Tennessee Stat Book
There is a very nice lady who calls me from time-to-time, a devout Tennessee fan.
“I’m 82 years old, and I’ve been a Vols’ fan for 72 years,” she likes to say.
Obviously, if you’ve been a Vols’ fan for 72 years, you are one patient human being. You just don’t jump to conclusions.
This nice lady left me a voice message this past weekend after Florida abused Tennessee, 59-20, to fall to 1-2.
“What did you think of that mess?” she said. “Call me when you get a chance.”
I considered what I saw Saturday for four days and called her back on Wednesday. We both concluded one thing.
It’s time for a coaching change in Knoxville.
Phillip Fulmer has been a good coach for a long time. And whether you think he backstabbed his predecessor Johnny Majors to get the job or not, Fulmer took over a stagnant program full-time in 1993 and advanced it to another level with SEC titles in 1997 and ’98, along with the ’98 BCS national championship.
Fulmer’s critics will say the Vols prospered at a time when there were shaky coaching situations at Georgia, South Carolina and LSU, all located in states that Fulmer plundered to grab top recruits.
That’s probably true. But that’s college football. It goes in cycles.
The problem for Fulmer is that the Vols have been mostly on a downward slide since 2001. That’s the year they missed out on a trip to the Rose Bowl and the BCS national championship game when they lost to underdog LSU in the SEC championship game.
Instead, Tennessee went to the Citrus Bowl and pounded Michigan, 45-17, with a stunningly innovative offensive game plan that hadn’t been seen since.
On paper, Tennessee’s fall is easy to see. The Vols are 17-23 vs. ranked teams since the ’98 national championship season, and just 2-8 in their last 10 games against Top 25 teams.
Fulmer is 4-8 against Steve Spurrier, 0-3 vs. Urban Meyer, 1-3 vs. Tommy Tuberville, 2-4 against Mark Richt and 1-2 against Nick Saban.
The Vols have gone eight years without winning the SEC, seven years without playing in a BCS bowl, five years without a final Top 10 ranking, and twice since 2000 weren’t even ranked in the Top 25 at the end of the year.
For five straight years and seven of the last eight, Tennessee has had at least three losses, including two (2003 and ’05) with multiple losses to unranked teams. The Vols are 2-5 in bowl games since ’98, all double-digit losses.
There’s also the fact that since 2000, 14 new coaches have come into the SEC, and of the 13 coaches Fulmer has faced so far, he’s lost at least once to nine of them.
The Vols are back in the same place they were when Majors was forced out. They are stagnant, clinging to their patented “Tennessee way” of football, centered on strong running and kicking games and a solid defense.
Tennessee’s running game has been pathetic for several years. This year, the Vols have already allowed two punt returns for touchdowns and haven’t had their own return threat in recent memory. And the defense, well, other than the fact it has no pass rush and misses a bunch of tackles, it’s a fine group.
Fulmer and his coaches still believe less than 30 points will win a game these days. That might hold true if the nation’s top teams played ball-control offense like the Vols, but the elite teams these days employ spread offenses that use everything from direct snaps, to reverses, to handing the ball to a man in motion.
Tennessee’s idea of innovation is using a no-huddle offense.
The Vols’ archaic offensive philosophy — and I don’t think offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe is totally at fault here — hasn’t and won’t attract the Percy Harvins, the DeSean Jacksons, the Trindon Hollidays of the world who can zip through defenses with breathtaking quickness.
For many years, even the most faithful Vols’ fans were willing to give Fulmer a pass, since he played for the Vols and coached them to a national title.
But a lot of those fans saw Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton hire Bruce Pearl as men’s basketball coach just a couple of years ago. Pearl’s enthusiastic, aggressive style of play won back season-ticket holders and advanced the Vols to the Sweet 16.
Those same fans are wondering: Why can’t we do that in football? Why can’t we hire someone refreshingly innovative like Texas Tech’s Mike Leach, West Virginia’s Rich Rodriguez, Boise State’s Chris Peterson, Missouri’s Gary Pinkel, Titans’ offensive coordinator Norm Chow or even — heaven forbid — South Carolina’s Spurrier.
Again, there’s no doubt Fulmer loves his school and has worked tirelessly to return the program to the level of the mid- to late-’90s. But the game has changed, and he won’t change his philosophies.
So the only resolution is to change the coach.
To reach Ron Higgins, e-mail: rhiggins@commercialappeal.com.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Memorable moments in Pat Summitt's…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 234
justingh1 writes:
Nice article I am all in for Leach they hang 60-70 on almost everyone
utvols36 writes:
You can hang 60-70 on people, but Urban Meyer last year still had a great defense. When LSU won it all, it had a great defense...You have to play D in the SEC.
joebomb writes:
Great Article.
Southland writes:
so get a offensive minded coach and hire a good defensive coordinator
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
I am constantly bombarded by the anti-Phil talk. Do I convert to the darkside and give up on the man who gave me the only Tennessee football I can remember? If I turn to the darkside, will it be better? Will we draw who we want or will we be left hanging out there as coach after coach turn us away and we are left to take the offensive coordinator from Mississippi State or something. I will still see how this season plays out. I definitely feel that we have fallen behind the pack.
10cvalleyvol writes:
If things don't change this year I will have to agree. By 2005 I was ready to let him go, but how much longer can we continue to go backwards with Fulmer and his coaching philosophy. This article really puts it in black and white where even the most diehard Fulmer supporters can understand. I know we can't win every game every season but when was the last time Tennessee football got any kind of respect, especially as a genuine favorite to win an SEC championship. This program has been average for too long. Tennessee football under Fulmer plays a prevent offense (not to loose) instead of playing aggressive to put up as many points as it can. Fulmer and some of his staff are not getting the job done with supposedly quality recruiting each year. That is the bottom line. He needs to step down this year, not later. I want to experience an exciting football program at the University of Tennessee again.
Colliervol writes:
Another little tidbit regarding Higgins' comment about "archaic offensive philosophy" and recruiting. Just heard an interview with Jeremy Crabtree of Rivals. Obviously, you can take any recruiting rating with a grain of salt, but Florida got a commit yesterday from the top rated player in the country and he said the the Gators are "cleaning up" in recruiting this year. They always will be highly rated in recruiting but this year seems to be even better than normal. The question for the next several years is if we can keep up. If we can't, then it puts us even more behind the 8 ball.
Txvol57 writes:
Nick,
Nobody is saying Fulmer is a bad person, he is just an awful coach. Just look at his record over the last 8 years, this type of meritocracy and inconsistency is unacceptable when you have had 56 players drafted to the NFL since 1999.
tennesseekilt#206652 writes:
What a great article! No name-calling or disrespect from me, because Fulmer has done a lot for UT and really bleeds orange, but it is time for him to go. Did anybody hear Colin Cowherd yesterday detailing the program he felt was in decline? He prefaced it by saying he picked Miami under Coker and Michican under Carr long before they hit rock bottom, and Tennessee was going the same way under Fulmer. He said "Phil Fulmer has to go", and I think most of us agree.
bigorangebolt writes:
This is a very nice article. I agree with this article 100%! We must change coaches to advance the great TN progam to the top, where it should be now!
I think we must clean house. We need new ideas and new coaches with a stern discipline approach and innovative ways to win games. We need a game thinker with an attitude determine altitude. Mike Hamilton needs to do a thorough job in replacing Fulmer. The above was a class and awesome article.
GoVol writes:
Great article. Fulmer's record against the more elite programs & coaches speaks for itself. It is time for a change because what it now takes to be competitive in the SEC is currently beyond Fulmer's ability.
inquiry writes:
I noted the writer here is from Memphis, the home of anti vol talk anyway.. doesn't mean squat to me.. GO PHIL and GO VOLS.. go pick on them Tigers or something
TNvolunteer writes:
Great Article...Stunning...Now Maybe, this Article grabbed AD Hamilton's attention...I like idea of WVU's Rich Rodriguez, Norm Chow, or Steve Spurier coaching here...All of those guys can hang some basketball points on someone...And they arent afraid to run the score up on someone like UF did to us last weekend....Again Hell of an article!!!!
AllVol writes:
Very well written, and what so many people have been trying to say. This article absolutely nails it--simple as that. If only Coach Fulmer would walk away with his pride and a lot of respect from a lot of people. Johnny didn't, and neither will he. A real shame.
onecrazyvol writes:
Kudos!!! I LOVE IT!!!!
Sheepscape writes:
In the immortal words of The Lord Humungous:
Just walk away
hueypilot writes:
This is a sad time for Tennessee football. I realized when Majors finally had some competitive football teams after about 8 years back home, that we had him for awhile. Because in those days, and still today to some extent, you don't fire a son of the program, who has spent virtually his entire football career on the hill. The argument over how Johnny's demise played out continues, but however it occurred, Johnny was out and Phil was in and led those of us who just barely remembered Bowden Wyatt and had only heard of General Neyland back to national prominence with an undisputed undefeated national championship. We continued at a high level, but everything changed at the halftime of the 2001 SEC championship. Someone mentioned before that someone foretold of the loss, given Florida and Tennessee fought so hard the week before in Gainesville. But the program has continued to slide since that time almost 6 years ago. 6 years is enough time for anyone to correct a slide and Phillip hasn't done it. The local fishwrap in Jacksonville predicts Fulmer will survive but John Chavis won't. I don't think that's a viable option. I hope the university can hold some private talks with Fulmer and allow him to resign and walk away with somewhat of the same financial benefits as if he was fired. We're talking about money and Fulmer, like any of us, is going to do what's best for his family and his future. I hope he will give it up, but I think the chances are slim, unless the administration makes it happen in a way that Fulmer can leave with some dignity. I think we'd all like to see that, Fulmer bashers and supporters alike.
BubbaTN writes:
Finally an honest article about UT Football!!!!
Before anyone can change they must first admit a problem exists (Hamilton are you listening?). We’ve had our head in the sand too long.
Fulmer, you were great for UT and will always be remembered as a great coach…but give us hope and LEAVE.
Colliervol writes:
Inquiry, the fact he's in Memphis has nothing to do with anything. Higgins is acknowledged as one of the best and most knowledgeable writers on the SEC beat (by his peers and by folks around Memphis who read him regularly. The KNS should be so lucky to have a writer as good as this guy is). He focuses solely on the SEC and doesn't even cover Memphis. (And if you ask Memphis fans, they would laugh at you if you told them Higgins was a Tiger fan. They think he's the Anti-Christ.) What I like about Higgins is that he will praise when it's deserved and will criticize when it's deserved. And he has no favorites.
And allvol, you said it man. If only he would walk away gracefully. I might be surprised but I just don't see that happening.
wheatbarley writes:
I agree with the article in all but one respect. The UT program was not stagnant under Majors, unless you consider 11-1(SEC Champ.) in 1989, 9-2-2(SEC Champ.) in 1990, and 9-3 in 1991 stagnant.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
I think Hueypilot has got it right. I am convinced that you will not find anyone who cares about the program more than Coach Fulmer. And that is the dang thing that makes it so hard. If he was just some hired gun from Kodak State than it wouldn't be so bad. But the man has been wearing orange for God only knows how long. If this season does tank, which it may not, than I guess the best option is for Coach Fulmer to step aside with dignity and hope we can get someone in here who can get ir done. This sucks though. I wish we could all just join hands, win national championships, and sing happy songs like Free Bird.
bruteforce7#630403 writes:
I keep screaming for head coach of the Titans, Jeff Fisher. This man knows football and knows how to get the most out of his players. If he had talent to work with, who knows what he could do. Very very smart coach and I'm sure it would take a lot of money to lure him away from the Titans, but it would be well worth the dough I promise.
hueypilot writes:
I think Gator Nation is the poster child for undesirable outcomes when you take a pay site to open for everyone. $40 sure kept out the riff raff.
bigbluevol writes:
If Fulmer does not get this team to win out, I think the following scenario is pretty likely: He will have the opportunity to make some staff changes, primarily on the defensive side of the ball (i.e. fire Chavis). If he refuses, I believe he will be fired himself. Very similar to what happened to Cutcliffe three years ago at Ole Miss. I think that he will refuse and he will be forced to leave.
dbs writes:
Great, honest article. He uses some of the stats posted in the KNS forums this week - nice to see an independent verification of them
Wake up, Hamilton. Phil's a nice guy, part of the UT family. No one wishes him ill. But, it is past time for a change.
==========
Years without SEC title: 8
Years without BCS bowl: 7
Years without top 10 ranking: 5
Years without AP Top 25 ranking: 2000, 2002, 2005, (2006-25th)
Years with 3 or more losses: 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 (5 straight years and 7 out of 8 )
Years with multiple losses to unranked teams: 2003, 2005
Years with loss in last 2 games of season: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 (EIGHT straight years and counting)
4-8 (.333) vs. Spurrier: (2-3 since 1998 )
2-4 (.333) vs. Richt
1-3 (.250) vs. Tuberville
1-2 (.333) vs. Saban
0-3 (.000) vs. Meyer
9-17 (.346) 1999 - present vs. FL, GA, LSU, AUB (thank God for Zook!)
7-16 (.304 ) 2000 - present vs. FL, GA, LSU, AUB
5-15 (.250) 2000 - present vs. FL, GA, LSU, AUB excluding games vs. Zook
5-13 (.278) 2000 - present vs. FL, GA, AUB
3-12 (.200) 2000 - present vs. FL, GA, AUB excluding games vs. Zook
5-10 (.333) 2000 - present vs. FL, GA
3-9 (.250) 2000 - present vs. FL, GA excluding games vs. Zook
2-5 (.286) 2000 - present vs. GA
8-16 (.333) vs. Top 10 teams 1999 - present
1-6 (.142) vs. Top 10 teams at home 2000 - present
6-14 (.300) vs. Top 10 teams 2000 - present
17-21 (.447) vs. Ranked Teams 1999 - present
2-5 (.285) Bowl games since 1998 (all double digit losses)
2-7 (.222) Postseason record since 1998 including SECCG (all double digit losses)
NortheastTNVol writes:
AMEN. We should protest outside Neyland to have Fulmer ousted. We should protest outside Hamilton's office to have Fulmer ousted.
It is ineffective to continue talking about it on a message board. I seriously believe we should take action, QUICKLY.
bigbluevol writes:
brute - Fisher just signed an extension. The only college he would leave the Titans for is his alma mater USC. With the exception of Al Groh, when is the last time an NFL head coach left to go back to college? Groh wouldn't have done it if it hadn't been his alma mater, and that's not really working out great for all parties there, anyway.
vol52 writes:
I agree with Wheatbarley and Hueypiolet. I als like this article very much. I want a soft transition.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
A few things we have got to remember.
1. Coach Fisher would never come to UT. I cannot think of any head coaches (I am sure there are some) who have left the NFL to go back to college with the exception of Nick "I guess I have to just come out and say I am not going to coach Alabama" Saban. They just don't do it unless they are yellow bellied quitters like exhibit A.
2. Rich Rodriguez, Steve Spurrier, etc. are not going to come here either. They are coaching at big schools and have successful programs and fat contracts. It is not fun to uproot and they have no reason to do so. It will have to be some young ambitious coach or a coordinator from a major school.
3. Mike Hamilton will absolutely not fire Coach Fulmer. It is a similar situation to Bobby Bowden and Joe Paterno. Although these fellas have been in their nest for a far longer time, Coach Fulmer has been in the UT system for about as long. You don't go from contract extension year after year to firing the guy and then having to unload a huge severance package. If you are going to see Coach Fulmer forced out, it will only come after a year of no raise and no contract extension.
What do you think? Right or wrong?
NortheastTNVol writes:
This article could not be more spot on.
NortheastTNVol writes:
Nick, it is really kind of hard to tell. If you think about it though, I bet Hamilton will be quick to give Tennessee Doughboy the boot if the donations stop rolling in and fans stop packing the stadium every saturday. It is a business, no fans in the seats, no money coming in for the program.
bruteforce7#630403 writes:
bigbluevol
Yes I'm aware that Fisher just signed an extension, but money talks and stranger things have happen. I think we should at least give him a great offer. You never know until you ask. Again I think it would pay off greatly if we could land him. Everyone is yelling Spurrier, but how many good years do you think he really has left in the tank? Give me Fisher any day.
dinovols#278873 writes:
Great Article, I agree 100% time for a new winning philosphy at The University Of Tennessee...a Dinosaur coach Like PF won't get it done and has not gotten the job done on the field since 98...Please AD (Hamilton) make a change restore our program...BRING IN NORM CHOW!
rockytop#413695 writes:
I've been a Vol fan for over 40 years (man I can't be that old). I grew up in Knoxville, graduated from Farragut when Neil Clabo was there and just before Bill Bates. I've watch the Vols have success and struggles under Dickey (I played Midget football with both his sons), Battle, Majors, and now Fulmer. Out of all those coaches I have the most respect for Fulmer because he brought me what will probably be my only national championship in football. He's really a class act and is extremely intelligent. I'm tired of the name calling and references to his weight. Boys, there's a lot of overweight coaches out there and has been over the years. Take the name calling back to the school yard children. With that said, I sadly have to agree that Fulmer's time is up. His system does not work, he refuses to play talented Freshmen, and it takes way too long to develop players in his system. By his recent statements about "staying the course" he refuses to see the necessity to change his approach in these new days. It's like carrying a Walkman CD player around when you can buy an Ipod. It just doesn't work anymore. I had hoped he would change and be more innovative and more of a risk taker, but he has not. I agree that it would be nice for him to leave with dignity. I don't want to see the moving van in front of a coaches house again. Unless a miracle happens the remainder of the season (and it would have to be a miracle!) Hamilton should start the interview process.
PureOrange writes:
I say it again. Phil Fulmer is a really nice guy, and I appreciate his dedication to UT, but the sad fact is, the game has passed him by.
Sure, he is a great recruiter, but he is like the great surgeon who goes blind - he cannot see how to operate any more. Phil takes these great players he recruits and turns them into less than they should be.
Our offense has no imagination; our defense has little desire to hit and hussle; and our coaches (except for Trooper) look like they may as well be at the opera because there is no leadership or enthusiasm on the sidelines.
We may lose with a wideopen offense and a blitzing defense, but at least it would be exciting to watch. The teams we now put on the field are boring and embarrassing to watch.
The only thing we can count on is the excuses after the game, along with the promise to fix the problems.
It is a very sad day in Tennessee football. The school, the fans, and the players deserve better.
bigbluevol writes:
Sorry - I should have put the large caveat in: successful NFL head coaches. Carroll, failed with the Pats. Spurrier failed in DC. Callahan got to the Super Bowl with Gruden's players, then fell out quickly. Erickson failed twice, Seattle and SF. Wannstedt, failed in Chicago and Miami. Brooks failed in St Louis. Saban wasn't getting it done in Miami. Fisher is a successful NFL coach who has been able to reconstruct a team. He's not going anywhere right as he's about to get back to the elite level. If you give him an offer and he turns it down, it makes us look foolish. Not everyone is as motivated by money as Saban.
Vols37922 writes:
I have showed my frustration with Fulmer on this site and I still hold that I think it is time to make a change. I do believe the game has passed Fulmer by. But if we do decide to make a change, let's let Fulmer step down with some pride and not just toss him by the wayside. The man has done something that almost every coach at the university has failed to do - win a national championship. If we make a change, let's applaud the man for his accomplishments and not just say "good riddance." Fulmer gave a large majority of his life to the university and the football team.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
sjt18: You are correct sir. These were head coaches. However the difference is that all of these men were fired, not lured away. Correct me if I am wrong.
bigbluevol writes:
And, of those guys, only Carroll has been a bona fide success. Saban might be, but he's only 3 games in. Callahan is struggling. Spurrier has improved SC, but they had no tradition anyway so anything he does is a success, Wannstedt is not doing well, Brooks has taken a while to get Kentucky going (and after they lose to Arkansas this weekend, it will be interesting to see what direction their season goes.)
shopsports#273141 writes:
Very honest and truthful article. Very professional. Name calling is not necessary. You sound like a small child hiresanders...your screen name says a lot. No TN fan wishes Fulmer anything but the best. I do agree he should be moved to another A Dept. position. You can email Mike Hamilton from utsports.com. He should start the process and Phil should resign now. The logic in this article should be followed. I have loved and supported Fulmer as a person all along. Now it is time for a business decision that things are NOT working and he CANNOT change them.
bruteforce7#630403 writes:
I don't think our program has a QB that can run a spread option offense. Maybe this is the reason it's not being tried. Ainge couldn't run if his life depended on it an Crompton is not much faster. You have to have a mobile QB to run that type offense so what do you do when you don't have one?
joebomb writes:
Nick, I think you're wrong. I think Hamilton will be under so much presure from the big boosters that he will let Phil go and force him to resign. bruteforce7...I like the idea if Fisher, but his current contact is for like 6.5 million...so money does talk be UT won't be saying those numbers.
sstarnes#216340 writes:
Fulmer is just an average coach folks, let's face it. The only reason Tennessee even won the national championship in 1998 is because they were extremely lucky. Has everyone forgotten the gift that Clint Stoerner gave Tennessee late in that ball game, when he laid the ball on the ground late in the 4th quarter? Tennessee was outcoached in 1998 in several ballgames but were able to grind out wins based on talent alone. Today the game is different. Talent wise, schools are recruiting equal talent, but without a coach to harness that talent and motivate these kids to use their abilities, you aren't going to be successful in today's game of college football. Tennessee was successful in the 90's based mainly on talent. Now that the "talent" advantage has been neutralized many teams have to outcoach opponents and prepare properly for the big games. Fulmer doesn't do that, NEVER has. It's time for a change!!
bigbluevol writes:
Tedford wouldn't be a bad choice. He is itching to leave because he wants to be somewhere that football is taken seriously and he doesn't have tree huggers standing in the way of stadium renovations and complex construction. Also, his offense doesn't require a mobile quarterback. However, the only concern is defense. For all of you ripping our offense, remember that we hung 31 on them. Leach's offense is much the same as Tedford's. One back, spread out, but doesn't require or rely on a mobile quarterback.
shoalcreekvol writes:
Bear Bryant was once at this exact point. As I've heard the story (too young to know for sure) he spent part of the off-season with Darrell Royal learning the new hot offense and dumped the wishbone, then returned to prominence for a few more national titles in the mid to late 70's. Fulmer and Co. can do the same kind of thing and take a step forward, or take a hike. One or the other. I'd be sad to see him go but stubbornness will eventually catch up to you.
wheatbarley writes:
Majors went 5-6 in '88, then 29-6-2 with 2 SEC titles. Fulmer is now 10-6 after his 5-6 season. Will he win 19 more this year and next?
volfaninchattanooga writes:
I agree with this article one hundred percent. It is so time for him to go. I wish he would just go ahead and step down on his own. I wonder what Fulmer's kids think when they read these articles. I wonder if his wife and children have told him the obvious painful truth and advised him to step down and move out of the way before we crash and burn. I do feel sorry for his family though.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
I jump on the optimistic wagon and vote for the 19 straight wins for a BCS bowl and National Championship like wheatbarley said. Then Fulmer resigns on top of the heap and lives out the rest of his days in an orange castle overlooking Lake Loudon. Ah Peaceful bliss.
hoskinsfive#468391 writes:
Finally! A Sports Writer with guts! This article says it all. Fulmer is a good guy, but so was Buzz Peterson, and Billy Graham. It's about wins and loses. PERIOD!
Now why cant this article be in the News Sentinel?
CoverOrange writes:
What I gather from that list, Bigblue, is that failure in the NFL does not preclude success in the NCAA. I still prefer the "Pearl" model of going after a small school coach, bright, motivated and hungry. Anybody know anything about Brian Kelly at Cincinnati? They used to the perennial doormat of Kentucky when they were the perennial doormat of the SEC.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.