Vol Report
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Tennessee Stat Book
“I’m sitting here consuming your post-Bama show today and marveling at all you guys ducking the obvious question about Fulmer’s job status. You have seven or so personalities on your show but not a single one of you guys will man up and say Fulmer should go.”
That’s an e-mail I received from a viewer following my Alabama postgame TV show on Oct. 21. He was upset that when asked by a caller if Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer should go, I said, “Tennessee can still finish 11-3 as SEC and Sugar Bowl champions.”
It was far-fetched, as I admitted, but it was possible. The point was this: you don’t make your final judgments in the middle of a season. That would be over-reacting.
Today, there is over-reaction again. This time from the other camp. One side has been vocal in its criticisms. Now, the other side is trying to out-shout the critics.
“If Tennessee beats Kentucky, this will be one of Fulmer’s greatest coaching jobs.” That’s the idea. Only it’s not true. But more on that in a second. Let’s talk about making big declarations mid-season. Those who called for Fulmer’s head on a plate after the Florida or Alabama games are having to eat a lot of crow.
And those who are singing the praises of a nailbiter of a home win over Vanderbilt could possibly join them at the Blackbird Buffet by January.
What if the Vols beat Kentucky (just run the football, Vols), reach Atlanta, lose to LSU and then lose their bowl game? Is a 9-5 season a “great” coaching job?
Still, the battle lines are drawn. In one camp sit the negatives. Every loss is a reason to fire the coach. They’re the ones who branded me and my co-hosts cowards for not calling for a coach to be fired in mid-October.
In the other camp sit the positives. Every win, no matter how fluky, is proof of their man’s coaching acumen. “Vandy roughing Tennessee’s punter? All part of the master plan, of course.”
Back and forth it goes, getting louder and louder. Each group touting wins and losses as bigger and bigger achievements or disasters. For the folks in the middle ground, it’s all they can do not to ping pong back and forth between the extremists.
After the Alabama loss, it was the end of days around here. Now we’ve done a 180.
“If Tennessee beats Kentucky, this will be one of Fulmer’s greatest coaching jobs.” “Everyone knew that this was a rebuilding year.”
Those statements are as off-base as the mid-season calls for dismissal. Try to keep the facts in mind and forget about the spin.
The gathered journalists at July’s SEC Media Days picked Tennessee to finish second in the SEC East to Florida. Not fifth or sixth, second. The Vols also received 16 first-place votes. I guess all those folks failed to get the “rebuilding” memo.
Florida had a new quarterback and nine new starters on defense. Georgia had to rebuild its offensive line with a bunch of true freshmen. South Carolina had no playmakers on offense. Kentucky was supposed to have a good offense, but their defense would be suspect. Vandy, well, they were supposed to maybe, kinda, sorta compete for a bowl.
Tennessee had questions at receiver and in the secondary. They were supposed to be better on the lines and they were expected to rely on their senior quarterback, their stable of running backs and their outstanding linebackers.
For the most part, things seem to have shaken out pretty darn close to what those media hacks predicted in July.
The Vols did indeed lose to Florida and beat Georgia. Historically, that’s a second-place finish in the East (as predicted), but the Gators went on to drop three conference games, opening and re-opening the door for the Vols.
Tennessee lost their head-to-head match-up with Florida, 59-20, blew their second chance with a loss a 41-17 loss at Alabama, and is today trying to capitalize on its third chance.
From a national standpoint, Tennessee was picked to finish 15th in the nation. They’re 19th. Lindy’s pre-season guide even had the Vols ranked seventh. Apparently no one nationally seemed to think UT was in a rebuilding mode, either.
That’s why getting to Atlanta would be a “good” season and a good job by the head coach. UT would finish slightly ahead of expectations standings-wise, just about dead-on in terms of record.
But it’s not a “great” coaching job. Yet.
A win Saturday gives Tennessee a shot at greatness. Conference championships are the true measure of greatness around here. Beat Kentucky (just run the football, Vols) and Tennessee will get a shot at LSU.
Beat LSU and yes indeedy this will be one of Fulmer’s greatest coaching jobs. Not because this was a rebuilding year (it wasn’t before the season and you can’t reset the stage mid-season), but because he will have won the SEC’s ultimate prize.
It would be his first title since 1998. It would quiet all but the wildest of his critics.
And it would surely result in an extension and a raise.
A title would put Fulmer’s 2007 work on par with the work he did in 1994 (having to play four quarterbacks and correctly choose Peyton Manning over Branndon Stewart), 1998 (National Title), and 2004 (reaching the SEC title game while having to play three inexperienced quarterbacks).
Reaching Atlanta at 9-3 with this team is finishing just about where most folks expected them to finish. That’s a good season. But win the whole darn thing? Now that’s a great coaching job. That’s a championship coaching job.
John Pennington hosts the Hall’s Salvage Sports Source on Sunday at 11 a.m. on WATE.
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Comments » 91
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Agreed! Reaching Atl at all was the goal and once there, just possibly win. Is that possible? Yes, Probable, no! Was it possible to lose to Fla, yes! Was it probable to manage to look that bad doing it, no! Is it possible to win at Ky with a Vandy-Fla-Bama-Cal effort on defense? No! Agree beating Ky and Lsu back-to-back would be a great coaching job! I just made my ninth payment on that oceanfront property in Chattanooga, so I know what I'm talking about! Some positives this season include more reasons to drink than usual, more chances to dream of fast linebackers and maybe live long enuf to see the Vols sack a QB! Lordy, Cats, get ready, here we come! You can't gameplan us, we're not sure what we're going to do! Go Vols!
memphisvolman writes:
Good point Touchdown TN: I think the last few years of inconsistent play is where most of the resentment stems. We all hate to lose games but it's really not about those losses to me it's about being competative and at the very least being in the game until the end. With Bama and Florida we never had a chance and that lack of physical play and poor coaching showed in both of those games. We are very fortunate to not hasve those SC and Vandy games as losses because we didn't play to win in either game.
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
I agree, John: get to Atlanta and it's "good." Get to Atlanta and win, it's "great."
But winning the SEC championship "would surely result in an extension and a raise." Are you serious? I surely hope and pray Mike Hamilton isn't thinking that way.
For Pete's sake, Hamilton just extended his contract back in March!
Even if we win the SEC and then win the Sugar bowl, I won't yet be convinced that this program has turned around, that we've found our groove again, that the coaching staff has its mojo back.
Ask me again a few games into next season. Only then will we have enough evidence of a bonafide turnaround.
Fulmer's contract runs through 2013. He's paid an annual salary of $2.05 million per year.
He can also earn an additional $37,500 for a berth in a non-BCS bowl, $50,000 for a first-place finish in the SEC Eastern Division, $75,000 for an SEC Championship game appearance, and $100,000 for winning the SEC or appearing in a BCS game. He can also get $150,000 for appearing in the BCS National Championship game and $250,000 for winning the BCS title.
This seems fair, based on Coach Fulmer's results. But giving him a raise and ANOTHER contract extension if we win the SEC and the Sugar Bowl? Gimme a break.
As far as I'm concerned, the entire coaching staff is on probation -- and will start next season on probation as well, no matter what happens the next two games.
Based on the past four games, they've earned the chance to prove themselves again next year -- at the same compensation levels.
TommyJack writes:
mbum: agree
gohawks1 writes:
"We're going to turn this team around 360 degrees." - Jason Kidd.
I'm not sure we've done a 180 yet - our season has gone more like the Jason Kidd quote above. However, the rest of Pennington's article is pretty much dead on - you have two extremes posting often and loud, but neither is 100% accurate. It's not as bad as it could be (and I am referring here to the coaching staff as well as where we stand in the SEC East right now), and it is also not as good as others want us to believe.
But either way, I'll be cheering loudly for the Vols tomorrow. GO BIG ORANGE!
Hunter writes:
Pennington, as usual you are articulate, insightful, and dead-on point. While you are not a "full-time" KNS staffer, you should be. Your articles are much more thoughtfully constructed, more inetersting to read, and more realistic (not a Hooker homer or an Adams Chicken Little).
Whoever makes this call (preferably above John "Hold That Tiger" Adams), please get JP on full-time!
mj54 writes:
memphisvolman, you are exactly right. While I hated losing to UF and LSU last year, we were competitive and in the game right down to the last minutes and in LSU's case, the last seconds. Arkansas loss Fulmer was rightly given a pass because of Ainge not playing, but the only game I was annoyed with last year was the Bowl game. That looked like the same ol UT of the past 7 years. Lethargic, uninspired, and emotionless.
This year, we were barely competitive with California and not in the same ball park with UF and Bama. We also got lucky to beat USC and Vandy when we got outplayed for much of the game.
rparham#223742 writes:
One of the reasons that I am all for a playoff for Div 1 football is that teams improve over a season. If we had selected the BCS Championship game after the first couple of weeks, LSU would have been a unanimous choice. Huge wins over MSU and VaTech. Now they are losing to Arkansas 14-6. LSU has not improved over the season. Yes, injuries have their part, just ask California.
Tennessee today is much better then the team that played against Cal and UF. No, I can't explain Alabama. Are they the best team in the nation? Not even close. But the merits of a coach is how they adjust during the game and during the season. Anyone want Charlie Weiss right now?
Fulmer has proven over the years that he can make the changes. My only real complaint is that he is too loyal to those around him, from Randy Sanders to Kelly Washington to the numerous players in the NFL. I want Fulmer at Tennessee for as long as he wants to be here.
LargeOrange writes:
Look out Ark is up 21 -6 over LSU in mid 3rd qtr.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
Mike121212, you are a jerk. Why don't you post some comments instead of getting personal. You have not idea who you are messing with!
jdcvols#230433 writes:
Teller Boy? That is a good one TDTN.
LargeOrange writes:
My bad 14 - 14 Ark and LSU. Cutting back on the Kool-aid intake now. :-)
eefor10c writes:
Wow John!!!!! Almost totally anit-Fulmer and Vol downers responding on this article. Just confirms that you are their kind! At least now we have some identification of the "unnamed former players" who gave you insight into the problems with Fulmer and the other coaches and the problems in the program.
skyhawk836 writes:
Posted by jdcvols on November 23, 2007 at 5 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mike121212, you are a jerk. Why don't you post some comments instead of getting personal. You have not idea who you are messing with!
Enlighten us.
scvolalum writes:
Hey, TDgatorboy and jdcvols. Considering all the trash talking you're always spewing out, you should expect to annoy some folks. Losers are customarily the most annoying of all girl scouts. OK, so Mike121212 went a little overboard, but now you've got YOUR bowels in an uproar. Just settle down and take some Viagara so's you can handle your manly wives. You'll be alright. As for my friends and myself; We're going to settle in and watch the Vols whoop the kitties. May Coach phillip outlive you both.
vol_in_lsu_land writes:
pdhuff.....
Hey man! How are you! I enjoy reading your posts! You always seem so excited! I'm not sure if you are a hater or not! It's hard to tell when you are so excited! I'm glad though! We need excited fans! Hey, does your period key work (.)!!!
Ok Go Vols! Beat the kitties!
vol_in_lsu_land writes:
All tied up down here in Bayou Bengal country...I'm not sure who I'm pulling for. I am a Vol fan first and a Tiger fan second. Of course I want Tenn to beat LSU when they are down, and losing the NC opportunity at the end of the regular season will leave a lot of players bummed, but it'll also leave some angry and hungry to prove something, even if it is just getting that SEC title. OK it just went to OT!!!
For my friends down here I want LSU to have a good season so I'm not sure what I want LOL
Feared_Mustang_Package writes:
Pennington, I don't care what they say, you're the best sports writer at KNS.
BigManVolFan writes:
Arkansas 50 LSU 48!!!!!
CrankE writes:
I was really pulling for LSU to win it. Then they could enter Atlanta a tired #1 ranked 12-1 team with that monkey on their backs.
Now they'll enter as a tired, angry SEC West Champ with nothing else to play for except the SEC.
TommyJack writes:
easy now
Titan writes:
TNTN - WHICH missed FG are you talking about in the Vandy game? Oh yeah, the one Lincoln doinked off the upright. If he hadn't missed it, Vandy couldn't have gone for a FG at the end. If he hadn't missed a nearly automatic EP, Vandy's FG at the end would have only been for a tie since we would have kicked the EP after the last TD and would have been up by three. If you want to play the what if game, you've got to play it the whole way. Last time I checked stats, turnovers were listed. Hard to argue that USC outplayed us (see stats) unless your set of stats doesn't include the turnover line. I'll thoroughly agree that we got our clocked cleaned by Cal, FL, and AL. However, I can't play the what if game the way you're playing it.
AlpharettaVol writes:
If -- and that's still a big if -- we reach the title game against LSU, they don't look so formidable now after this Arkansas loss. It looked they were getting beaten up pretty bad in a very physical game. They may not be at full strength next week and the team that once looked invincible may now have a chink in its armor.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
WOW, too many posts removed tonight. SCVOLalum, I was only defending TouchdownTN. He seems to be one of the few that is the real world.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
Mike121212, did you count your money correctly today?
kaplan#211944 writes:
Mike121212:
This a warning. You will be removed from the site if you continue with off topic and abusive comments.
Phil Kaplan
jdcvols#230433 writes:
vol in Lsu land, I'm really concerned about our game before thinking about LSU. One game at a time.
kaplan#211944 writes:
I can go up step further and have your IP banned. Would that be cool?
jdcvols#230433 writes:
mike121212, go to bed. Let's discuss the game tomorrow.
LargeOrange writes:
Unbelievable, Arkansas beats the number 1 team in the country on the road. The VOLS shut MCfad and company down completely and they roll for over 500 yards on LSU. I guess they are inconsistent too. And what about Miles, losing to KY and a 4 loss Ark team with all the marbles on the table. Now #13 Texas loses for the second straight year to un-ranked A&M, #7 Arizona St. loses by 20 to a lower ranked USC all of this on a Friday with #14 Hawaii likely to join them later tonight. I guess there will be tons of fan haters on their web-sites tonight. Poorly prepared, not ready to play, out coached, players quit, blah blah blah. Maybe we could loan them some of of our excess of negative doom seers (seekers). Our team has not lost in over a month and is less than 18 hours away from clinching an SEC-E title. It is hard to believe we are still arguing about statistics from a WIN from nearly a month ago. Get out of the past and focus on the future which is beating KY tomorrow. Go Big Orange!!
threehundredbowler writes:
TDTN,sorry sweetie but I will have to pass on your invitation .I already have a date tonight.Thanks anyway.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
LargeOrange, we know it is Friday night, but lay off the Kool-aid. We could get hammered tomorrow. While it is great to be playing for the chance to go to Atlanta, we still are stuck in mediocrity.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
seven_pin? Please leave your sexual preferences off this sight. We do not need to know them.
kaplan#211944 writes:
You can bash Fulmer or the Vols.
Just follow the rules.
You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned.
eefor10c writes:
Kaplin, I did not see what Mike121212 wrote but it seems inconsistent that he should get a warning with all the phooey that I have seen from all of the Fulmer haters and Tennessee downers on these "articles". From what I have seen in the past Mike is a supporter of the Vols and that doesn't go with the story line that John and Co. want to push. Why hasn't TouchdownTN been given the same treatment with all of his personal insults,taunts, and irrelevant posts that he makes.
kaplan#211944 writes:
Bye Mike121212
LargeOrange writes:
TDTN, in all of this madness your post about what we need to do to beat KY is right on, if not original, but correct. BTW, did you just misspell the word "misspelled"? LOL
jdcvols- of course we could get hammered tomorrow. I just choose to believe we will continue to hold up our tradition and win out, if we don't there is plenty of time for you guys to be negative, you don't have to do it in advance.
chrisw2967 writes:
2007 not Fulmer's best ... yet
anything after the 98 NC has not been his best year.
I hope he dont get a raise or anything if we luck up and win out , a hand shake will do.
I still cant believe that the Fulmer lovers still thinks he can turn this fiasco around , I just dont see it happening.He hasnt done it in the last 6 years and its not going to happen as long as he is here. Like I have said before you put him ay any other school and he wont win 3 or 4 games a year.
threehundredbowler writes:
td,I simply was refering to you because of your post about me.I want you to know this one time and do not forget it.I am more of a man than you will ever be.My wife read some of the things you wrote and she was very upset.If you have to try and bring people down to your level then I believe you have major problems.Calling people gay when you do not even know them is very inmature.
kaplan#211944 writes:
After I warned him his response to me was "up yours". I don't have time be a kindergarten cop.
LargeOrange writes:
Kaplan - You shouldn't have to, I agree. I wish KNS would go back to this being a pay site. At least people would have to give up their real name and own a credit card to participate so it would be harder to hide behind all of these anonymous and likely multiple identities. I paid for my access to this site for a long time and while I rarely posted until this year, I don't remember seeing all of these negative and hateful attacks being thrown about like is common on here now. Just a suggestion, but I would gladly pay again to have only serious Vol supporters on here that could agree to disagree without all of the childish fat jokes, and stupid insults being hurled.
CoverOrange writes:
Phil, do we get to call you Ahh-nold from now on?
TommyJack writes:
Me 2. I would pay. I'm no bumb.
gohawks1 writes:
I'd pay. It would be a bumber to have to do it, though.
TommyJack writes:
LMAO
gohawks1 writes:
Same here, brother. I had to wipe tears from my eyes after your last post.
TommyJack writes:
I suggest we call Bumb Phillips out of retirement.
brauhuff#295403 writes:
Fulmer will pull a Tubby Smith and wind up at Nebraska next year and work for his hero and mentor Tom Osbourne. He will coach another 4-6 years there and retire and come back to Tennessee as famous or mose so than Johnny Majors has.
brauhuff#295403 writes:
Phil is probably as over the fans here as they are of him. That is why I say he leaves for another job and we get Jon Gruden of Tampa Bay and we will be happy for a while then it will start all over again. By the way Arkansas probably knocked us out of the Cotton Bowl vs Kansas by beating LSU but it was worth it. I would love to get another crack at Penn State in the Outback or Capital One bowl anyway, but it will probably be Clemson in the Chick fil a Bowl
firefulmer (Inactive) writes:
IF the Vols lay an egg like they did against Cal, Fla, and Bama, is it the players lack of emotion, or is the coaches making them uptight? Could it be both?
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