Photo by Saul Young
Coker
Tennessee running back LaMarcus Coker faces dismissal from the football team depending on the results of another drug test to be released this afternoon, a source confirmed this morning.
Coker, a sophomore who has been suspended from Saturday's game against Louisiana-Lafayette for missing counseling sessions, has had drug issues before. He was suspended in August for the season-opener against Cal after testing positive for marijuana, a source said at the time.
As a result of the incident, it was suggested that Coker attend counseling sessions. Although he had enrolled in the program and attended some sessions, he had missed others, the source said.
Should the results of the test be negative, Coker will face only the suspension for Saturday's game and return for the Arkansas game on Nov. 10. Tennessee will make no announcement.
However, should the results return positive, Coker will be immediately dismissed from the team under the athletic department's drug policy, the source said.
More details as they develop online and in Saturday's News Sentinel.
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Comments » 67
gohawks1 writes:
Does this guy just not want to play or what? I'll never understand how someone like this who wins the gene pool lottery and is blessed with outstanding physique and talent, and then does stupid things to throw it all away.
chrisw2967 writes:
You would think after the 1st failed drug test would of did the trick but stupid is as stupid does.what part of the drug test he dont get ? STUPID
utclassof1992 writes:
For further reference, see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricky_Wi...
eb502us#225637 writes:
Sounds like an Ontario Smith rerun...
Titan writes:
VolCR - "the word I heard" - so that's a reliable source?
CrankE writes:
My inside sources tell me that he simply failed to check the box on the chart. Otherwise, he'd be just a couple of steps away from being a heckuva player.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
So... everyone like to jump the gun and assume it was another failed test.
Well it wasn't... yet. Let's hope he is clean for his sake.
rsarazen#221200 writes:
This guy is an absolute loser of a trainwreck. 86 this clown.
westtnvol#518878 writes:
None of you are on campus, multiple is two or more.
And the coaching staff has to be alerted, for any action......
They are state employees, enough said???
Give it a rest VolCr, you, and the haters will not make a difference. There were more that 107,000 at the stadium last week. And it was South Carolina....
The alumni and contributors will make an impact, before we do.
Find a season ticket holder, an alumni member with some clout, till then, you waste your breath.
westtnvol#518878 writes:
Vol CR,
Sorry,
From UTSports.com.....
Today’s attendance was 105,962.
We seat about how many? 102,000?
The University of Tennessee is a state college. A state institution, it has some additional funding, but is it not a state institution?
rootin4volz writes:
Uh, VolCR...You're an idiot...Philip Fulmer is THE HIGHEST PAID STATE EMPLOYEE and this FACT has been documented in print many times over. Get a clue, dude. And while you're at it, stop SPECULATING and engaging in HEARSAY. Go out and learn some FACTS, or shut your pie-hole, Nancy!
invisiblekid writes:
Where is the THINK card when they need it? Why did the coaching staff not put one of the grad assistants in charge of making sure Coker made it to the counseling if that is indeed the issue? After all, the argument can still be made that Coker is still the only "home run threat" on the team. I think he proved that last week against SC with his return late in regulation which was the most important play of the game IMO. The other interesting angle to this whole deal is when did the staff find out about it? The cynic in me says this was known before the game last week, much like Meyer did with his defensive lineman last year, thinking it was Moss but it's late and my memory is slipping.
dowdpat#654244 writes:
Of that 105,962 was the largest contingent of SC fans I can remember, between 15 to 20K. Besides just because you go to the game and scream and cheer for your alma mater doesn't mean you support the direction this coaching staff has our program headed in. I know I don't.
newtonrail writes:
You all off subject. Sure VolCR shouts to hears his own voice, but the subject is LaMarcus Coker. At this point he exhibits all the symptoms of a Drug Addict, even if he is able to pass this drug test. And I wouldn't bet VolCR's money,that he is so fond of wagering on college games, that Coker passes the drug test. Sad. I've been to a lot of AA meetings in the last 30 years account of alcohol. I've been sober that long, but seen a lot people fight drugs unsuccessfully. They must be very powerful.
GreerVol22 writes:
Everyone relax about this. Somewhere in Cocke County there is a garbage truck witht a little foot perch on the back of it just right for Coker. You can't fix stupidity.
drwfocus writes:
VolCR - me thinks you doth protest too much. Seems the boys got ya today. I will say however your "spinning" is getting better and better. Are you on Hillary's staff now?In the end it doesn't matter if Coker is booted off. He will just go somewhere else, find good coaching, set rushing records and be a 1st round pick.
tigervol9802 writes:
As much as Fulmer has put up with with Coker, it really makes you wonder how much Ontario Smith did to get the boot. That kid had twice the talent and didn't seem to do 20% of what Coker has.
jopad#212858 writes:
We can blame the coaches, academic counselors, recruiters, chancellor, team mates, girl friends, bus drivers, UT police, professors, or anyone else we choose to blame for Coker not attending his counseling sessions, BUT, at some point the responsibility is Cokers if he wishes to continue to play for the Vols and abstain from drug use (what ever he was using). He and every other individual is accountable for their own actions, not someone else.
hueypilot writes:
Aren't some of you, namely Lazhil and CR, missing the point here? It's Fulmer's fault that the kid failed drug tests? It's the staff's responsibility to get this kid to a counseling session that is supposed to help him? A session specifically set up to help him stop doing something that is not only against the rules of the institution of which he is a part (UT) or the organization to which that team belongs (NCAA) it is both destructive behavior and it's AGAINST THE LAW?
This situation is Coker's responsibility and no one else's. Coker has been given the chance of a lifetime to develop a God-given talent and reap spectacular financial rewards in the NFL. But if he's too lazy or stupid to do a few simple things, then he's like many others (Ricky Williams Michael Vick et al) that have gone before him. Lazhil, you probably think Fulmer is responsible for Iraninan nukes and global warming. And Pearl, who I like very much, would have done better???? It's a numbers game pure and simple. Pearl's got 15 kids to look after while Fulmer's got over 100! Don't know what line of work you're in Lazhil, but would you want to be responsible for whether 100 young men of college age used drugs or not? Fulmer's got problems on defense, and we haven't returned a punt worth a damn in years, and those are his shortcomings and challenges, but it's unreasonable, no it's foolish to hold Fulmer responsible for the irresponsible, reckless, and aberrant behavior of a kid.
I'm also inclined to think some on this site think failing a drug test, specifically a marijuana test is just a harmless little schoolboy thing, and no big thing. Hello. If it gets you kicked off the team, it's a BIG THING.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
OK, I'm about to get blasted for this.
Coach Fulmer cares about his players. Everyone who likes to think that he is trying to make his money before the ship goes down is wrong. Fulmer does care about others as shown by his involvement in the Jason Foundation, keeping in contact with former players, and the fact that his players ALWAYS speak highly of him. Can anyone cite one instance when a player dissed him?
Now, Lamarcus has great ability. Possibly NFL ability. If he misses out here, his future is dim. Possibly addiction, crime and poverty. I would say that TN football is his best hope to break away from this.
You all want Fulmer to pull the trigger on Lamarcus because you don't give a da** about him. For you, football exists for your entertainment, not as a game which builds responsibility and discipline in young men. You are so bent on hating Fulmer that you miss out that a life is at stake here.
You may hate Fulmer, and you may want Coker gone (even though you really don't), but I respect Fulmer for giving this young man every opportunity to get it right. As a Christian, I believe that is the example of Christ and I thank God He hasn't given up on me.
(Don't mean to preach, just my perspective)
VOLinDAWGland writes:
Thanks Huey and Nick...reasonable voices in a sea of idiocy.
bigbluevol writes:
A couple of points. First Coker obviously has a problem and going along with what nick said, I believe Fulmer is doing all he can to help him. All we know about Coker are his 40 times, his stats and our opinions of how he has played thus far in his career. We don't know anything about his home life, but Fulmer does. As some have said, this may be the most structure the kid has ever had. Maybe not. It doesn't excuse his behavior, but might explain it.
This guy is a human being and to sit here and call him a loser and say, "get rid of him" is pretty cold. Let's hope and pray that he gets the help he needs. I for one am hoping this test is negative and he can remain on the team.
10ACVOL writes:
Come ON,
Why is it so hard to see why the coaches overlooked him missing the couseling sessions? Coker probably checked them on his chart, then in his chart review sessions the coaches saw that "Go to counseling" was checked. What else were they supposed to do? At the University of Tennessee, our charts run on the honor system. It appears that LaMarcus' is lacking on chart integrity. I hope each new recruit is fully explained this upon their visits.
bigbluevol writes:
Coker actually didn't play much against Penn State. He ripped off our only good play of the day, got a couple more carries and didn't play again.
MOOREVOLS writes:
Someone mentioned earlier that there were 15 to 20 thousand South Carolina fans at the game last Saturday. No way. I was there. South Carolina gets 10,000 tickets from Tennessee. That's what you saw in the south upper deck and in the north east corner. South Carolina had a few other fans scattered, but not many. Tennessee fans were at the game in good numbers. It was a really good crowd and South Carolina had no more there than they've had any other time.
MOOREVOLS writes:
I think i'm right on this; there is no more 3 strikes and you're out in regards to failed drug tests. Last year Tennessee adopted some type of deal that other colleges are using where the player can fail a couple of drug tests and be disciplined internally. After the second or third failed test the player must attend counseling and is suspended from the team. He may fail another test or two while in counseling, but won't be kicked off the team. The administrators and coaches rely on the doctors and therapists to let them know when the player is ready to be reinstated to the team. After all this, if the player fails another test he is kicked off. I may not have all the facts right on this, but I'm pretty close. I'm 99.9% sure there is no more 3 strikes and you're out on failed tests. Maybe other violations, but not tests.
bigbluevol writes:
Hardesty played against Miss State
auttat writes:
I just have one question. What is drig?
Nicksjuzunk, once again, outstanding post.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Thanks auttat.
RunRunPassPunt writes:
So quick to judge, so quick to call out haters, so quick to pass this off as just another incident where Fulmer lets the players run wild. I think our coach has shown that he will not put up with the troublemakers we saw in years past as evidenced by numerous dismissals and benching some of our best players before key games (unlike Urban Meyer). Maybe Coker is struggling with an addiction and the staff is trying to help a kid out in a very low point in his life. He's apparently not just another dope smoker, or he would have been gone by now. You all may remember some time back it was brought up that he has also had some family / personal issues that aren't tied to substances. SO yeah, the AD has given him some time to get things turned around, not because they can't live without him on the field, but because they are trying to help a kid who came to TN to be a part of the football family. Give a kid and the coach the benefit of the doubt on this one. For all you folks who label yourselves "true fans" because you don't criticize the coach and pull for the team no matter what, you sure turn your back on a player pretty fast when he struggles with demons in his personal life.
UT_Tim writes:
Why wasn’t he dismissed when he failed the test the first time? He was smoking weed when UT recruited him so why did UT think he would stop? OK, so give the guy a second chance (one more than I would get if I tested POS at my job) because all those poor kids deserve a second chance right? He fails again so then a third and a fourth....what gives? Where's he getting the money to by the weed? Where's he buying the weed?
There should be a no tolerance policy when it comes to drugs and scholarships. Let the “CLEAN” kids play and the pot heads do what they do best.....NOTHING.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
LazhilUTDelt: I can see your point about suspending him for the rest of the season. Might be good, might be real bad. The danger is for him to be excluded from the support of his teammates and a little too much free time to get into negative stuff.
It's a tough call and I'm glad I don't have to make it. I had a 17 year old kid living with my family for about 6 months earlier this year. No education, wrecked home life, no initiative, absolutely nothing for his life.
We took him in and tried to help. We enrolled him in our school and after school he was supposed to come and learn baking from me to give himself a future.
The kid was pretty much as ungrateful and unwilling to change as he could be. Never would come to work, and then have the gall to show up just in time for me to buy his dinner. Through it all, we kept trying and he walked away. Decided he had enough. One month later, it looks like he is on drugs, dropped out of school, work and won't even speak a word to me or my wife when he sees us.
We can't be responsible for changing others, just giving others the opportunity to change. I don't know why the heck I shared that.
Anyway, could be good or bad for Lamarcus. I just hope that whatever happens, he will make the right decisions.
TommyJack writes:
Nickjuzunk: Good read, man. LazHilFratboy doesn't believe in giving any of these kids a break. I'm sure his UT career was steller...learning the grip, doing keggers, etc.
Probably all paid for by Daddy
DadwasaVol writes:
Huey is right. You can lead a horse to water, and Fulmer certainly accomplishes that, but you cannot make the horse drink. Coker is the only one, ultimately, for his behavior. Only so much Fulmer can do.
mjohnsonvols writes:
Hey volcr what is a drig test.Just wondering since you call me out all the time.
I think we should wait and see what happens this afternoon before we pass judgment on Coker. If he fails he will be kicked off the team.
To the guys that are pulling for Coker you have to remember the guys that are not wanted SC to recover the fumble so we could not tie the game and that way they could continue on the fire fulmer bandwagon. Now that we beat SC and are on top of the East they have to change their names from CRVOL to VOLCR and not show up for a couple of days until something negative hits the news.
GerryOP writes:
Maybe, along with being required to go to class, counseling, practice, etc, Mr. Coker be invited to attend church and participate in other faith building activities? Why not have him learn at the feet of the greatest teacher the world has ever known? Grace and salvation are powerful healers. However, far be it for me to impose my beliefs on others ... and ... far be it for me to judge others on matters I do not know.
Teresa writes:
tngeoff, is Tigerbait LSU or Auburn? I'm not so sure that Urban Meyer is dominating the SEC right now.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
tngeoff:
I respect your points of view but that story is very old and pretty out of place in this post.
Didn't you recently say that if we took the east you would support Fulmer? Or was it the SEC Championship? Maybe I am thinking of someone else.
hopalong writes:
Huey, you are absolutely right on.
There are two sad parts to this whole situation, as this old man sees it.
1. There is a gifted, star athlete who seems to have a serious problem not only with smoking the weed, but with dealing with the responsilility of taking advantage of the opportunities offered him by the coach, the administration, the system or whoever. Is it arrgonance or stupidity? Whichever, it does not speak well of him. Younger "men" than him are making life or death decisions every day. He is not a kid any longer. It is time for him to "grow up" and be a man.
2. There is a coach who is trying to give this player the benefit of the doubt, protecting him for what he can contribute to the team, letting the process play out or whatever. The only thing I see from the coach is a very weak response to a very serious problem.
This player and his continuing problem should have been gone some time ago and the coach should have not had to spend this much time dealing with this situation. There are other serious problems that need to addressed on the current Vol team relating to basic, fundamental football. I'm not sure that he is capable of completely solving these problems. But he needs to be able to utilize all the time he has, however, and without having to be a counselor to someone who just doesn't seem to care.
agentorange writes:
GOOD THING FOSTER AND HARDESTY PICKED UP THERE GAME THIS YEAR.
Basketball_Jones writes:
Lets wait and point fingers when the results come back. I am not defending Coker by no means, did he ever say why he missed his counseling session? Car broke down, over slept etc etc. I always find it funny how young kids can make it on time to a party but can't make it on time to something that affects their lives/career. I deal with that all the time in my job, young people have excuses for everything. Here is a kid who has placed on a pedastal his entire life and the rules were not meant for him now all of a sudden people expect him to change. Free passes in life only hurt a person it makes then unaccountable for their actions. Hopefully Mr. Coker will be ok and get his life straightened out if not then have a great life and enjoy Carson Newman
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
tngeoff:
No problems, you're concerned about the program just like we all are. I didn't think it was wrong for you to post it, I just thought it was kind of off subject. No problems though.
It is somewhat refreshing to hear from someone who (forgive me if I am wrong) doesn't necessarily agree with Coach Fulmer and how things are going, but is not so bull-headed to not change his mind if things get turned around.
It seems like too many people are only wanting him gone and are happy if we lose so that they may get their wish. I want every stinking win we can get! I am not trying to be justified in my arguments... I just want to see TN rise again... and I hope Fulmer can do it! We shall see.
BigManVolFan writes:
This just a sad situation....It should not have gone this far...Fulmer should have been more of a leader and suspended Coker for the entire year back in August.....Coker new Fulmer is weak when it comes to disciplining his players.....Not saying Coker isnt to blame for his drug problem but Fulmer should have been more of a coach and dealt with this problem before it got this far.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Hey tngeoff:
Do you ever think about the effects of all of this negative talk on recruiting? If I am a hot shot recruit and I am thinking schools, hearing all of the fan unrest over the head coach would not give me a lot of reason to commit. People talking about boycotting games and so on would really be a turn-off.
And of course, the other schools will completely use this against us.
Recruit: "I don't know coach Saban, Tennessee has got great tradition and I really like coach Cutcliffe and Trooper."
Saban: (sinister voice and smoke) "I know my child, but you don't know who will be coaching there next year. At the very least, the coaches will all be gone in two years. Do you really want to fight for playing time for a coach that doesn't even know you? Here, take these textbooks and 5 bucks. Now sign on this line sonny!"
Are we shooting ourselves in the foot even worse than we think?
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Gentlemen,
I am going to bed soon and when I wake up, there will be a whole lot more clarity on this issue.
1. He hit the green... it's over.
2. He skipped counseling to chill... game on.
Lamarcus, for your own good... not even for TN's good, I hope you didn't hit the green.
Concerned_Mother_Focker writes:
First off Coker is not a marijuana addict. Theres no such thing. Neither was Ontario S. or Ricky Williams. The real problem with these kids is that they have no respect for the rules that come along with privelage. If a player struggles with alcohol or any "real" drug thats one thing. If Lemarcus fails another test he is disrespecting his coach, his fans and himself and as mich as I am ok with cutting a couple corners for these studs who work their butts off to compete and entertain us every saturday get rid of him. Give 22 to someone who deserves it.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
tngeoff:
I agree. Fulmer is a strong recruiter. If he gets fired or resigns after this year. 1 to 10 chance, we would lose a lot of recruits. It would be probably a few years of pain as the new coach would have to build a reputation and prove himself in recruiting.
I think Ron Zook walked into a vaccum and didn't have time to turn it around. But then Meyer got it quick so who the heck knows. That's why I'd rather believe Coach Fulmer can getter done and when he steps away, there can be a smooth transition instead of an overhaul (which many think we need, but i digress.)
Let's hope for a solid run to finish and a "where the heck did that come from" in the SEC championship game!
GO VOLS!!
PowerT writes:
I think thay should test our entire defense. They sure look stoned to me.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
just curious, do they test these kids for steroids???
It kinda cracks me up to see the boomers all holier-than-thou on weed; I sure watched enough of them toke away in their youth. Same with sex. Hell, I think they made sex illegal in Georgia, except between Catholic priests and alter boys.
Seriously, from a health standpoint I am more concerned about the 'roids than the weed. But, hey, that' s just medical facts, which of course we Americans never let get in the way of our 'morality'.
Sigh.
auttat writes:
airforcone, that's not how things happen in real life. The fact is, you play with the cards you are dealt. I have not been in school in quite some time, but the NCAA actually stipulates the drug rules. While I was in school, we were treated to an incredible (HA!) video. And then discussed in length (another HA!) about the consequences of failed drug tests. Since I was always so good to pay attention to this, (yet another HA!) I will try to repeat what we were told. "IF" you were tested and failed, no one found out about the first test, you just had to go to counseling; parents were notified on the second; suspensions followed the third; dismissal on the fourth. Things could have completely changed since then, but from what I gather it's still 4 strikes. Can someone tell us what the actual stipulations are, now?
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