Event Details
- What: Tennessee vs. Louisiana-Lafayette
- When: Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007, time TBA
- Where: Neyland Stadium
- Cost: Not available
- Age limit: All ages
Tennessee Stat Book
Phillip Fulmer knows criticism. It comes with the job he's had since 1992.
But Tennessee's football coach has never faced the type of media scrutiny he's faced this season.
Gone is the national championship equity he earned in 1997 and 1998. That was spent during a 5-6 season in 2005.
Now, local and national media are questioning the future of a program that still controls its SEC destiny in November.
In this question and answer, Fulmer, talks about the SEC East race, the media criticism and how important it is to leave the Vols on a championship level.
Q: Did you have any idea the SEC East would be this jumbled?
A: I don't think anybody could have predicted how the season has gone in the SEC East.
At the beginning of the season, you certainly knew Kentucky would be a good team, or a better team. And Vanderbilt, both of them had made progress. You could see that when you played against them the year before.
South Carolina, you felt like was going to be better. And, of course, always at the top of the league, it's tough.
You could have not predicted how crazy it's been and who's beaten who, but that it was going to be a competitive year certainly.
Q: Do you view the parity as a trend or an aberration?
A: It's always a competitive league, but it's different this year because I think guys have cycled themselves up into having good teams.
Q: Do you think media criticism of your program has been fair?
A: I think on a national level that it's more prevalent than it's ever been with all programs. … The abilities to communicate are making things complicated as far as potential distractions to a team.
Q: How much different is that compared to when you first started coaching at UT?
A: You're much more scrutinized than you've ever been.
Q: Athletic director Mike Hamilton said familiarity might actually work against you with some fans. How do you think that affects fans' opinion of your job performance?
A: I'd say they're entitled to their opinion. Everybody's entitled to their opinion.
I would not get into a conflict with fans and people that pretty much aren't familiar with what goes on - on a daily basis in college football, period.
Q: Has that been tough on you and your family?
A: Nobody likes to be criticized. But you go on and do your job and do your job the best that you can. It would be silly if I sit and worried about those things constantly because it distracts you from what you're trying to do.
Q: How close is UT to being at a national championship level?
A: The first thing you've got to do is win the (SEC) East. Then if you can do that, you certainly want to compete for the SEC Championship. If you do that, you're going to be somewhere in that mix. If you get the cart before the horse, you're going to have problems.
We have had some difficulty with injuries this year, particularly in the secondary, going back to last year, which we tried to address in recruiting. We're actually right now probably more talented back there than we were at the beginning of the season. We're just very youthful.
I don't know how many programs in the country could overcome, basically, five starters in a year not being there any longer with injuries and dismissals and things and still have a competitive position like our secondary is shaping up to be.
I'm really happy about that. If we can do that at other positions with the youth on this football team, I think we've got a chance - a real chance - to make a run at the national championship in short order.
Q: How much optimism does the 2007 recruiting class give you?
A: It's as good as we've had here. One, there's a lot of talent in it. Two, they are really, really fine young men. You can go back also to what's now our sophomore class, those two classes together are pretty good.
Q: How much longer do you want to coach?
A: I like coaching. I love being around the players. I really like the preparation for games. I like recruiting. I like all aspects of it, most of all the kids, seeing them grow into manhood.
Q: You've said former Nebraska coach Tom Osborne is a mentor. How significant would it be to end on a high note, like Osborne?
A; I don't know that anybody wouldn't want that. … That's certainly what everybody wants.
Q: In your mind, is that a "have to" for your career?
A: I hope I get a chance to do that. That's what I would like to do, yes.
Memorable moments in Pat Summitt's…
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Phillip Fulmer through the years
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 81
vtvol#210290 writes:
This is as about as tough probing an interview as the powder-puff questions that lobbed to Phil on UTSPORTS.COM.
agentorange writes:
he's been a good coach for a long time. college football goes in cycles. we're still coming out of a down one right now.
mdvol writes:
No doubt, vtvol. Why even write this article if you're not going to ask the questions the whole fan base wants to know? What has happened to our defense? How do you explain no SEC Championships in 10 years amidst consistent top ten recruiting classes? No BCS bowl? Is this the "next level" you proclaimed in 1998? Is Hooker just trying to get back in the good graces of the athletic dept? Stick to facts about recruiting, Hooker. Your investigative reporting is about as hard-hitting as our special teams.
gohawks1 writes:
The wins and losses of all teams in the SEC this year are surprising to me as it probably is to everyone. An occasional loss is to be expected in this league.
My dissatisfaction comes from being totally dominated in our three losses. That, to me, is what is unacceptable for the VOLS football program. Don't blame that on our youth - Florida is a young team, too. We have the talent. Our coaching staff needs to step it up and have these guys prepared.
FLVol writes:
Sounds to me like he wants another year or 2 to win an NC and ride off into the sunset. I hope he can do that. Let's start by winning the next 4 games and play the west champion in Atlanta. I hope like heck it's Alabama. I want another piece of that team!
chrisw2967 writes:
Fulmer:I would not get into a conflict with fans and people that pretty much aren't familiar with what goes on - on a daily basis in college football, period. also Fulmer says he likes preparation for games.
I dont think he is familiar with what goes on - on a daily basis in college football ,period.
Lets see , he cant remember Lincolns name and doesnt know if Hrdesty played or not and he says he is familiar with football. why dont he just come out and say that the game has passed him by and move on.
As far as him and preparation for games , I bet he does , he does not do nothing to get the players prepared for a game. Just shows up and stay the course
gohawks1 writes:
I agree. Nothing would be finer than another shot at those cheatin' crimson necks. If they were to beat the Vols again, then I'd shut up. Until then, GO VOLS! One game at a time... take 'em all!
gohawks1 writes:
For clarification - I agree with FLVol's comment about another shot at Bama above.....
justin35us#209705 writes:
Injuries have nothing to do with that secondary trying to knock people down instead of wrapping up and tackling. That goes back to Deon Grant and Rashad Baker. Tackling is tackling and this secondary does not put forth effort in tackling. Why does that never get said to the coach when he uses that excuse?
creepykev#228270 writes:
Deon Grant wasn't about knocking people down he did the matador method of tackling. He didn't like the contact just the interceptions.
DSaVol writes:
Hey Hooker - did you give him a big fat wet one right on the mouth when you were through???? LMAO!!! This is almost sadder than what we've seen on the field!
vol52 writes:
Coach Fulmer is delusional, period. We are so far from winning a national championship it would be funny if it were not sad. I hope we do win out. Play bama in the championship game and BEAT them this time. I suppose Fulmer is happy with his bowl performances since the NC. Getting blown out is not acceptable and they are starting to appear. He is doing historical damage to his reputation and allowing the football program to sag to a level we have not seen since Coach Battle.
CrankE writes:
"I would not get into a conflict..."
Then please explain your response to John Pennington's column. Were you mad at Pennington, or the former players (who, we would have to assume are familiar with what goes on)?
____________________________
"...a competitive position like our secondary is shaping up to be."
With whom is our secondary is competitive? Are you familiar with the career passing days that have been set this year against this secondary by our opponents?
________________________
On balance, I'll give Hooker some credit. He asked some fair questions and didn't play the 60 minutes, gotcha journalism that I hate. He gave Fulmer an opportunity to set to rights anything that had been said wrong about him or the team. He screwed it.
Fulmer arguably failed to deliver a straight answer to any of these questions. What gives?
How much of this criticism would evaporate if Fulmer could simply be an honest, stand up guy? If a man gives his best, what else is there? Instead, we get excuses, check the film, work 15 minutes on tackling, and magic dust.
Mike Hamilton: Please get "The Heck" out of here.
BigUn writes:
I didn't think it was possible to ask Fulmer any questions softer than what Bob Kesling does, but I gotta a hand it to you Hook, you beat Kesling with the softballs.
If you want a real interview, why don't you take some questions emailed to you from some fans and then pick some of those and ask him.
We have had some difficulty with injuries this year"-Fulmer
Gee, that's a new one. I also see that he throws youthful in there as well. Let's see, UF beat us by 39 with a much more youthful team than we have. So did Bama, but luckily we improved enough to only lose by 24 to them. And now I see some posters on here delusional enough to actually want a piece of Bama again in the SECG. Why? Wanna give JPWilson and DJ Hall another chance to break their career records they set against us?
Fact of the matter is, if we make it to Atlanta, we will lose no matter who we play. So if we have to lose to somebody I would much rather lose to LSU than Bama.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Coach Fulmer wants Tennessee to win another National Championship. I support Tennessee. We have the same desires. Until his boss deems him incapable of doing his job, or he decides to retire. I will support him and Tennessee.
It is not our place to call for his head. Who the heck do we think we are. We just sit around and watch football on Saturdays. We think we are some great service to the University because we wear orange and by a ticket. Guess what, the game is not for us... it is for the players. We just tag along.
GO VOLS!!!
By the way, I'd like to get Bama again but I think LSU will be there and that scares the phooey out of me.
imnotwithphil writes:
What an arrogant jackass... Unbelievable that there are still fans that support this guy...
firefulmer (Inactive) writes:
imnotwithphil----spam247duster is your biggest Fulmer butt-kisser.
gohawks1 writes:
All good points, justisis......
takebkknox writes:
I believe Coach has earned the right to ride out on his own terms. If that's ten years from now so be it. I have to hand it to KNS for finally giving us a little positive reading material. It's tough eating all that cajun phooey Adams likes to feed us. Speaking of Adams, it was GREAT hearing him get grilled by callers on the show today. Go Vols!!!
invisiblekid writes:
IT'S SOFTBALL TIME IN TN!! I figure this is a make-up for the transgressions of Pennington. Hooker is simply doing his job and there is nothing wrong with that. Afterall, it's important to stay in the good graces of "The Godfather" of UT athletics and "The Dean" of SEC coaches. Therefore, no questions about being ranked near the bottom of the list in almost every conceivable defensive category and no mention of being utterly humiliated by the Vols two most bitter rivals.
vol4jesus writes:
VOLCR why did you change your poster name from Crvol? Negative vibes? A new man?(not so from same old rants)Just curious why you felt the need to be a new poster instead of old one. Happy posting! Go VOLS!!!
weisgarber2003#313889 writes:
"VOLCR why did you change your poster name from Crvol? Negative vibes? A new man?(not so from same old rants)Just curious why you felt the need to be a new poster instead of old one. Happy posting!"
Nothing wrong with VOLCR or CRVOL. His posts are much more credible than some of the "Fulmerphiles" here. Another NC for Phil? Talk is cheap and there is about as much chance of that as a snowstorm in Hades. Fulmer cannot even win a conference title, or get to a BCS bowl. Talk about mediocrity.
dowdpat#654244 writes:
I can't wait till this time next year when we get the excuse "We have a quaterback who is a first year starter and thats why were 5-3". Always a recycled excuse since 99.
FWBVol writes:
VolCR, I thought you knew so much in your crystal ball that you would be telling us all about La.Lafayette.
If I've learned one thing in my 49 1/2 years of living, it's that those who are constantly telling others how much they know or what they've accomplished usually don't know as much nor have they accomplished as much as they claim.
The guy dating the Homecoming queen or head cheerleader in high school never had to brag about it, we all knew. The best athletes and students didn't have to tell us either, we knew. In the real world professionals don't have to brag about how good they are, their reputations speaks for itself.
If those who want Phillip Fulmer gone need to call those who support the Volunteer head coach names, then it demonstrates a weakness or insecurity on their part.
Could the Q&A been tougher? Yes. But don't blame Phillip Fulmer for answering the questions and not stooping to a name-calling level.
MN4Vols writes:
Great to see positive comments about UT football from nicksjuzunk and FWBVol. Keep the faith and GO VOLS!
BigUn writes:
FWB,
We didn't blame Fulmer for answering the softballs, we blame him for giving stupid condescending answers. Apparently Fulmer doesn't realize that the days of legions of adoring fans lapping up his coachspeak phrases that "everything is ok, it's just a little bit here and there all coming together for the perfect storm" is the only reason we aren't successful anymore, are long gone. Fans see the product on the field and we can really tell if it is "an effort problem" w/out having to be told like 2 year olds that it isn't. Yet he still gives out this phooey about injuries, again, still talks about a young team, again, even though there are other teams that are younger and better.
Coach Fulmer, we see the phooey you have put on the field so no matter how much you drink the orange kool-aid and gloss it over, true fans still know that we are miles away from being competitive, much less, winning the SEC.
As the poster above mentioned, next year when we get ripped again by our rivals, Fulmer will have the "young QB" excuse.
It's a never ending cycle with him which won't change until he is gone.
snafu14u#241639 writes:
He has the ability to cloud men's minds.bonzaivol
TNWOLFPUP writes:
Someone remind me again why I'm still a Vols Fan and interested in what's going on at all with this team as long as Fulmer is still around????
powert#205805 writes:
So Ainge is gone; you start a QB who has never really shown anything and a defense that's as effective as a screen door on a submarine and "I think we've got a chance - a real chance - to make a run at the national championship in short order".
Sounds like a guy begging for one more year of making the big bucks before the buyout.
GreerVol22 writes:
I felt that of all the softballs Hooker threw, the Q about how much longer he wanted to coach was the most dodged answer. "I love the players"?? If he was truly fired up and still full of old Phil piss and vinegar then he would have been all over that one. Somethig besides "I like recruiting, I like this and that..."
Seems and awful big belly to have so little fire in it.
Vol_N_Texas writes:
nicksjuzunk, WELL PUT!!! Living in Germany, I only get what games are selected for the military TV networks. Whatever the outcome I will always support UT athletics. Sure the defense is pitiful, the offense has a tendancy to fall asleep at halftime, and the coaches don't have a clue as to how to fix what's wrong, but we're just a bunch of armchair QBs and coaches. If anyone thinks they can fix the prolems and put up with the media and fans, SUBMIT YOUR RESUME TO HAMILTON!!! I'd love to be a fly on the wall after their first butt whippin.
jweaver3#395614 writes:
ilove, You can jump off anytime no one will stop you. You are either with UT or against UT, no in betweens!!! No matter whom the coach is I support the VOLS and will rely on Mike as long as he is AD to make the right calls on the coach.
He seemed to do the right thing in basketball in spite of all the pro Peterson fans. He made the change and never looked back!!!
GO VOLS!!!
TXVOLSFAN
vol52 writes:
Coach Fulmer should go into politics because he beats arround the bush. He was the only coach at the atlanta caravan which took no questions after speaking.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
jweaver, I do not agree. 99% of the posters on this sight support the players and the team. The conflict centers around CPF and the staff. This has been the argument all along. So...you can support the players (team) but not support the coaching... and I wish we could eliminate the "True Vol Fan" tag. IT makes no sense.
auttat writes:
CRVol, did you have to sign up for a new email address to get back on here?
USC 6-2, underachiever of the year,
Florida 5-3, beat our a@# but have the same record
Georgia 6-2, we beat there a@#
Maybe I need a better explanation than that Lazhil.
Nicksjuzunk, great post!! Nothing else needs to be said.
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
well..... first of all GO VOLS....... second, they will not win their final 3 sec games..... they will be doing good to win one of them......so....coach fulmer and friends..... no sec east title.....no sec title.....no national prestige consideration..... defense is just not even close to being dominate....
:(
pauln500#205995 writes:
But for the crippling attrition Fulmer is talking about, our cornerbacks would be Inky Johnson (who suffered a career-ending injury) and Demetrice Morley (who flunked out). With Heffney and Berry, we would now be playing with this all-SEC secondary.
In this case, our econd teamers would have been Roshoun Fellows (who also flunked out) and Antonio Gaines (who suffered a season-ending injury). Marsalous Johnson (who is also injured) would have been third team. Our present starters would have been buried somewhere on the scout squad.
Anyone who evaluates the situation fairly must agree that Fulmer has a point. I challenge anyone to find a team with that kind of devastation in one single area. No amount of coaching by Fulmer, Chavis, or anyone else could have prevented this situation.
vol52 writes:
TouchdownTN, I would pay $20 a ticket increase to get rid Fulmer. They add that 12 game which is a joke game any way. Standards have been lowered at UT Football. I do have seasons tickets and make a contribution also. I am not happy.
waterskier3#226480 writes:
vol nation fulmer could care less about the fans becasue he says he doesn't think we should complain because we don't know the workings of the day to day things in college football.. give me a break i can promise you that watching them play on sat tells volumes about what they do during the week but hey as long as we go to the games etc... his fat butt could care less...about the fans that fill the stadium on sat.....
$7m to buy this clown out and i question mike hamilton two years ago giving him and the staff extensions and contracts... they haven't prove anything in a long time..
we're stuck with this sorry *&^% coaching staff and NO WE ARE NOT GOING TO ATLANTA SO CANCEL YOUR RESERVATIONS....
Oenoboy writes:
Legions of the Miserables unite and declare your desires once again and again and again…etc!
First off, Fulmer wasn't using the injuries in the secondary as an excuse for anything. He used it as an example of the young talent he has and actually says he's happy with that part of his team. You have to be able to do two things at once fellers, read and comprehend. If you don’t agree with what he says, fine, but at least know what it is you disagree with.
To imnotwithphil. You are a cowardly. It's easy to call someone a name or attack his or her character hiding behind a moniker. For one thing, I can guarantee you have not met the man socially and if you did you would not have the guts to say it to his face. I give the same message to a handful of you on this site. Like Phil said, you have a right to your opinions. However, those of you who use unsubstantiated character insults and childish name calling to somehow support your opinions are all cowardly in your actions. If your opinion holds merit, it shouldn’t require defamation of others to support it. So imnotwithphil, do you want to point out something in Phils responses you find arrogant, indicates he is a jackass, or perhaps add anything that can be considered useful or better yet intelligent? Somehow I doubt it.
TouchdownTN. 10 years of steady decline? We missed playing in the NC in `01, had double digit seasons in `03 and `04, and the NC was only 9 years ago! Also, jweaver didn’t say he was a fan of Houston or Peterson. All he said was you are either a UT fan or you are not, no matter the coach. I’m assuming everyone on this site agrees with that because everyone in the Jettison Phil pact constantly reminds us they are fans and I tend to believe them. I go back to the point that you can’t just read the words, you have to form them in sentences and comprehend them at the same time.
GoVol writes:
Fulmer says that if he listened to critisism it would be distracting to his job.
1. If he would perform better there wouldn't be so much critisism since '98.
2. Maybe he should listen to some of it, since 'his way' doesn't seem to be too effective these days. That's his problem, he not open to any 'new ideas' or a new way of thinking.
His comfort level lies in what he knows, and these days it appears what Fulmer knows - all of the other teams know also. Translation: our tendencies are so familiar and predictable for the past 7 years it is super easy to scout us.
Oenoboy writes:
Fulmer is not getting fired people so you can and should move on with the subject. Hamilton has made it crystal clear he is behind Fulmer. And no, that does not make him a bad AD. I think he's proven his worth in that department with the energy in UT's other programs. He obviously thinks this is the best choice for now and pretty much betting his UT career on it. If I had to choose between him knowing what is best between any or you or me for that matter, I think I’ll go with the pro.
If Phil cannot get it done in a couple of years, he won't have to be fired, you can pretty much be assured he will step down. If he does get it done and wins the SEC or more, then he will likely retire. Either way, you only have him for a few more years, no matter what you say.
Until then...GO VOLS!!!
jdcvols#230433 writes:
Oenoboy, I'm glad you enjoy mediocracy! I don't and you shouldn't either. I guess the kool-aid has gotten to you just like mjohnson.
auttat writes:
tngeoff, if you want us to follow your posts, learn to spell and write in coherent sentences.
auttat writes:
touchdown, please get off your knees. Until Pearl gets past the Sweet 16, he is simply in the same boat as several other bball coaches that have been at UT. Please tell me how he gets a free pass? UT had a 20 point lead at the half and lost, and you are ranting on making in-game adjustments. It's called expectations. You expect UT football to win, but you don't expect UT basketball to win. Fulmer is a victim of his own success.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
Slow Down SJT18, I have NEVER said I HATE CPF. I have not put down any of the players either. My issue is with CPF and the TREND of our football team. I don't agree that we should re-set the bar based on the 2005 season either. We have lost too many games over the past 5-6 season including some very bad bowl games. If your happy and pleased with the status of our football program then I'm happy for you. I'm not happy and most disappointed about the TREND. Being 5-3 at this point is not improvement over 2006 especially the way that we have lost some games. In 2005 and 2006, we lost games by just a few points now we are getting clobbered. I do not like it and neither should you.
kkebean#233101 writes:
My, How we stand behind our TEAM! We are such a great fan base it really hurts to read some of these comments! I feel as though WE are letting them (The TEAM) and I do mean every member of the TEAM down! From the top to the bottom of our TEAM from Coach Fulmer to the students that do the laundry and put that beautiful BIG ORANGE "T" on the helmets for each game! Wish WE all could pull for them in a way that they could feed off of the Positive Energy, and not the phooey on these comments that are so often posted which carries over into every aspect of each game as well as the lives we live!!!
vol52 writes:
auttat Pearl is not in the same boat with the other coaches. He took Peterson's team minus two starters and advanced the expectation like no other coach. Look at the ticket sales. Look at the expectations. The first time I saw the mens BB team play they left nothing on the floor. I can't say that for the FB team.
waodell21#286186 writes:
nick,
I was reading through and couldn't help but stop on your post. Not to degrade or anything, but you are an idiot if you think the fans are just "here to tag along" and that football is just for the players. Without fans, there would be no football. It would be nothing more than you and your buddies getting together to play on a Saturday afternoon and there would be no money involved to buy nice things like a 100,000+ seat stadium or new Adidas jerseys or face shields, etc. People who put their money into something and follow something as closely as Tennessee fans or fans of any team around the country, are allowed to voice their opinions and call for the heads of coaches because our money poured into the UT program is like an investment placed into an interest bearing checking account, only our reward is not measured in dollars, but that feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when you know your team is better than that other team they line up against on Saturdays and UT fans have not felt that feeling in sometime-AO
auttat writes:
"Here's a simple solution in a short post for just for you..."
Haha, classic!! I read your posts, tngeoff, cause I try to figure out which side of the fence you are on for the day.
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