Tennessee wide receivers coach Trooper Taylor was his normal, excitable self during Tuesday’s 90-minute practice on Haslam Field.
But how much longer Taylor will remain at Tennessee remains to be seen.
Taylor has yet to make a decision about Baylor’s offer to become its offensive coordinator, however that could come as early as today.
Taylor again declined interview requests following practice, and UT coach Phillip Fulmer said nothing changed since Monday.
“No new updates,” Fulmer said.
Wide receiver Austin Rogers said Monday that Taylor and Fulmer were expected to meet that night, however Fulmer said the two did not talk about Taylor’s future at Tennessee on Monday.
When asked if he still plans to talk with Taylor, Fulmer replied, “Certainly.”
Since reports emerged late last week about offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe leaving for Duke, coaching changes have been a hot topic as the Vols continue to prepare for the Outback Bowl against Wisconsin on Jan. 1.
In addition to Taylor, running backs coach Kurt Roper and tight ends coach Matt Luke both may have an opportunity to join Cutcliffe’s staff at Duke.
All the talk of coaching changes is distracting, Fulmer said.
“They are distractions,” he said. “It is. Anything like that is a distraction. Our team, they have been really good about putting things behind them and managing themselves during the course of the year. I expect them to do it again.
“David’s worked extremely hard. Trooper’s worked extremely hard getting ready for this game on the practice field. And the players have worked extremely hard. You guys seem to be most interested in it. I’m sure they (the players) are to some degree. That’s a progression in life; that’s the way things happen. If they’re aggressive people, they’re upwardly mobile. That’s how it goes.”
Once those decisions are made, Fulmer said he’s looking forward to finding a new coach — or coaches — depending on how those decisions unfold.
“I’m excited about it,” he said. “I get to work like heck to get some other guys in here eventually, whenever we make the transition, and create a whole new environment here.”
No Grades: Exams ended last week, but Tennessee is still waiting to see if all its players will be eligible for the Outback Bowl.
“There’s always guys you’re concerned about,” Fulmer said. “When we get them all back, we’ll discuss that.”
Players must meet NCAA-mandated academic requirements in order to be eligible to play in a postseason bowl game.
Last year, wide receiver Bret Smith did not play after an unsuccessful appeal of a final grade.
Hawkins Hurt: Former Loudon High School standout Josh Hawkins suffered an injury to ligaments in his left foot during Monday’s practice.
Hawkins, a freshman tailback, is expected to redshirt this season.
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Comments » 80
SmokeDog72 writes:
Prediction:
Before it is all over the following coaches will be gone.
Cutcliffe
Luke
Roper
Taylor
Adkins
Cutcliffe is already gone. He hires away Luke and Roper. Taylor goes to Baylor, Fulmer hires a new OC and Adkins takes a job elsewhere.
Could happen.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Again our beloved Phil nailed it. "I'm sure the players (they) are interested to some degree".
Boy, howdy!
jeremy writes:
It sounds like fulmer is waiting to see what everyone else does instead of proactively finding us a new OC. Need to be proactive not reactive.
99gator writes:
with as many people who may be leaving the staff....will this force fulmer to look for some replacements who are "outside the box"
jeremy writes:
If they all do leave maybe we will finally get some new blood, fresh ideas. I hope we get someone who runs the spread.
eb502us#225637 writes:
Sounds like a built-in excuse for our annual bowl whipping. I'm not saying that it's not a distraction, but alot of progams are going through the same. On a positive note, am I the only one who reads Fulmer's quote in saying that he looks forward to a "whole new environment as perhaps him acknowledging that major changes are needed and their won't be any inhouse promotions? We definetly need some new blood, especially at OC.
SmokeDog72 writes:
The only "outside the box" move Fulmer is trying to make is by bringing in a guy (Kippy Brown) that hasn't coached here in a decade. But, he needn't worry, the offense he left in Knoxville is still intact!!!!!
Those fantasizing about the spread offense are going to be disappointed. Nobody who comes from the NFL is going to go that direction. Our offense under Brown (assuming Phil gets his first choice) is going to look like our offense under Cutcliffe, under Sanders, under Fulmer.
Oenoboy writes:
If Fulmer is looking to the NFL for coaches, you have to remember they are still in the midst of their season. The last thing we want Fulmer to do is rush into the wrong choice. I hope he is going to take his time on this one and find the right fit. His future relies on it.
Let's just hope he finds that person in time to lure some of these recruits back.
jeremy writes:
eb502us: I noticed that too. I know that's on my xmas list.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
SmokeDog72, I agree with you except for Adkins. He'll stay around, I believe.
Coach Fulmer's comments trouble me. When Coach Cut was hired by Duke, he commented, "We have good people and when you have good people you can expect other folks to come looking for them." Well, if that's the case, then shouldn't he have already planned in advance for these kinds of scenarios? Why the double-talk?
Somehow I'm getting a strange feeling that, in terms of replacing coaches, it's 3rd-and-long and we're coming out of the huddle with a run up the middle. I can see where this may be headed.
Oenoboy writes:
#&%* the spread. That offense will be figured out by DCs and go the way of 8-tracks.
TommyJack writes:
Ah that Phil...ever the wordsmith.
jeremy writes:
DC's haven't figured out the spread yet and from what I've seen they aren't even close. I bet Michigan plays for a NC before anyone figures it out with the hiring of Rodrigues.
TommyJack writes:
oenoboy: I agree. The game is still won in the line..always will be. Stay the course. Phil is searching the whole scenario.
mdavis332#560634 writes:
My gosh, you guys are pessimist. WAAWAAWAA. I would rather PF take his time and make the right decision At that level you can not let kids or outgoing coaches influence you. If TT wants the Tenn. job he’ll wait and if not, best of luck.
SmokeDog72 writes:
Oenoboy,
I agree that eventually defenses will catch on to the spread. But, when exactly will that be? Could a program put together a solid 7-10 years by having an effective, well-balanced spread offense? I would say yes. But, just like with every other offense that has seen its glory days (Wing-T, Wishbone, Veer, West Coast, etc) come and go, if a coach recognizes when it is time for evolution and transitions, then what is the problem?
Personally, I think we have a coach that is trying to fight offensive philosophy change. If he wanted change he had his chance after 2005. He has another chance now, but I doubt he will take it.
SmokeDog72 writes:
By the way.......
Maybe Fulmer is still working on his "Coaching Change" charts!!!!!!
SmokeDog72 writes:
Is there anyway we can make Cutcliffe take Larry Slade with him?
GerryOP writes:
Same ol' Phil, treat 'em like mushrooms -- keep 'em in the dark and cover 'em with BS.
txsvol#372416 writes:
Work hard is something we can do. Now, working smart? I'm not sure. But, I'm thrilled to have the possibility of positive changes with the new coaches we'll hire. Go Vols! SAVol
tnbuco#393180 writes:
I believe that the DC's at Auburn and LSU figured out Florida's spread pretty well this. That's even with GOD , opps I mean Tebow, running it. Pitt didn't seem to have to many problems with West Virgina's spread either now that I think of it.
TommyJack writes:
KrispyKreme x
chrisw2967 writes:
Fulmer:
“I’m excited about it,” he said. “I get to work like heck to get some other guys in here eventually, whenever we make the transition, and create a whole new environment here.”
he did say eventually get some other guys in here. and he gets to work like heck , the only thing missing is "staying the course"
SmokeDog72 writes:
Hey just think, maybe next year we can win another 9 games and get Fulmer until 2017.
Think of all the charts...............
burntorangeVOLffle writes:
I'm sure Phil has a list longer than Kippy Brown, Trooper, and Adkins. Nobody comes out and just tells the press who they are going after.
And yes, the Spread is stoppable now. Auburn figured it out vs. FL. Even Ole'Miss figured out how to slow it down to some degree. In 2 of 3 years at FL Meyer's teams have lost at least 3 games, their one-loss/NC season is 85% credited to their senior filled defense. In the last few years WVA has been one of the most prolific teams running the spread and every year they lose 2-3 games in the Big East no less. It can and does get stopped all the time.
It's not a bad idea to plug it into your arsenal but it is not the answer. Texas for instance shows that you need to adapt your offense to your players. They traditionally run a pro-style offense but with Vince Young they used something closer to the spread.
DarthVol writes:
Figure out *the spread offense*? We haven't figured out how to defend a Spurrier offense yet.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Tommyjack- we just found some 9 year old glazed that still aren't quite out of date. Interested?
SmokeDog72 writes:
The only "spread" Fulmer knows about is made from artificial cheese.
GerryOP writes:
Has anyone told Good Ol' Phil that Cutcliffe is gone and Taylor has a better offer? Maybe not ...
burntorangeVOLffle writes:
Also there seems to be an almost panic building around here. Its only been about 6 days since the news broke about Cut. How quick do you really expect Phil to make this decision? It probably wont be until after the bowl that we, the fans, know what’s going on
GerryOP writes:
You're right burntorangeVOLffle -- mushrooms...
TommyJack writes:
PD: Like Phil, I've never met a doughnut I didn't like!
SmokeDog72 writes:
Mcbrim needs to take a Mc-hike. Go look at your Urban Meyer (aka David Byrne) posters mounted to your walls.
burntorangeVOLffle writes:
GerryOP,
Can you really blame him? When the press come at him with questions like "Is this a distraction?" and "Who do you have lined up and in what preference?" how is he supposed to respond? He has to shovel the BS on 'em (the press that is).
skyhawk836 writes:
Spread makes it 11 on 11 football. You have to scheme the QB.
A guy like Tebow merits a spy and he can still beat that guy 1 on 1 some.
Really thins the D out.
I like the UT package but you don't have to defend the QB as a rusher.
The spread has already been figured out on paper as have all offenses and defenses--but players have to make plays. It dictates 1 on 1 match-ups.
Also, six in the box is sweet to run against when you have 5 linemen and 2 backs (must defend the QB).
BTW, I am one of the Fulmer defenders and usually agree with Oenoboy and others but I would still like to see more of this type O.
I know this was a rambling post so I'll hush.
Hixson_Vol writes:
Let me get this straight...UT plays for a national championship and Cutcliffe is cut loose to go to Ole Miss. Sanders is elevated to OC. UT plays for the outhouse trophy, and Cutcliffe stays to bowl game. Hmmmm...it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this one out. Fulmer is probably negotiating with Taylor to take some stupid title like "Assistant to the Head Coach in Charge of the Passing Game". But, OC? He would have done it by now just like with Sanders. He trusts Taylor with recruiting, but he ain't turning over game planning to some uppity young guy.
Volker writes:
Burntorange, there is reason for panic...Recruits. Unless, a player was already bleeding orange, chances are they're not coming to UT. Unless, we can name an O.C. The Brown brothers will be great because, more than likely, coaches are going to follow Cut to ducking Fuke. I do not wish these coaches the best of luck. They are traitors taking a job at a bottom tier football program.
SmokeDog72 writes:
So FireChavis, where do you stand on the future of the defensive coordinator position?
DarthVol writes:
On the Trooper situation: I think Fulmer should get on the phone with Jim Donnan and ask him how that whole Kevin Ramsey thing worked out for him. I could be way off, but it seems eerily similar.
jerseythunderhawk#586378 writes:
Fulmer needs to retire.
skyhawk836 writes:
Volker-
Don't think there's panic as to recruiting.
Dead period is in effect as of yesterday and will last until Jan. 6.
No contact with kids so other schools can't hurt us. If this is worked out by the end of the dead period then everything should be fine; I hope.
volsfaninkpt writes:
Mark my word.
We will not lose this bowl game!!
The recent Tennessee teams are at best when under scrutiny and pressure. This bowl game will be no different.
Tennessee: 37 Wisconsin 17.
Enough said. I will be basking in the glory after this bowl win, and the years to come of greatness from the coaching staff left, players, and coaches coming in!!
Go Vols
Hixson_Vol writes:
"Recent Tennessee teams?" Are you talking about the one that just lost to LSU? Or the one that got drubbed by Alabama, Florida, and California? Oh, you must be talking about the one that lost to an undermanned Penn State team. Give me a friggin' break.
SmokeDog72 writes:
I believe that volsfaninkpt has not been drinking, but actually injecting, the orange kool aid.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
There is no need for Coach Fulmer to panic. Let's face it with Trooper Taylor, though--if Fulmer was going to offer the OC job to him he'd have done it before Trooper flew off to interview for the Baylor job. No way Baylor could meet UT's pay for OC.
Bottom line: all of these "distractions" sound like built-in excuses for reasons not to do well against Wisconsin. It's that simple. If we lose, we've got excuses; if we win, we've "overcome alot this year". That'll be the script.
GerryOP writes:
Yah, I guess you're right burntorangeVol. For $2-point-something-million a year we shouldn't expect Good ol' Phil to answer a direct question. Just like after the '05 season -- gotta' go check the films, don't know what happened, perfect storm, no magic dust, just a couple of plays from an undefeated season, etc, etc, etc. Guess today was just another day of Good ol' Phil being Good ol' Phil.
I'm still curious about those three-headed thingees that K'portVol was talking about!?!?!?!
jerseythunderhawk#586378 writes:
Pretty sad that we have to clutch at straws to imagine that maybe we aren't as far away from excellence as we would like to think. FireChavis said it pretty simplistically, yet easily discernable. Nasty truth. Also...that recruiting thing? It also is looking ugly. Dream a little dream of orange...but we're still getting smoked and it only looks to get worse.
SmokeDog72 writes:
Correction to Title:
"Fulmer: Menu Changes a Distraction"
Hixson_Vol writes:
But the problem is, BigVol, PF is panicing. How else do you explain asking Cutcliffe to stay when DC didn't stay before the MNC game? PF is causing these distractions by not cutting Cut loose, and moving on. Why not name Taylor as the "temp" OC? He must know Taylor can't do the job. A previous poster made a great analogy with the Kevin Ramsey situation at Georgia a few years ago.
jerseythunderhawk#586378 writes:
You mean the new sugar free menu? Bummer.
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