Tennessee offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe said Wednesday he has not been contacted by any schools interested in hiring him as a head coach.
With several openings, Cutcliffe’s name figures to be mentioned. He was reported to be a possible candidate to replace Houston Nutt who left Arkansas this week to take the Ole Miss job.
“I haven’t heard from anybody,” Cutcliffe said.
With an SEC Championship game Saturday against LSU, Cutcliffe wasn’t willing to discuss any interest level he might have in becoming a head coach again.
“I’m not going there,” said Cutcliffe, who was coach at Ole Miss from 1999-2004.
UT coach Phillip Fulmer said he hasn’t been contacted by any schools and didn’t believe any talk of such a move would affect his team’s focus.
“It’s not a distraction,” Fulmer said. “It hasn’t been a distraction nor will it be a distraction.”
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Comments » 54
ONUV writes:
[sarcasm]i'm totally shocked[/sarcasm]
pdhuff#552644 writes:
You can bet Cut would be the only and I mean ONLY coach to get a call. Maybe Cafego, what's that, he,s not around. Well, who coached Lincoln?
mikes70gto writes:
Zook needs you in Fl.
mikes70gto writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
chrisw2967 writes:
If we lose any coach the only name tht we will hear is Cuts , we will never have to worry about a school calling on PF cause they wont be that desperate. Fulmer better hope he doesnt lose Cut, that means PF will be calling plays again next year . that would suck , we went through that for the last 5 years
ThaiVolFan writes:
Another coach that IS being looked at is Bo Pelini (LSU Defensive Co.) by Tom Osborne and Nebraska. Lets us Volunteers hope that this is a sign. LSU lost last week to Arkansas amid the rumors that Miles might be headed to Michigan. Now it is all but a definite fact that Pelini has been interviewed for the Nebraska job. Lets hope for another week of distractions for the LSU Tigers. Hopefully we can catch their defense off their A game as the Hogs did and play the underdog role to a T. (AS IN TENNESSEE)
Go Vols!! Stay focussed and on task!!
invisiblekid writes:
Glad to hear that there aren't any distractions going into Saturday but I'd expect some rumors to start floating around regarding Cutcliffe before too long. I have been a little skeptical of him in the past and still feel that he probably gets more credit for Peyton Manning than is deserved, I can't recall any player ever having his work ethic and drive. However, I don't think you can discount the job that Cutcliffe has done this year either and I suspect that plenty of other programs have noticed. Hope he sticks around but best of luck regardless.
FWBVol writes:
Question, why would a Tennessee man like Phillip Fulmer ever want to leave UT for another college job? The only other step would be to the NFL and he has made it clear through the years that he isn't interested in the pro game.
I like David Cutcliffe and think he's done a great job, but we won a pair of SEC East titles without him. We just won the East, and believe it or not, the head coach did have something to do with it. Maybe we won three games by the other team missing a field goal, but I believe the coach's job is to put his players in position to win a game, and the players must execute and get it done. Fulmer has done a good job of putting UT in position to win a lot of games at UT, and we've won a lot more than we lost with him leading the team.
ONUV writes:
the nfl isn't interested in Fulmer either.
chrisw2967 writes:
I agree ONUV , have you ever noticed other Div 1 schools have never called Fulmer about there schools.If they have they never made it known.
I dont hate the the man but I think he has worn his welcome out.
Even before the 98 season Cut was getting calls from other schools. He is the best head coach between the 2 of them.
Timbo writes:
Cut is alright. I have the feeling Fulmer calls for a conservative scheme true to his OL roots. If Cut could cut loose I bet he would. I know Charlie Wies sure wishes he had him. Fulmer style works when you have the taters up front to blow open some holes in the D. I think we've got a great staff lets support them so we can get the recruits. Negative chatter kills recuiting. Lets get behind them and lets go take care of business in Hotlanta.
FWBVol writes:
espn.com is reporting that Duke is interested in David Cutcliffe. Again, Plasticman is right about Phillip Fulmer being a UT guy and everyone in college ball knows it. Besides, name three or four college programs that have more to offer than UT? Michigan, Penn State and Ohio State have larger stadiums, but that's not all there is to the equation. If someone's a UT man there's no better place than UT.
Jeff Bowers stayed at Soutehrn Miss for years when he could have easily moved on to a bigger program because he was loyal to HIS school. Phillip Fulmer is loyal to HIS school too.
Southland writes:
why would anyone contact him He hasn't really done anything lately that would get anyone's attention. He has a mark against him for not being able to recruit his own players at Ole Miss.
dfreeman writes:
TouchdownTN - My how this has soured for you! Are you going to Atlanta? Try to put the yellow and purple shirt on underneath your orange and white so as not to confuse anyone!! If you don't get to go, make sure to close your door at the nursing home so you won't offend anyone!!
Gustoly writes:
Should anyone be surprised ? Nobody wants him nor do they want ChavyWavy. Or P.F. for that matter.
Colliervol writes:
Tdtn, I'll give you credit. You sure don't mind flailing at windmills do you? Most of the other negaVols have packed it in but you keep coming up for air. Haven't you figured out yet that Phil is going nowhere? Might as well enjoy the ride because it ain't changing. (Might get a new assistant or two but that's about it.) It's a waste of time, breath and typing to discuss it further.
utchris writes:
I heard from a very reputable source today that Miles wife was looking at Houses in Michigan last weekend while McFadden was running all over LSU! Word also has it that Saban would leave Bama to return to LSU...
Just a rumor I heard, but given where it came from, I would not be surprised if it were true
vol_in_lsu_land writes:
You guys are so clueless about college coaching it is quite amusing.
"Nobody would ever hire Foolmer", "Nobody has ever contacted Fat Boy" etc,..
People, Fulmer played gaurd at UT, position coached at UT, Coordinated O's at UT, and ultimately became the head coach at UT (pssst...his alma mater BTW in case u didn't notice).
Where would Fulmer go? Miami? What reason would he have to do that? Nebraska, BYU, Notre Dame????
What ties does Fulmer have to any of those schools? And are any of those schools paying head coaches significantly more than UT (enough to pull an alumn head coach away)????
Answer: NO....Bottom line is that no AD anywhere is stupid enough to waste their time talking to a coach who they already know has no reason to go anywhere. UT is ALREADY a "dream coaching job"...Heck, LSU is a "dream coaching job" but the ONLY reason Miles would consider another job is because LSU isn't his Alma Mater (but Michigan IS)...see how that works? And obviously Nick Saban is a free agent because his Alma Mater is Toledo (I think) or maybe it is Kent State, but at any rate it is a second rate school that couldn't afford Saban's quarterback coach's salary let alone Saban's.
As to NFL??? I gaurantee that Phil Fulmer has been contacted by NFL programs in his career, especially earlier on, maybe even after 98. Everyone knows that Fulmer is a pro-style offense kind of coach and he has been successfull with it. But Fulmer is a Tennessee boy through and through and I think the only NFL job that might make him think would be the Titans but I doubt even that would ever happen.
Bottom line is nobody here has any idea what they are talking about when they "assume" that Fulmer has never had talks with the NFL or another NCAA program for that matter.
agentorange writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
ThaiVolFan writes:
Thank you vol_in_lsu_land!
Great comments, most of us know and realize what you said as common knowledge, but on the other hand... we have a bunch of yahoos on this site who wouldn't know a football if it hit them in the face. Instead of Fulmer leaving, how about this: All you disrespectful fickle "fans" , do us all a big favor and roll out.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
Touchdowntn...you forget to take your meds this morning? I haven't seen the 'FOOLmer' tag for a few days. Psst, are you deploying counter psychological techniques to get the boys motivated? You can share your strategy with us...we'll keep it secret.
eb502us#225637 writes:
We need some school to step up and hire Cutcliffe if we're ever going to win a NC under Fulmer, because you know Fulmer would never let him go. He is a good QB coach and a horrid OC. And the word "halftime adjustment" is not in his vocabulary. I'm praying he gets a HC job, for the sake of the Vol Nation.
Southland writes:
the fat jokes and the Foolmore remarks makes me think the ones posting are in the third grade or less. Is this the case? Surely some of the very ones posting are as fat as Fulmer and he could stomp the butts of the ones making the childish jokes. whoops, made a third grade remark myself grow up guys, talk football not personal attacks
EZVOL writes:
I think Chad Pennington would be a great OC. He says he wants to coach after his NFL career which could end soon.
webbofconfusion writes:
We will complain when they lose and when they win. We will argue over who is the better coach. We will can all claim other coaches are better. Simple fact is this, other teams could not afford Fulmer and his staff. Do you think if he left that he woudl leave his staff here? Come on wake up. The coaching staff's value is to great for any one team to afford.
Now coaching styles....
Was everyone shocked when we lined up in a spread offense against KY in overtime? It nearly cost us the game... Then again that is why they are the coaches and not us!
Quit moaning about us beating sub par teams... everyone in the sec is beatup this year, does that make them all sub par? Will we use the excuse of Miles being distracted when we beat LSU? Do we need excuses to win? Really?
Go Vols, beat the tigers!
finn writes:
I think it's interesting how this has been spun re: the fact that Fulmer's name has never really come up for other coaching positions. "Everybody knows he would never leave so why bother." It sounds to me like the chicken before the egg. His loyalty might be due to the fact that he has never had any other options. Surely to God, at least ONE school would have contacted UT for permission to speak with him. Can anyone recall a time that has EVER happened?????
finn writes:
Per NCAA, doesn't the interested school have to receive permission to speak with the coach? That being the case, it would be awful hard to keep it out of the media so I think the public would know, Plasticman.
Singaporehillbilly writes:
Hey faux vol supporters. Please advise prior to the SEC Championship game. For the record, is LSU a mediocre team? I do realize after Tennessee beats them that will be the cry.
finn writes:
BTW, Plasticman, great work on making that final ruling on what constitutes an 'Actually fan." All the wondering is over and I can I now rest at ease knowing I am not a fan after all since Plasticman said so. Thanks, Buddy.
maddog72 writes:
I saw this on the Fox website and thought I would post it here.
BayouRaised985
11/29/2007
5:30 AM (report inappropriate content)
MILES PLEASE LEAVEEE!!! WE DONT NEED U FOR THE SEC CHAMP NOR THE BOWL GAME. LET PALLINI COACH THOSE GAMES! WITHOUT HIM U WOULD HAVE NEVER HAD BLEEP ANYWAYS! BRING US PHILLIP FULMER!! WE WANT FULMER!!!
PLASH...SPURRIER WILL NEVER COACH AN LSU PROGRAM!! THAT FUKKER CAN ROT BEFORE WE TAKE HIS SORRY BLEEP !! FULMER HOWEVER IS ON HIS WAY OUT AT TENN. BRING HIM HERE TO COACH SOME REAL FOOTBALL!!!
LEAVE LES LEAVE!! TAKE UR NORTHERN BLEEP BACK HOME AND ENJOY THE SNOW!! LMFAO!!
lnbadger320 writes:
wow, it's amazing that no UT coaches were contacted. i mean when you have a defensive wizard like chavis, DB wonder coach like Slade and the most innovative OC in the universe(it takes a special man to call run right, run left all day), it's a wonder that schools don't offer them 10 million a year for their infinite coaching wisdom.
maddog72 writes:
Inbadger 320, You want to slam our defensive coaches we have a secondary that has been decimated by injuries and drop outs to the point that we have to start 2 TRUE FRESHMAN one that was recruited to play wide out no less and still have won the east and playing in the championship game in Atlanta. I guess there is a lot of coaches out there that could have done better.
brokebackvol writes:
Silly to even ask Fulmer if he's been contacted - kinda like asking Paterno if anybody has been asking for him...some coaches just belong at a school, and Fulmer is a Tennessee man - he'll retire before he coaches somewhere else.
waterskier3#226480 writes:
cut will not get contacted....... maybe after phil begs someone to call him just to make him feel better and chavis will never be a head coach he may be offered other assit jobs but head coach...... all GREAT LEADERS hire better talent than themselves to make them look better... how many coaches over fulmer tenure have been hired(don't give me that called BS)as a head coach???? only coach cut and the only reason he was successful is because of his ties to the manning family. SO BASED ON THAT is fulmer a great teacher as everyone proclaims???? or is it he only can teach 18 and 19 years old and he doesn't have anything to offer to grown men????
Go Vols!!!!!!!!!!!!!! beat LSU and prove me wrong.... I want to eat my words......
VOLinDAWGland writes:
Singapore...If you've been following along this year you'll realize that EVERY team TN beats is mediocre at best. Good thing we play in a mediocre conference or we'd have a terrible record...oh yea, forgot we do have a terrible record, only 9 wins. :-)
orangebloodgmc writes:
Singapore, LSU is not a bad team at all, they have had multiple good recruiting classes bringing lotsa talent. Coaches make questionable, gambling decisions that make or break.
Offense: they prefer to run, stable of good rbs, but sometimes keep best rb (Scott) on the bench and have a few injuries in the OL. They are capable of passing, short and long, but can be pretty inconsistent with their execution. Best wr Doucet was injured in middle of season but back now; in his absence, Demetrious Byrd is emerging as game-winning go-to guy. Lafell -- most catches but sometimes drops. They throw to te's also, but not same dynamics as our's. They have underutilized qb Perriloux, but it looks like we are about to see his running ability. Vols, stay in your lanes!
Def.- Very good, but multiple players banged up, including best dt, Dorsey. Bringing back de that had been suspended, Ricky Jean Francois, so his rust/talent ratio is unknown right now. Lbs are good, but have been burned trying to cover athletic te's like Tamme or rbs out of backfield like Hillis. Db Curtis Taylor was injured last week but might be back. Db Zenon gets away with pass interference in Tiger Stadium but might not in Atlanta. Db Steltz gets kudos for opportunistic center-fielder picks, but really more of a run support safety than true cover guy. Chad Jones very talented.
Their kickers OK but not as good as our's. Returners dangerous but hobbled lately.
If we beat them, we would have beaten a good team that pounded VA Tech, beat Florida, Auburn and Bama in Bama. Geaux Vawls!
VOLinDAWGland writes:
Is Bayouraised985 the same person as TouchdownTN?
sportsfan50 writes:
Why does everyone think that a coach has to be contacted by another school to be considered as a good coach. I don't recall that Bear Bryant was contacted by anyone when he was at Bama mater of fact they were just about to fire him before he went to the wish bone. No one contacted the old Nebraska coach. Joe at Penn State is still there. No one has contacted him. Va Tech still have there coach and on one has talked to him. Everyone knows what coaches are intrested in leaving and who would not. So they don't waste there time trying to talk to them. Fulmer fits in this category and so does a lot of others. When Steve was at Florida no one went after him except the NFL, and Steve wented to try to prove his system would work in the NFL. You also must remember that Steve coached in the WFL before he went to college. Bo and Woody are other coaches that fit in this category. So I don't take to the fact that Phil or any other coaches are bad coaches because no one is calling them.
lnbadger320 writes:
maddog72 it's not smart to call a blitz over and over but have your DB play 12-15 yards off a receiver, a quick outlet throw to a receiver and they are picking up 7-9 yards on each play. he did this against bama all day, never figured out that you should play tighter coverage when blitzing, did he learn from this? look at SC, Vandy and KY. no he didn't. he and Slade need to go, or we're going to see the same problems next year despite having such great young talent.
martinvolfan writes:
TouchdownTN: "FOOLmer" "fatboy"-- How long did it take you to come up with these colorful names for our coach? Why don't you grow up? You act like you're a 10 year old. (if that old).
Top 7 suggestions:
1. Change your username to TouchdownLSU or some other team.
2. When the VOLS Bandwagon pulls over, Get off!
3. Leave the Big Orange Nation.
4. Get a grip on the important things in life.
5. Get some help.
6. Learn to be positive.
7. Follow the Nutt to Ole Miss since you are one.
imw8n4u writes:
How soon we all forget...in 1992, after being the interim head coach for the first 3 games, Fulmer had positioned himself to almost certainly be the most sought after head coaching candidate in the nation for vacancies at other schools. Thankfully Dickie pulled the trigger on Majors and promoted Fulmer before all the other offers started rolling in. He has also had discussions with the Carolina Panthers in the past, but they never went very far because he is so committed to TN. As for Chavis, he has turned down multiple offers from the NFL for various DL coaching and LB coaching opportunities with the Colts and Texans. Cutcliffe will get another opportunity as a head coach, and it will be up to him whether or not he takes it.
Stumps writes:
I think cutcliffe knows not to "norv turner" himself... realize what you're good at (offensive coordiator) and be happy. he's not a head coach.
maddog72 writes:
Posted by VOLinDAWGland on November 29, 2007 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is Bayouraised985 the same person as TouchdownTN?
You could be right they may be the same person run the coach down on one site then promote him on another site.
Singaporehillbilly writes:
orangebloodgmc - Agree completely. If you have followed conversations on this board all season long, several faux vol fans hype before a game about how the Vols will get beat by a superior team and their coach. After the Tennessee win, the faux vols quickly turn and indicate the team was "mediocre."
I just want to the faux vols to indicate before the game if lswho is mediocre, because the Vols will be playing in the Sugar Bowl.
orangebloodgmc writes:
How bout them Vols, 5-game winning streak and in SEC Championship game !!!
stelo24 writes:
Hiresanders---are you miserable??
Singaporehillbilly writes:
The faux vols are miserable this week. The Vols made it to the SEC Championship game and the faux vols are down to their last chance to pull for a loss to support their warped agenda.
Go back to the bama board where you belong and hope your $4M dollar superior coach can get you a "weed eater" bowl bid.
Tenn 35 -- lsu 17
invisiblekid writes:
Interesting scuttlebutt in the 11:15 post SJT18. I don't frequent it often but Volnation looks to be a pretty good website.
Just my take from far outside and looking in but I believe Slade will be gone at the end of the year. The secondary has been a weak point for several years now and I think this year was the straw to break the camel's back, injuries or not. It makes no sense to me that Fulmer would be leaving with Hamilton talking raises and extensions. Chavis is an interesting case with the recent comments he made. However, I'd be suprised to see him leave. I think there are bound to be some programs out there taking a hard look at Cutcliffe and Taylor for various positions. The off-season looks to be very intriguing, especially if the Vols bring home a championship and Bowl win.
VolFanInAtl writes:
I believe Cutty and Fulmer think they can recreate the 1998 magic. They've only had two years to try. I think they will say together a little longer.
tenncorncob writes:
"I believe Cutty and Fulmer think they can recreate the 1998 magic".......does that involve "magic dust"?......lol.......
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