In a league as competitive as the SEC, two head-coaching changes at the end of the football season are hardly stunning. But when you factor in the coordinator changes, this qualifies as a volatile post-season.
Half of the conference teams will have either a new offensive or defensive coordinator next fall. Get used to the turnover.
The more money coaches make, the less security they have. That applies to head coaches and coordinators.
And since coordinators don't have the power to fire head coaches, it's obvious who's more vulnerable.
The prevailing question: "What have you done for me lately?"
In 2004, Auburn went 13-0, thanks, in part, to the work of offensive coordinator Al Borges, whom coach Tommy Tuberville hired after the 2003 season. He rejuvenated the career of quarterback Jason Campbell, much as former Tennessee offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe did with quarterback Erik Ainge. Borges also found creative ways of using star running backs Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown.
Three years later, after Auburn ended the regular season ranked 101st in the country in total offense, Borges resigned. "Resigned" should be considered a euphemism.
Two years ago, South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier began the season with co-defensive coordinators in John Thompson and Tyrone Nix. In the second half of the season, Nix was given total control of the defense as Thompson took a leave of absence. Thompson never returned, and Nix became the Gamecocks' sole defensive coordinator.
Despite returning only one defensive starter in 2006, the Gamecocks ranked 29th nationally in scoring defense, and Nix got plenty of the credit. This season, when the Gamecocks unraveled after a 6-1 start, Nix got plenty of blame.
He has since taken the defensive coordinator's job on coach Houston Nutt's new staff at Ole Miss. He is returning to his native state and getting a substantial raise. But would he have made that move if his boss were satisfied with the defense?
The offensive-minded Spurrier began spending practice time with the defense late in the season after South Carolina gave up 51 points to Florida and 48 to Arkansas. Although the defense improved in the regular-season finale, it faltered when Clemson pulled off its last-minute, game-winning drive, which included a third-and-18 conversion.
Whenever a successful head coach has an "off season," he invariably points out his overall track record. That doesn't work as well for coordinators.
Borges was Auburn's most valuable coach in its unbeaten season three years ago when he had three first-round draft picks in his offensive backfield. He had nowhere near that talent this season.
Instead, he had a mediocre quarterback, no big-time playmakers at wide receiver, and a starting offensive line that included three true freshmen.
For a head coach, that would constitute an excuse. For a coordinator, it constitutes a resignation.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.
UT's new $45 million football…
Images from Larry Murphy's book on…
Smokey undergoes physical therapy at UT
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 30
Hacksaw57 writes:
If the AD or Head Coach saw the interview with Cutcliff during the Duke/Pitt BB game with all the cr*p he was spouting about what he was going to do at Duke, 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.
GerryOP writes:
Saw it Hacksaw, I agree. The good news is, Duke lost!
BigVolinCarolina writes:
Didn't see the interview. I'm thankful for all of Coach Cut's work and loyalty to UT; however, you can't serve two masters.
It would probably be in everyone's (UT and Duke) best interest if he stepped away from UT and focused on Duke.
Hixson_Vol writes:
Doesn't it show how inept that Fulmer is that he can't run the offense without Cutcliffe?
FWBVol writes:
Where does it say Fulmer can't run the offense without Cutcliffe. If needed, Phillip Fulmer could coach the offense just fine. He was the offensive coordinator before Cutcliffe. Does he know as much about coaching quarterbacks as David Cutcliffe? No, but he would be capable of doing the job. As head coach his job is to surround himself with the right people to do the various jobs.
I didn't see the interview with Cutcliffe, but I have no problems with him promoting his new program. The football team is off until Christmas and the game plan is in place. There is nothing he could be doing that will get the team any more prepared for Wisconsin at this point.
From everything I understand, David Cutcliffe is one of the best organized and well prepared coaches in the country. I think Cutcliffe has earned the opportunity to coach in the bowl game. I think it will be good for the team, and gives the young quarterbacks a few more days to learn from one of the masters of the position.
Hixson_Vol writes:
When Cutcliffe left the first time, he immediately went to Ole Miss. This is before the national championship game! Don't you think he "earned" the opportunity to coach in that game? (whatever that means) The difference is that Fulmer had Sanders to fall back on. This time, he has no one to hide his ineptness. He would have no one to blame but himself if the Vols lose to Wisconsin. He is already building up the excuses in the paper with all the talk of the distractions. He doesn't care about the distractions because if he did he would have told Cutcliffe that he was fine without him. I'm beginning to believe the rumors that Jimmy Sexton was spreading the word that Cutcliffe was in poor health so he wouldn't be considered for better jobs than Duke and therefore stay at UT. Fulmer is freaking out right now about Cutcliffe leaving.
utvols1 writes:
wait till he sees his final recruiting results. One of the worst ever-no Cut, TT gone and 2 more follow Cut to Duke. He'll hire someone from inside.
Just shoot me now.
BigOrangeJeff writes:
Good lord. When Cut accepted the HC job at Ole Miss, he was branded a traitor and a turncoat for opting to not coach the bowl game. Now that he's earned another HC position and staying on for the bowl game, he's called unfocused, conflicted, and crooked.
Here's a suggestion. Take this quarter, go buy yourselves a clue, formulate a lucid, well thought out argument, and come back when you've had some time to think. Until then, try not to speak.
scvol12 writes:
So, Cutcliffe leaves before the National Championship game but hangs around for the Outback Bowl. Makes no sense.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Adams, other coordinators also, I suspect, are in a quandry.
Wisconsin's (remember them) OC is faced with putting together a game plan. Should he run primarily against an 68th ranked rush defense? Or come by air against an 84th ranked defense?
Should he maintain his awesome (3rd natl) ranked time of possession by plowing forward ala Hester? Or should he take the open 7 yd outs?
I have hope Cut can sustain some loooong drives. If tendencies hold, this could be a 34-27 doozy.
Who will start at LB if McCoy sits? Get ready, Vols. Merry Christmas.
gvegasvol writes:
Hey FireChavis...you're an idiot. Get away from your keyboard and get an education!
BigOrangeJeff writes:
scvol12,
Good point. There are a lot of potential reasons for Cut's decisions to stay through the bowl or to leave.
Perhaps it was a condition of his signing with Ole Miss.
Maybe, in his first stint as HC, he felt it important to get a jump on recruiting by leaving a month or so early.
It could be that, since Duke and UT don't historically recruit the same players, Fulmer has told him that he can recruit kids during off time.
Who knows what the reasons are/were. I'll trust Coach Fulmer to do what's best for the team. He's given the program more blood, sweat, and tears than all of us collectively who post or read these boards.
scvols writes:
This is what happen to Randy Sanders, he should have been offense coordinator of the SEC in 2004. We went to the SEC Champ game with two freshman QB's, then 05 came and he was gone.
writer#358485 writes:
I've been reading these posts for a long time, only commenting occassionally. Often, the posts are more fun to read than the stories--not more illuminating, but more fun. What you get from the posts is passionate opinion and caring. Even the negative posters care deeply, or they would find something better to do with their time. Keep going, all of you--even the TDTNs and CRVOLs add color and excitement with their virulent negative posts. I know there are hundreds of teams around the country that would be very happy if they had such passionately involved fans. I'm glad KNS watches to keep the obsenity down, and there's not much you can do about the inanity. But you guys sure are a lot of fun to read!
bowerst#242774 writes:
Hey, FireChavis, the word is ineptitude, not ineptness. Since you are so inept at grammar, I say we fire you.
copan07#220906 writes:
Maybe this has already been discussed...Why is Cutcliffe coaching this game when he did not coach the National Championship game in '98?
bullfrog07 writes:
Cut went to the game to meet w/ some Duke Alumini and boosters to promote football. He could have went to there game Monday night in Durham but didn't b/c of UT's practice schedule. I think he will be fine (well I should say no worse or better than he normally is). To be honest he won't have any pressures so he may even open things up a bit. If your in his shoes who wouldn't have his new job on his mind.
knoxtenor writes:
Ask yourself, "How much attention have I given to jobs after I've turned in my notice?" 'nuff said.
vscebail#247785 writes:
mcbrimm1998, I am just glad that Tennessee will never be careless enough to ever hire a coach like Ron ZOOK! GO VOLS!
oasis3#214380 writes:
Cut was named the coach at Ole Miss before the SEC championship game. It was a situation in which Cut could start recruiting for Ole Miss and Sanders was in line for the UT job. Cut can not do much recruiting for Duke right now and no one is in line to replace him. Totally different situation from 1998. Some of you guys wake up in the morning trying to think of something to female dog about.
TommyJack writes:
Oasis: Exactly.
stroker writes:
RIght on FWBVol and oasis tell'um.
Hixson_Vol writes:
bowerst, ineptness is the noun form of inept, though I do agree with you that ineptitude could easily be used in this situation, too.
I think Fulmer fits all the definitions below in his handling of the situtaion.
Main Entry: in·ept
Pronunciation: \i-ˈnept\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle French inepte, from Latin ineptus, from in- + aptus apt
Date: 1542
1 : lacking in fitness or aptitude : unfit <inept at sports>
2 : lacking sense or reason : foolish
3 : not suitable to the time, place, or occasion : inappropriate often to an absurd degree <an inept metaphor>
4 : generally incompetent : bungling <inept leadership>
synonyms see awkward
— in·ept·ly \-ˈnep(t)-lē\ adverb
— in·ept·ness \-nəs\ noun
pdhuff#552644 writes:
TommyJack, got any left?
bowerst#242774 writes:
You know, Fulmer, Chavis and Cutcliffe may not be the geniuses of the football world, but I think they all deserve a little better treatment than to be called names. They certainly didn't win them all and here lately the results have been far worse than they were a decade ago. But these guys won lots of football games and they brought UT its first national title in 47 years.
Is it time for a change? Probably.
Just like 40 or so years ago when Dickey brought the program into the modern era offensively, it is about time we stepped into the next era. But let's not trash men who did their best and who sure brought lots of fine players in here for us to go see on Saturday. Not many fans were privileged to see the likes of Manning, Wilson, Lewis, Grant, Henry, etc.
I realize these men are paid well for what they do, but the job takes them away from their families to the point that I doubt most of us would be willing to trade places. Especially if the comments you and your family receive are anything like those posted here.
Hixson_Vol writes:
The truth hurts, doesn't it, bowerst? I bet you wake up in the middle of the night screaming your head off in frustration.
budd#207344 writes:
nafslov,WHO? Rex Grossman,Danny Wurffle, or some of your top notch wideouts that adorn the special teams units of so many teams.
You people were nothing but probation whores til Spurrier came around. And guess where Stevie is from? It aint Tallahassee
You loser
thesavageorange writes:
nafslov :This may be off by 1-2, but you are wrong.Former Vols in the NFL(last 10 yrs)35.Gators 30.Now ,you could make the argument that we maybe should have had a better record in the last ten.Check it out.http://www.gatorzone.com/insidefootba... http://www.volnation.com/vols_in_NFL.php
Merv writes:
The logic of Adams' column is that the coach's tenure is related to what he is paid. ... At one extreme, you pay him big bucks to win, with the downside being that you let him go if he doesn't win. At the other extreme, you pay him a lesser sum but you don't run him off if he loses a few. ... Obviously, UT has chosen to pay PCF under the first approach. The question is whether UT will tell PCF 'adios' if he keeps losing important games. ... This is the issue that Adams intended to raise, but he's too shy to do so directly.
ncvol17 writes:
Lame Duck (2 or will it be 4)coaches + lost to academics starters = embarrasing performance and big loss on National TV
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.