Tennessee’s football team doesn’t figure to lose any players with the departure of offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe or wide receivers coach Trooper Taylor.
UT coach Phillip Fulmer said Thursday that no players have approached him about the possibility of transferring.
“Not a single one,” he said. “Once the new staff gets in here, the new guys get in here, that usually sorts itself out pretty quick.”
Taylor, one of UT’s best coaches on the recruiting trail and the assistant head coach for player development, had an emotional meeting with his players Wednesday when he informed them of his decision to become co-offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State.
“We talked about it,” Taylor said. “I was crying. There was some of them in there crying, some mad. But I told them, feelings are neither wrong or right. They just are. So it’s OK to be upset right now.”
Wide receiver Austin Rogers said Monday some players had talked about transferring if Taylor were to leave.
Taylor addressed that in the players’ meeting, too.
“What I want for them to understand is I would never have told them to come to Tennessee if it wasn’t the best place for them,” he said. “And that doesn’t change.
“Tennessee’s going to win a bunch of ballgames with a bunch of good players and good kids. I told them this is where they need to be.”
Taylor’s move occurred during an NCAA dead period for recruiting, which extends until Jan. 3.
During that time, coaches are permitted one phone call a week to prospects, and Fulmer hasn’t been shy about dialing commitments and prospects to let them know about the changes.
“Obviously I’ve contacted most of the young men that would be involved in this sort of change,” Fulmer said. “It looks like all of our commitments are holding fine. Everybody I’ve talked to certainly understands that this is an upward mobile profession.”
Cutcliffe was hired as Duke’s head coach last weekend.
Fulmer also said he cautions recruits from basing their decision solely on an assistant coach, who may or not be there for the player’s entire career.
“They should never make a decision based on an assistant coach. I tell most of them that in their home,” he said. “You just don’t do that, because during your four years he might not be there.
“We’ve been very blessed to have coaches here for a long period of time. But you make decisions based on the history, the tradition, the opportunity and the head coach.”
Both Cutcliffe and Taylor will remain with the team through the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1 against Wisconsin.
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Comments » 59
madisonvillevol writes:
if you take another job, you should be off the staff immediately!
VOLinDAWGland writes:
That all depends on the person you're dealing with. I've had some employees resign that I asked to leave immediately and paid them to go, I've had others work through a transition period. Given the time of year and the upcoming bowl game and the nature of TT and Cut, I trust Fulmer's judgement to have them assist with the preparation of this game. It can also help ease the transition for the players before their new coaches arrive.
CoverOrange writes:
Interesting that players celebrated Cut going to Duke (Cameron Crazy cheers) but WRs were "mad" that Taylor was leaving.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
Fulmer's comment about choosing the school based on factors including the HC doesn't really apply to Bobby 'Quit'rino and Nick Satan.
TommyJack writes:
The Badgers are probably getting Woodrow Wilsons just thinking about the boondoggle going on here.
bernardking writes:
Some of you may choose to label this a "boondoggle" because it is your right. The reality is that it isn't that big of a deal and it is more of an opportunity than a problem. Coaches leave for other jobs all the time. Because of the really low turnover rate on Fulmer's staff, people have a tendency to overdramatize any change. Many of you are forgetting the turnover on Majors' staff. This is a good thing and I seriously doubt if Wisconsin's coaches are thinking we won't be anything but fully prepared to play them.
inquiry writes:
I'm concerned that Tampa is becoming a Boondoggle trip.. why win it, and for what reason??
heathut15 writes:
i am a tn native and i to am a vol living in the middle of the bulldog country i really hate that this is happening ut football is one of the things i look forward to and this is just crazy what the hell is going on in ktown
tndrum#214683 writes:
madisonville-How does that help us win on Jan. 1? Why in the world would you ADD to the distractions of the current situation by taking the guy who is Ainge's mentor, the guy who has developed the plan for this game, the guy who has been calling plays the last two years, and shove him out the door? So who calls plays after you boot him out? Here are your choices; somebody who has never called a single offensive play in their entire career at UT or the head coach. Which do you want? I think winning this bowl game is incredibly important in terms of momentum going into next year, recruiting, etc... And I think the best chance we have of winning this one game is to minimize the distractions on the offensive side of the ball, and make sure that Eric, A. Foster and company are as comfortable in their element as possible. Go ask every offensive player who they want up in the booth for the bowl game. I'd bet you my measly Christmas bonus not one of them says anybody but Cutcliff. And I urge you to find another coach on the staff who has proven more that they are a Tennessee guy than David.
99gator writes:
considering tenn's recent performances in bowl games.... i am not sure this will hurt tenn.
maybe as sjt18 suggests, this will foster a higher level of concentration from everybody in preparation for the game
madisonvillevol writes:
heck, i could call the plays. let's see--run right,
run left, complete pass short of the first down. anybody in this state could call the game. i guarantee you, ainge knows the routine!
Hacksaw57 writes:
Players are not going to jump ship just because this coach left or that coach left. Give them credit for being more intelligent than that. They are more adult that some people think. They know what's at stake and what could be potentially lost for them and to them if they do make such a drastic decision of that nature. Recruiting WILL suffer to a certain degree and that is something that will have to be dealt with. Hell, if they were going to leave they would have left after the Bama fiasco.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
errrr...Badgers, we're pretty sure we have the date right and plan on showing up, I guess. I'm sorry we've shoved you off the map. We do have respect for your 9 win season. (Where are they from?) (Do they run or pass?) Don't pay any attention to the Dook coach. He's part of our master plan. Sorry if you think we're distracted.
The only thing we're transfering is coaches.
Outback Bowl, here we come! Jan 1, Tamper. Fla. Boy Howdy. Fear the Phil, Badgers.
jeremy writes:
wr's threatening to transfer....please. They might transfer to 1AA.
west_tn_volfan writes:
Can't blame Cut or Trooper. Coaching is a profession and moving up in a profession sometimes means changing jobs. They have done their jobs well and they don't owe anyone any more than that. I wish them both the best and UT should be just fine. There are plenty of quality coaches out there that can step in and move the program in the right direction. If we don't get those coaches, it isn't because they aren't available.
Go Vols
invisiblekid writes:
"UT coach Phillip Fulmer said Thursday that no players have approached him about the possibility of transferring."
Well, that's good news. This bowl game could go either way, we'll just all have to sit back and see. More often than not, the Vols have shown trouble maintaining interest in the bowl game the past several years so it's certainly within the realm of reason that they come out and look awful. It also could be a "one for the road" inspirational send-off for Taylor and Cutcliffe.
BTW, thinking of changing my screen name to "Doug Roth" to see if it adds any authority to my posts.
movol77 writes:
When the diarrhea of whining stops, we will still be UT! Most Vol fans look to the future in anticipation. Some choose to live in constipation.
dowdpat#654244 writes:
So long as that WR isn't Gerald Jones then I'm not too worried. He only happens to be from Oklahoma...hmmm.
movol77 writes:
OK. I don't like my last post. Here's a better post:
When the whining stops, we will still be UT!!!!
tenndave writes:
Inquiry:
You must be crazy. Why win any game? Because we are VOLS. If you missed that point, go somewhere else.
Colliervol writes:
OK, our afternoon talk show host in Memphis was at it again today with the cryptic comments about UT. He said "I'm not going to predict whether there will or won't be changes after the bowl game. Let's just leave it that there is still the chance for big changes up there and I'll let it go at that for now." Left himself a lot of wiggle room but he keeps talking like he knows something. (And he claims to have "connections" up there. Whether or not he does, I don't have a clue.) Again, don't shoot the messenger. Just passing along what he said.
rubbervol writes:
Go Big Orange !!!!!!!!
texan writes:
Men I personally am tired of all the bickering and speculating. Let's try to have some fun. Post your favorite moment that you have witnessed in Vol football history followed by the one you wish you could have witnessed. Here are mine:
1992 Vols vs. UF (or is it FU): From where I was sitting on the NE side it looked like he came out of the fog. It was mind blowing. And John Ward's call, classic.:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWyfbd...
1951 Cotton Bowl:
It has been said that Coach Neyland told the team something like this at halftime:
They may be playing the Yellow Rose of Texas now but when it is all said and done they will be playing the Tennessee Waltz.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/bowls06...
Sorry I didn't find link to the quote. Your turn.
texan writes:
Colliervol,
Has Ron Higgins said anything about that on air over there?
chl1958 writes:
Both coaches are going for more money and more opportunity. How could any of us turn that down in our careers?
Time to close ranks,support the VOLS,and look forward to an exciting time for our team! Attitude in sports and in life precipates good things!
Colliervol writes:
Haven't heard him houtxvol. He and another guy do a show on Sunday that I'm going to try to catch and see what his take is. I really like Higgins. I think he does as good a job on the SEC as anybody.
The guy I'm quoting is a guy named John Rainey who actually is on the air to tout his betting service. So I take what he says with a grain of salt for sure. But some of the things he says make some sense about this situation. So we shall see if he is as "connected" as he says he is.
TommyJack writes:
sjt18: I hope you're right.
texan writes:
Colliervol,
Yea if guys like that truly had connections we would be rich betting on the NFL. Check my earlier post. What are your favorites?
99gator writes:
all
because i have a healthy sense of humor....and i know you all will love this...here you go
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bc-2EG...
even i got a kick out of this
texan writes:
And I can see why 99. Typical Gator humor. Question which state has more double wides? TN or FL. Maybe I should retract that question. Good post. At least you have a sense of bad humor.
99gator writes:
houtxvol
sorry, most people who hate florida like it. if i wanted to post something i thought you would have hated, i had plenty of other things to choose from.
TommyJack writes:
99: That's priceless. Who is that diva standing next to Teabag? You know the one I mean!
weisgarber2003#313889 writes:
"OK, our afternoon talk show host in Memphis was at it again today with the cryptic comments about UT. He said "I'm not going to predict whether there will or won't be changes after the bowl game. Let's just leave it that there is still the chance for big changes up there and I'll let it go at that for now."
Maybe the big changes will include Chavis resigning after the bowl game, especially if the defense plays poorly. Someone mentioned a nine win season. A loss to Wisconsin would also mean a five-loss season, just one less than the losing season two years ago. The nine and five record wold mean a three year, 05-07, winning percentage of .600, considerably below being acceptable, and not even as good as the poor overall record this decade.
99gator writes:
tommyjack
that picture has circulated for a long time. i don't know who it is.
she has become famous and no one knows who the heck it is. there is probably a search to find her going on by some radio station.
she has obviously been enhanced. i don't think it is or was his girlfriend, just someone he posed with in a picture.
but, it has been an ongoing joke for awhile
texan writes:
post away expert, 99gator
TommyJack writes:
99gator: Well, she is uh, er memorable.
gohawks1 writes:
TJ, did you say Tebow was in that picture? I didn't notice.....
TommyJack writes:
IP: No kiddin. :)
99gator writes:
here's a link to tebow with some other female types including the photo you say.
to quote mel brooks from history of the world, part 1.... "it's good to be the king"
http://friendsofcrazyjoedavola.blogsp...
99gator writes:
thank goodness tim tebow is not travis henry
gohawks1 writes:
I still haven't seen him, and I've watched it nine times. So far...
TommyJack writes:
Must be tuff being Tebow...
philfan writes:
invisible kid,
It is indeed very good news that no players have approached Fulmer about the possibility of transferring. That is because all the players are fiercely loyal to him because he is so very honest with them. But here are some statistics to mull over. Wisconsin has defeated its last two SEC opponents, in 2005 and 2006. They defeated Auburn 24 to 10 in 2005 and defeated Arkansas by a score of 17 to 14 in 2006. The Badgers are 5-1 in its last six bowl games against the spread, while the Vols are 2-5 ATS in its last seven bowl appearances. I guess they want to wreak havoc in the SEC Eastern Division, beginning January 1. A lady friend I know, from Ohio, has said that Wisconsin is tough, as in, Very Tough. This lady knows her football as well as any man.
What does this all mean? If we are really Volunteers, we all need to think positive thoughts about defeating Wisconsin. A big win over this team (like 40 to 10), a major announcement of a well-known offensive coordinator, and a few bowl losses of a few teams ranked above us, could propel us into the top ten again. This will certainly be a boost to recruiting, which really has not even begun yet. I plan to scream like crazy as the Volunteers defeat Wisconsin. I also plan to drink a few Jack Daniels during the game, and may even say a little prayer. Go vols!!!!!!!!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
philfan - good post. Wisconsin will be tough. Believe their record is 40-10 in last 50 or so. Per madison.com.
Can't tell you how the Vols will play. Very capable of winning-so-so possibility of not showing up.
Believe early 14 point lead could put this one away (How's that for confidence?), but who knows.
Do believe they'll send the house after Ainge. Hope he'll at least try a 3 count before unloading. Go Vols.
RangerForSix writes:
Thanks for the ride T.T. and Cut.
Show me the money, the power and the respect; is what 'EVERY coach is after.'
I love our chances to beat Wisconsin, as long as our 'Team Leaders' motivate everyone to "Stay Together" for ONE GAME!
Everything else will work itself out over the next several months...
We have good players, a solid program and we will 'attract the same kind of guys' who are leaving! So...it's all just fine...lets go win game #10 folks!!!
BigVolinCarolina writes:
If someone wants to transfer, let 'em go to another school. Why have someone on your team who doesn't want to be there?
May those who wear orange do so because that's all they want to wear.
Hacksaw57 writes:
If the AD or Head Coach saw the interview with Cutcliff during the Duke/Pitt BB game, it would put some serious doubt in their minds on how much he(Cutcliff) is not really focused on the task at hand with the football team at UT. Hell, if I were them I would cut the cord and send him packing because his heart is not Orange any more and is just occupying a VERY IMPORTANT position that is in limbo with him in it. If Cutcliff was really focused on our bowl prep then he would have declined the interview. I don't care if the game was in Madison Square Garden or in Timbucktu, I thought it wasn't too classy on his part and it kinda pis**d me off.
txsvol#372416 writes:
Hacksaw was 64, Kiner was 57! SAVol
gohawks1 writes:
I am just happy that Meyer watched the SEC CG from the couch in his den.
Go Vols
movol77 writes:
Hey, did you hear the new joke about how fat the coach is at UT. I heard that he likes donuts. I heard that he drinks orange koolaid. Betcha u ain't heard none of 'em, huh? Ain't I funny?
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