood not about you. You’re still a kid. Now get your head on straight and win the game and the future will take care of itself for you.
Good luck Troop whatever you do but it sounds like you have some work here either way.
utwick writes:
Even if it's true, why would TT tell his players that his future at UT depends on if he gets the OC job. The end result is pitting staff against staff. If the players are questioning the coaches' focus, it's obvious the players' focus is not wholly on Wisconsin. I don't care how professional Cut and TT are, their minds can't be on this game like they should be due to their job searches. I think you may be right eaglentn.
utwick writes:
diskaggs-the leadership of this program is Fulmer (for good or bad depending on your prespective). He is the constant. He will be here after the bowl game regardless of where the other coaches go. He is the one that needs to grab the reins and direct his team.
IPOrange writes:
Changes in the coaching staff are just a part of the game, fellas. As an incoming Freshman, the likelihood of having the same coaching staff as when you complete your college career is small indeed, no matter where you play. Look at any big time college program and you'll see that coaches come and go. Where are you gonna go? Florida? LSU or Alabama? Michigan, Arkansas, or Texas Tech? Every one of these programs have had coaching changes within the past 2 or 3 years. Every other team has already or will soon experience coaching changes.
Take my advise, and go play for a university, not for a man. Stay at TN and you'll still run through the T, cross those checkerboard end zones, and you'll play in one of the largest stadiums in the nation. And by the way, it will be full of big orange fans every Saturday. And they'll be cheering for you, the players, not the coaches.
daddyaxe writes:
UT FOOTBALL IS SO CLOSE TO BEING THE VANDY OF THE SEC TROOP YOUR THE BEST THING THAT HAS HAPPENED HERE IN A LONG TIME BUT YOU CAN'T TELL THESE YOUNG MEN THAT OR ELSE phooey THEY LOOK UP TO YOU AS WELL AS ALOT OF FANS.....BE A VOL.....OR ELSE LEAVE AND GO TO THAT POWERHOUSE BAYLOR
utwick writes:
Agree with you IPOrange, but these players are still young and are influenced by lots of things. Kids often leave programs or change their committments with a coaching change. You'd think that these kids would want to play for a school and not just a person, but most of these kids are not native Tennesseans and the coaches do have a lot of influence over them.
nmvol writes:
If Fulmer fails to pick a quality replacement and instead goes for one of his buddies or someone he views as no threat to his job we are in big trouble.
utwick writes:
Agreed nmvol. Fulmer needs to choose the best candidate that will benefit UT for the long run even if it costs some recruits, transfers or hurt feelings. The question is: Will/can Fulmer step up to the plate? (and I don't mean that kind of plate, so don't even go there)
burntorangeVOLffle writes:
Fulmer likes to bring guys up. He brought Cut and Chavis up. He brought Sanders up.....
I'll accept the gamble of bringing Trooper up but Adkins will feel like a let down until proven otherwise.
andy112382#209793 writes:
Fulmer knows much more about Troopers play calling ability than any of us. Fulmer knew Cutcliffe only promised 2 years when he came back and that is what he gave us, for all we know Fulmer has been evaluating this for longer than we think, so we will soon find out. Everyone rumbled and grumbled when he picked Chavis on defense and he has been such a huge part of the coaching staff since, so excluding the Sanders fiasco, the track record is pretty solid and I believe he will put the right guy and OC.
After all Fulmer is the one who got Trooper in the first place!
GO VOLS!!!
Hunter writes:
Play for the "T" on your helmet, not the letters on the back of the uniform. Austin Rogers, be thankful you still have a scholarship. Go out back and catch 100 balls and shut your mouth.
slambob2#228938 writes:
This may be the perfect scenario for a Kippy Brown to come in. He could hand pick his entire coaching staff and work under an agreement that he's the head coach in about four years.
slambob2
BillVol writes:
Austin, you need to worry more about curing your case of the drops than who is coach. You hurt us this year more than you helped us -- by far.
ThurmondEppy writes:
BillVol, that comment is uncalled for. Rogers is a kid (I suspect that you're not) who works hard and does his best.
To sit back and say such things behind your anonymous post is childish at best. Grow up.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
BillVol...while he did have some critical drops, I'll take his 50+ catches and 500+ yards thank you. On balance he was a positive contributor and I'd guess those drops will disappear in the future as the game slows down, he thinks less and just plays.
southernACmavs writes:
This is Tennessee football [FEAR ] RULES the roost. Its what we the BIG ORANGE NATION, are programed for. FEAR who ya going to get if phil leaves?? Fear With out Troop all the players will leave..Fear, We have had this offence in place for 3o year s we cant just change..Fear OHHHHH WHAT IF CHAVIS leaves???? fear retreat conceed Not what the General had in mind..............
4ss#446072 writes:
I think Austin Rogers needs to shut up and catch some damn balls. Where else in D-1 college football would he be on first team? He would be nothing more than a special teams player anywhere else. So, go ahead big boy, transfer and take all the other "boys" wanting to transfer with you. You are not playing for the power T with that kind of thinking, you are playing for yourself. UT needs to focus on the task at hand......beating Wisconsin and carrying some momentum into next year. Coaches come and go. Get over it and learn to catch!
TommyJack writes:
The stars are lining up for another Penn State debacle.
marc_ash#231781 writes:
ThurmondEppy, with all due respect Rogers (and the rest of the team for that matter) are NOT kids they are adults. They may be young adults, but they are adults. They deserve all the praise when they do well, and they also deserve some criticisim when they don't perform up to par IMO. I do not feel anyone should be treated in a hateful manner, thats where the line is drawn...but they are not kids and shouldn't be given any exemption from criticism. If we do that, when they get out of college they won't be prepared for the REAL world.
eduardo writes:
I am so sick and tired of hearing about these coaches whether their going to stay or leave. I mean c'mon guys if you have another job get outta here. Why is Cuttie still here? Staying to coach in a second tier bowl game? Secondly Troop don't hold us hostage. Don't say if you don't get offered the OC job your leaving! Man if your staying your staying, if your leaving than go on! How's that for negativity!
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
IF FULMER WAS A GOOD COACH , THIS PROBLEM WOULD NOT NOT BE TAKING PLACE ,HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A PLAYER AND THE ONLY COACH LEFT IS FAT AZZ ?
TommyJack writes:
Eduardo...the voice of reason...who'd a thunk it?
vol_in_lsu_land writes:
IF FULMER WAS A GOOD COACH , THIS PROBLEM WOULD NOT NOT BE TAKING PLACE ,HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A PLAYER AND THE ONLY COACH LEFT IS FAT AZZ ?
Uh, this is the dumbest comment I've seen yet. You don't think Trooper would be moving to better things and Cut wouldn't be looking for a HC position if Fulmer were a "better coach" as you say?
That's like saying I would never leave my job, no matter what the opportnities, if I had a good boss. Granted, if I had a bad boss I might take a pay cut to get away from him, but having a good boss isn't enough to keep me from seeking advancement.
tennisvol writes:
With many coaches jumping ship, it's going to be hard to focus on the bowl game. Focus on motivation - send ole Cut to Duke a last time winner as Vol coach.
4ss#446072 writes:
Good one eduardo!
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
Absolutely no way on earth we win this bowl game. WI by at least 14.
williamshockley#225607 writes:
The offensive coordinator job at Baylor is a lot different that the same job at Tennessee. Promoting Trooper to OC is risky, I say bring in some new blood. I believe Mr. Hamilton is in Fulmer's ear on this one....let's see what happens.
Pullingguard writes:
We all realize that Trooper Taylor is well liked by the players and fans and both Taylor and the University must do what's best for each of them. Now, Austin Rogers makes it sound like doomsday is there. Austin must cut the apron strings and realize he is a big boy and these things happen. He needs to look in the mirror and think; How have over 12 other schools/players handled assistants and head coaching changes. Junior and Senior leadership should become involved, and Fulmer I am sure has addressed the team about the changes, If not, he certainly should. It seems the least bit of negativity becomes a mountain for this team. Transferring, why would anyone want to waste a year by transferring and be restricted to where they go. Time to grow up Vols, change happens now and in your life later. Play football and enjoy.
DadwasaVol writes:
The sky is not falling. Calm down. Fulmer and Hamilton saw this coming years ago. In fact, they see it in their sleep at night. Hamilton hired Bruce Pearl so how bad could these next decisions be?
GerryOP writes:
You might think that since Taylor has yet to accept, after getting an offer on Sunday, that perhaps the job at Baylor may not be the one Trooper is looking for? Playing one job off against the other? That's life!
Cutcliff hanging around? Why? With the HC job his at Duke, he really can't be focusing on The Outback Bowl. Time for him "to be gone!"
auroravol writes:
What makes Trooper respected by his players is that he communicates with them at a level they identify with. That becomes a problem, however, when this sort of situation comes up b/c this may end up causing more angst than would be the case if he was more distant and not so open about what is going on with his situation.
Most of the negative comments about AR are classless, whether they are true from a technical perspective or not. He may have dropped some balls, which he certainly knows better than anyone else, but he also took some hellacious shots yet got up and kept playing.
Some of this is a case of "too much information" in that 100% of what these kids say is now public knowledge.
It is also the case that these kids being concerned about their future is natural. When top management at any company is replaced, the rank and file know that the new "regime" will bring in their own new ideas / plans that may (or may not) include some or all of the existing team. Why should we not expect the same concerns by the players at Tennessee?
todd#529269 writes:
If i was a recruit looking to come to Tennessee & read this phooey on here, there is no way in the world i would come to UT.
williamshockley#225607 writes:
Does the thought of Austin Rogers transferring really scare anyone....c'mon. Gerald Jones when healthy makes him look like a high schooler....
agentorange writes:
everyone should relax until they announce who is hired. no point in getting worked up over nothing; however, that seems to be the goal of the media these days. in the meantime, i'll duct tape my windows shut in case of chemical attack.
Hunter writes:
nafslov, I agree Quarles is a great coach, but I'd beware bringing up a HS coach straight to the OC position. Houston Nutt did last year - how'd that work out? I CERTAINLY think they should try to get people like him on staff to get used to the college game, then maybe. He is a terrific coach, though.
volunteerTY23 writes:
TROOPER DESERVES A SHOT, WE WILL BE MAKINGA HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE MISTAKE IF WE LET HIM LOOSE TO BAYLOR, KEEP CUT ON BUT MAKE TROOPER INTERIM oc, LET HIM CALL ALL THE PLAYS IN THE BOWL GAME WITH CUT KINDA WATCHING OVER HIM, WE CANNOT LET THIS GUY GO
Brama writes:
These players that are talking about transfering need to go ahead and do that because it sounds like they will not care one way or the other if they stay here next yr. I don't hear John Chavis talk about quiting because Mayo is talking about going Pro a yr early.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
southern ACmavs: 7:10am - good post, except one fear can be laid to rest "when big Phil leaves".
It will take a lot of change from the current status quo for this to happen. Not enuf of the natives are restless, yet. All right, lets just beat Wisconsin and slumber for 8 months. Go Vols.
shopsports#273141 writes:
Now, these KIDS, who have only $$$$ (NFL color) on their minds, want someone or something to blame other than themselves if they don't succeed no matter who the coaches are. Give me a break, you spoiled brats. You are learning too much from Phil on excuses and blame. No matter who the coaches are, UT employs the best and the highest paid, that can be found, unless of course someone stupid is left in charge; the players should shut up, be postive about themselves making the program and them benefiting along the way instead of "what MORE can the program, let ME control". Bull. We are breeding brats!!! And the media, desparate to have something to talk about ought to have the same "black out" periods as recruiting. They get worse whenever they have a chance and they exploit the KIDS now for their own possible scoop.
west_tn_volfan writes:
Pullingguard, good post. Thurmondeppy these guys are not kids!If they are, they need to go back to highschool. They are young men and they should be held accountable for what they say. Young men of good character usually rise to the level expected of them. If you expect them to be kids, they"ll usually act like kids. If you expect them to grow up and act like men they usually will. Trooper and Cut didn't give these guys scholarships, Tennessee did and thats where their commitment should be. At some point, young men need to learn that it not all about them. The institution is more important than the individual player or coach. As pullingguard said,"Its time to grow up". Your job is to beat Wisconsin.
b_knows49#253722 writes:
There is a lot of talent to choose from out there for a new offensive coordinator. The real question is does Coach Fulmer have the wherewithal the think "outside the box" and get an individual who is creative and put in place a dynamic offense with the talent we currently have.
shopsports#273141 writes:
Trooper is looking for a head coaching job tomorrow and will always use any available leverage to get it. Do we really want someone temporary? He threatens he is all the time. Go back to TX and succeed where they didn't give you the chance Phil did...Troop.
skippy23 writes:
Folks, you're being pretty hard on Austin Rogers for no reason. He didn't say he was transfering or even thinking about it . He said SOME PEOPLE.
hoskinsfive#468391 writes:
I heard that Trooper and Chavis(Ron Jeremy), do not get along at all. Does anybody know anything about this?
marc_ash#231781 writes:
Lots of folks are talking about the recruits we will lose with Trooper and Cut leaving...but lets remember that the new OC could win us some recruits to Big Orange country. Not to mention, some recruits that have committed verbally to other schools might decide to follow a coach if he comes to the Vols. Relax folks, things will happen.
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