Posted by tngeoff on April 2, 2008 at 8:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Okay.

Posted by rabidvol1998 on April 2, 2008 at 8:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

200 or bust. Coach will and should stay until he gets 200.

Go Vols

Posted by pdhuff on April 2, 2008 at 8:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tngeoff, interesting article.

Ck out ajc.com - sports click on Mr College Football (Tony Barnhart) discussing the SEC East this fall. The comments are off the chart.

Posted by PLEASEGETRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE on April 2, 2008 at 9:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

rabidvol-you are a clown.

Posted by GerryOP on April 2, 2008 at 9:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gee, hasn't Fulmer always said that he wanted to stay until he won another NC? Now it comes out that what he is really after is passing Neyland's all-time win record! Interesting.....

Posted by murrayvol on April 2, 2008 at 9:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pdhuff: Good link. I'll be sure to return when they hit L #3.

Posted by TurboFan on April 2, 2008 at 9:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't read it that way, Gerry. Just my take, but I think Phil wants both. So if he miracuously won a NC next year he wouldn't automatically call it quits.

Posted by ggriggs939 on April 2, 2008 at 9:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The General was here from 1926 to 1952. With 3 years out for WW II during which he commanded the troops who built the Burma Road, that leaves him with 23 years in which he won 173 games or 7.5 games per season.
Phillip has been Head Coach for 15 years and has won 147 games or 9.8 games per season.
Which is the better record?
Phillip has to work under more severe constraints,also. For example, when Majors went to Pittsburgh from Iowa State in the 70s. his first class had 120 recruits which as seniors, won the national championship. Ncaa constraints have evened up the playing field and the competition is more balanced nowadays as well.
The fans during the Neyland era were truer VOLS than the present group. The local media were better qualified to report in that they supported the programs rather than biting the hand that provided the reason for their existence.

Posted by burntorangeVOLffle on April 2, 2008 at 9:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gerry, did Fulmer say that? Because I don't see that HE said that.

I'm guessing Fulmer's personal goals are probably 1) win a NC, then a distant but much more attainable 2) break Neyland's win total.

Posted by pdhuff on April 2, 2008 at 9:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

err ggriggs- small point - how many games per year did they play in Neylands era?

Don't know but Neyland may have won 173 out of 230 or so. Some one will know.

How many games has Phil coached in his 15 years?
190 or so, just guessing. Agree that media coverage has changed from facts to seeking sensation.

Posted by TurboFan on April 2, 2008 at 9:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GGriggs, Neyland also missed one year in 1935 and missed 5 years in WWII (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) for a total of 21 years. 8.2 wins a year while playing 10.1 games a year. An 81% winning record.

Posted by TurboFan on April 2, 2008 at 9:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PDhuff, 213 total for the General. 10 game schedule until 1938 then 10 or 11 from then on.

Posted by pdhuff on April 2, 2008 at 10:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tks WD40 -Neyland's record is safe. The winning percentage will never be approached.

Did Hamilton even discuss winning the SEC in football?

Posted by rabidvol1998 on April 2, 2008 at 10:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So Fulmer may turn out to be only the second best coach in TN history? If he wins 200 and 2-3 more SEC's, with a shot at a NC, he's the best.

Posted by Couchdummy on April 2, 2008 at 10:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

RE: Posted by tngeoff on April 2, 2008 at 8:41 p.m.

Okay.
.............................

OKAY? WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? That you can comprehend?

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 2, 2008 at 10:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yawn...Hamilton sets program goals (like winning the SEC every 4-5 years) but he obviously doesn't want to hold Coach Fulmer to this standard. 10 years and counting....

Posted by hglover40 on April 2, 2008 at 11:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WorkinLikeHeck -
Do you suppose it is easy to win the SEC at UT when these schools have a better recruiting class average since 2001 - GA,LSU,FL. I think it's hard to win any conference when 3 teams in the conference attract more talent. But CPF has gotten us close! Thank God for CPF.
If you think it is easy to win with inferior talent, bring a collie over to Mike Vicks and I'll bring my Rottweiler and we'll see how it goes. :)

Posted by LargeOrange on April 2, 2008 at 11:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by PLEASEGETRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE on April 2, 2008 at 9:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
rabidvol-you are a clown.

I am not one prone to step up to defend Rabidvol, but I have to say to PLEASEGETRID... you are the clown here as well as a negative jerk and an idiot. Did I cover everything, no, but I don't want to get banned, so I will leave it there.

Posted by burntorangeVOLffle on April 2, 2008 at 11:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Didn't Hamilton say he wanted us to win an SEC around 2 times per decade but at least play for it once every 3-4 years. We have met the latter goal.

It's hard to win the SEC. In the past 10 years 5 different teams have won it and only LSU has won it more than twice. It's not the Big 12 where Texas and OU are the only real contenders. Or the Big 10 where its Mich or OSU. Or the Pac-10 where its USC and ..... USC.

Posted by BigOrangeVol on April 2, 2008 at 11:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Brigadier General Robert Reese Neyland has a 21 season record at UT of 172-31-12 for a winning percentage of 80.1% with 6 SEC Championships and 4 National Championships.

Phillip Fulmer has a 15½ season record of 147-45 for a winning percentage of 76.6% with 2 SEC Championships and 1 National Championship.

To put this into perspective...Phillip would have to accrue three 11-1 regular seasons with three SEC Championships (12-1) and three National Championships (13-1) to reach a 79.5 winning percentage and would still be one SEC title and .6% short of the General's record.

If he went undefeated for the next three seasons, won the SEC’s and the National Championships he would end up 189-45 with a winning percentage of 80.8 but would still be one SEC title short of GRN.

...and I’m obviously bored with way too much time on my hands tonight! Pass me a fritter.

Posted by dvols on April 2, 2008 at 11:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

u idiots don't even know what tn football is!

go vols and thanks for coach fulmer!

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 3, 2008 at 12:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"only LSU has won it more than twice"...is this going to be the new excuse? You could say this about any time period in the SEC (Florida in the mid 90s, Auburn in the mid to late 80s, UGA in the late 70s, early 80s, Bama in the 60s and 70s, Ole Miss in the mid 50 to early 60s, etc.). I mean what does that statement even mean?

We have won it once in the past 10 years and that was 10 years ago. UGA, LSU, and Florida have all won it more than us during that time period. But wait a second that's supposed to be beacuse of SEC parity although we still can't win it. YOu'd think parity would throw us a bone every now again, especially with such a great coach as Fulmer. Thank God Tennessee and Florida had the only 2 competent SEC teams in the mid to late 90s (you know the "glory years where we beat Spurrier one time and won 2 SEC titles while playing 2nd fiddle to UF for the majority of the time).

Behind UGA, UF and LSU in recruiting rankings? I am glad recruiting ranking mean so much now to fit your argument. I thought Fulmer could recruit or do you have another excuse?

Posted by PLEASEGETRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE on April 3, 2008 at 12:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

LargeOrange supports underachievers.

Posted by LargeOrange on April 3, 2008 at 12:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

WorkinLikeHeck - we took the eventual National Champs to the fourth quarter to only lose to them by two pitiful turnovers. If that didn't happen and we won the SEC, would that shut you up? No, you would find something else to bitch about, you whiny morons are getting old. We have play two teams, in GA and FL, that are pre-season top ten, that we have to go through plus UCLA on the road. It is probably not going to happen next year either. You guys need to tie your self worth and ego to something else besides Fulmer and winning the SEC and NC every few years. It doesn't happen that often especially in the SEC and you are always going to be whining no matter what happens. If we win it will be because of luck and how the other team didn't do this or that. IF you are so unhappy why do you call yourself a Vol and waste our and your time running down our team?

Posted by LargeOrange on April 3, 2008 at 12:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

PLEASEGETRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE doesn't support the VOLS, unless they win every game. Front runner and bandwagon fan.

Posted by Gigavol on April 3, 2008 at 12:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

burntorange, Hamilton came back and added the 'play for one every 3 or 4 years' a year or two later.

Is 10 years of 2nd place better than a couple 2nd place and a couple 1st place finishes? Ask Ohio State.

Posted by BigOrangeVol on April 3, 2008 at 1:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I know I'd be scared to death to run a Deep Out, Post, Curl or Fly route against our secondary this year. Seeing EB, DeMo, Rogan and Willingham running at you with a full head of steam and blood in their eyes would make me crap my pants. I sure hope that Slade doesn't screw them up too bad!

Posted by pdhuff on April 3, 2008 at 5:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

At least we'll know early what to expect on the journey this fall. I may be in the minority but I think the UAB game would have been great to work a few bugs out of a new OC, new system and players new to Clawson adapting.

As far as debating winning the SEC, you either do or you don't. Unfortunately, we have been "don'ts" for a long time. No spinning it. Someone said our current coach has a losing record vs 6 of the 11 current SEC coaches. WD40 will know.

We'll see soon enuf.

Go Vols, make us proud on Monday Nite.

Posted by wjackson on April 3, 2008 at 6:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

PLEASEGETRIDOF is a tool who only says negative things and has no knowledge of what it takes to coach. He is just a sad piece of a man with a sad attitude.

Posted by mtnvol on April 3, 2008 at 6:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Kind of like a child..."I'm with you all the way... until you lose and then you're on your own."

And before you say something like "I love the program. That's why I want a winner." Empty critiques and name calling isn't the constructive way to accomplish those goals.

Posted by jimr07 on April 3, 2008 at 6:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

you have to understand about people like GETRIDOF, no one pays any attention to what he says except on here. on here he can come and say all the negative things knowing that it will ruffle some feathers and he can be a big man. this is probably the only place anyone would pay attention to anything he has to say.
It is a shame that he has no credibility. You are right, if we won the NC he would whine about it for some reason.

Posted by drwfocus on April 3, 2008 at 8:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

mtnvol - in 1970 or today I would not want PGRO in my fox hole for exactly the reasons you stated.

Posted by LazhilUT on April 3, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Exposure...if we already recruited horribly, getting spanked against UCLA on national television...that's not gonna help at all...

Posted by Greyback_Vol on April 3, 2008 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think it would be nice for Fulmer to be the all-time winningest coach at UT. No, he doesn't even come close to knowing defense like Neyland did and he'll never approach the General's winning percentage, but Fulmer is a great represenative of the program. It would also be nice if UT's leader in wins was someone who grew up in TN, played at UT, and was a UT man through and through.

Posted by Madkels on April 3, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

LargeOrange...
We once won close games like the SEC championship game. Over the last several years, we don't win them, or beat Florida. Not to mention, getting blown out by Bama in Satan's first year. Wouldn't you like to beat the Gators or LSU every once in a while? Why don't we anymore? You have to ask that question! How many more years will we allow our program to underachieve?

Posted by GerryOP on April 3, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Greyback_Vol, it would also be nice if Fulmer avoided embarrassing losses to historical foes, won a championship, and focused on team and University goals -- championships -- not personal goals -- all-time winningest coach!

2008 could be a pivotal year for Coach Fulmer.

Posted by NJVol on April 3, 2008 at 9:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't think you can compare winning percentages from Neyland's era to winning percentages from Fullmer's.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 3, 2008 at 9:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by LargeOrange on April 3, 2008 at 12:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

WorkinLikeHeck - we took the eventual National Champs to the fourth quarter to only lose to them by two pitiful turnovers.

Did we or did we not lose this game? Aww shucks, well we almost won. IF we would have won that game we would be meeting stated program goals as laid out by Hamilton and thus my complaining would be done.

Posted by dvol on April 3, 2008 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Let me get this right. Phil needs 27 wins to pass the man the Stadium is named after and 53 wins to reach 200. If he averages 9 wins a year that is 3 years to break General Neyland's record. Then it will take 3 more years to reach 200 wins. Less than 9 wins a season and it takes even longer. More raises, higher ticket prices, This is just to depressing to think about. I'm going to stop now.

Posted by waterskier3 on April 3, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

what's even more troublesome about hamilton is he sounds content to let fulmer ride it out until he beats neyland..... OMG if we have to keep this DA until 200 wins we'll be the laughing stock of the nation... the only school to keep a coach that wins BS games but sux against top 10 teams and lets him stay until he wants to leave.....
so much for pay for performance........

sounds like fla state and penn state and how many championships have they won since the AD took that stance??????????

How many people are going to be happy with 3 losses in 08 and maybe 4????

expect to be average and you will be average!!!!!!

Posted by jimr07 on April 3, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

NJVol--you hit the nail on the head. comparison to that era is like comparing a model-T to a Lexus

Posted by auttat on April 3, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

CRVol, can you please explain what you get out of your vendetta against Fulmer? Cause, you can talk all you want, but he is STILL the Head Coach.

Least you are persistent. A lesser man would have given up long ago. Your good buddy TDTN did.

Posted by TommyJack on April 3, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Methinks Coach Clawson did not come here to wait on CPF's 200 wins.

Posted by burntorangeVOLffle on April 3, 2008 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Regarding Fulmer's W-L record vs other coaches and top 10 teams.

Do you guys know who has the best record in the league vs. top 10 teams? Auburn's Tommy Tuberville. He's around 12-3 vs. top 10. I don't know what his match-up record with other coaches is (execept 2-0 vs. Meyer). That's pretty impressive. He's hands down the best "big gsme" coach in the SEC.

Now can you tell me how many SEC CG appearances and wins he has? ..... One.

Posted by pupvol on April 3, 2008 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

didn"t hamilton say last year that the football job here wasn"t one of the best in america! now he"s saying the basketball job is? think about that.

Posted by sjt18 on April 3, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If CPF survives to get 200 wins, real Vol fans will be happy about it. I don't see him surviving while perpetually winning only 8-10 games and failing to win championships.

Eleven wins per season on avg would probably make most happy, would result in at least one SEC championship, and would get him to 200 in 5 years.

Contrary to what was posted earlier, I would not be surprised to see him hang up his whistle if he won an NC this year at all. It IS a long, longshot though. He almost quit last time and maybe has alot more reason to quit now if he makes it back to the top of the mountain.

Posted by burntorangeVOLffle on April 3, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

And to the person that commented on ticket price increases due to Fulmer getting raises.

I got news for you. The ticket prices will increase no matter who the coach is. Fulmer's salary has very little to do with that.

Besides that, look at what some other SEC schools are paying first year coaches. If the Fulmer haters think a "name" coach is going to come here for less than what Fulmer is making you are in serious need of a reality check.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 3, 2008 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

auttat, who has a vendetta? Fulmer isn't meeting goals. It's really that simple.

Posted by FlushTheJohn on April 3, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Remember guys, in Neyland's day if Marvel comics had a top 10 with you listed at number 1, you could claim a national championship! That is not the world we live in today. It is much harder to win a National or an SEC championship than it has ever been before!

Posted by FlushTheJohn on April 3, 2008 at 10:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Just to let you know. At every university in the land, there will be increases in ticket prices about every 4 years or so. It is just like everything else in life (tuition, Gas, etc). Get over it!!!!!!!

Posted by THE_VOL on April 3, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hams is so right about the inferiority complex! It's readily apparent just in the paranoid posts from the vocal minority here!

As for FOOLmer passing Neyland, well he needs 27 more wins - shouldn't take him more than about 5 years to get those!

Posted by auttat on April 3, 2008 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

CR, I'm just asking what you stand to gain from your constant criticism.

Are you a Tennessee fan? Do you want them to win games? Does your constant criticism change the fact that Fulmer is STILL the coach, and most likely will leave when he is ready?

And, please don't try to throw your facts at me. I know them just as well as you do. I'm only asking what good it does you to harp on them.

Posted by TommyJack on April 3, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Here's a fact. With mediocrity (at most) at the D-tackle positions, we stand NO chance of a ring this year. There is quality at the DB level. Good thing...they're gonna be busy. Yes, I'm a TRUE VOL fan.

Posted by arkyvol on April 3, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

the thing that comes to mind when hamilton is mentioned is that here is a man who cannot distinguish between sacrifice (the vols who gave their lives for this country)and entertaiment (peyton, reggie and the others who grew rich from their talents). in diminishing the honor previously given only to fallen vols, he trivialized what had been one of the things about UT i was proudest of.

Posted by richvol on April 3, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Pupvol, I'm glad you reminded me of Hamilton's comment that the UT football coaching job was not a top job in the college football world. I can't even believe that he made that statement and if he really believes that then he is in the wrong job himself. On the face of it that statement is ridiculous.

As athletic director of UT he may be in a better position to know this than most but as a Vol fan for 57 years I can tell you that any coach that has a sense of history and knows anything about college football would jump at the chance to coach here.

One more thing...everyone seems to forget that Hamilton will never be able to make the call on Fulmer staying or going. That rests with Haslem and the athletic board period.

Posted by nafslov on April 3, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Tommyjack I hope you're wrong but.....I sat in the Fiesta Bowl a few years ago and watched Nebraska ( run the ball 29 straight times) only to be tackled by safeties and corners ..We need quality DEs and LBs which we haven't had in a couple years..thus the Berry's ,Heffney's and Vinson's play..end up up making the tackles 8 yards down field ! Go Vols !

Posted by sjt18 on April 3, 2008 at 11:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

UT is a top job... that doesn't mean any established coach would want it all things considered.

TJ, "mediocrity (at most)"... Sounds like a definitive write off. Seems a little early for that to me. Those guys may still be the weak link but they'll have 3 talented upperclassmen as a base. If Bolden comes close to living up to his potential, they'll be better than last year IMO.

Williams was very good as a Soph... even good old TDTN acknowledged that. He should be even better as a JR.

Posted by marc_ash on April 3, 2008 at 11:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I like what Hamilton said. And here is something I want to point out about UT that I've noticed. There are a great number of fans that scream, whine and yell about how bad things are with football (and previously basketball). Bottom line is this, UT is a school that prides themselves on getting quailty people that WANT to be at UT. Not for the money....not for the prestige....but because they want to be Tennessee Vols!

I grow tired of hearing folks bash Fulmer and how badly he is for the program. He loves the Vols and has made changes. I suppose we could have gone after Saban...the million dollar man himself who goes where the next big check takes him. He isn't there for the Tide, he is there for himself.

Be thankful what we have. We have coaches that love Tennessee. We have an AD that loves this University. They love the Vols and they love the fans. Thats worth its weight in gold to me.

I can think of dozens of situations where schools don't have it anywhere near as luck as we do. Be thankful every once and a while.

Posted by snowvol on April 3, 2008 at 11:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

With Mike and Bruce Pearl, it's either a Partnership or a Business Relationship.

And with Phillip Fulmer, my guess is their relationship is akin to an Internship: Mike does whatever Phil tells him to do . . . and is happy to make Phil happy.

Posted by jimr07 on April 3, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

snowvol--do you have direct knowledge of what you posted?

Posted by Silent_Fulmer on April 3, 2008 at noon (Suggest removal)

auttat - it's pretty funny that you mention Fulmer can leave when he wants.

The guy was 1 or 2 miracle (lucky) plays last year (wins of destiny) from being CANNED.

Maybe you forgot when we went to Alabama and got blown out for no good reason?

Posted by pdhuff on April 3, 2008 at 12:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18 - 11:23-I think we agree on our strengths and needs. I've wondered long and hard why we haven't had any success in the last 3 years with getting DEs and DTs. Bama has 8 (allegedly SEC caliber) on their roster for example.

What is preventing us from getting even one lately? Any clues for a curious geezer.

Posted by givehim6 on April 3, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OK, let's look at what hamlton talked about. He talked about coach Pearl, and coach Fulmer. What halmton said about pearlwas what I wanted to hear, Pearl's in it for the long haul and build a program! And as for Fulermore, I guss it's good to have a great roll model. But he has some pretty BIG shoes to try and fill! And you can be a good coach when you try to be but (hehe) that will take a lot of hard work for you for the next 8 to 10 years! But I like what your saying.

Posted by 98reax on April 3, 2008 at 12:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OK, I love Bruce! I love Bruce! HOWEVER, now is the time to be talking Lady Vols Basketball. In case you haven't noticed, the women are in the Final Four for the 2000th time. WHAT is it going to take to give them THEIR props for a week or so before and after they capture their EIGHTH Nation title? Ever hear of equality? It's 2008 for crying out loud. It's OK to give women at least equal time in the spotlight.

You media types take them for granted and it makes me sick. Every year Pat Summitt, her elite staff, and her team is THE PREMIER PROGRAM in college sports. No program has had the success that she has had, yet, all you want to write about is Phil and Bruce.

Tell me straight up, is there not enough material for you to have more than two or three meaningless articles about The Lady Vols? Can you not find some stories of interest to pay tribute to these ladies and their families and devoted fans who follow them year after year after year?

Shame on you, We login to the home page and find Geno's ugly smirking mug instead of something of interest about OUR OWN coaching staff. Please be so kind to remove that thing. It could cause the destruction of thousands of computer screens.

Can you not just wait until the Lady Vols have had their day in the sun to start taking up the entire website and sport section with this other stuff? If the Vols were in the Final Four, I could understand some of this bias. BUT THEY ARE NOT. Give the Lady Vols their much deserved props. This other dribble can wait or move to the briefs column.

Posted by TommyJack on April 3, 2008 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt: Call it what you like. If I say black, you say white. If I say chocolate, you say pistachio, etc. Where's the proof of improvement on the DL? The conventional way to restock is thru recruiting. That hasn't happened yet. That doesn't concern you?

Posted by pdhuff on April 3, 2008 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

98reax 12:32, Amen, bro. They are the show!

They can flash the hardware. Lately.

Posted by TommyJack on April 3, 2008 at 12:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Snowvol: That makes zero sense.

Posted by GerryOP on April 3, 2008 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ, the free agent period starts April 31. We should pick up some quality DLs. But, gonna' have to be quick, it only lasts one day, April 31.

Posted by TommyJack on April 3, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gerry: Is it leap year? lol

Posted by GerryOP on April 3, 2008 at 1:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What? Are telling me there is no April 31? Dang... We were really banking on that period to pick up DLs. Foiled again! ;<{

Posted by auttat on April 3, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yet, he is still the coach. And, I said most likely.

Like I said, I know the facts as well as you do, but my point was what good does it do to harp on it. Obviously, you weren't paying attention.

Posted by Ashley on April 3, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

151 DAYS TILL ONE OF THE GREATEST COACHES IN THE COUNTRY LEADS US INTO ANOTHER GREAT SEASON OF TENNESSEE FOOTBALL!!!!!

Keep up the good work CPF.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 3, 2008 at 2:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I guess you really can't hold people to goals when everyone knows you were the 7th choice for AD.

Posted by 99gator on April 3, 2008 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

to be fair.....

i would not trade urban meyer for phil fulmer.....

however.....

tenn is arguably the best football program in america that does not have a natural recruiting base.

i have been to the univ of tenn and thought it was a great campus with great facilities. the problem is there are a number of schools in the SEC with resources and facilities.....and recruiting bases.

fulmer has done better at tennessee than all his predecssors. the fact that comparisons to neyland are being made is evidence enough. neyland coached in a completely different era and trying to compare the challenge of coaching tenn now as opposed to then is a waste of time.

so, i understand that it may be frustrating to some of you at times.....but, realize fulmer and tenn is at a natural disadvantage compared to other schools in the SEC.

a coach can make all the difference in the world. there is a reason florida won squat until the 1990's. but, if all things are equal.....and florida, georgia, lsu, auburn, and alabama are coached by competent coaches, then tenn must have an exceptional coach.

fulmer has won his share against all these schools, with the exception of florida. well, not a lot of schools have a great record against florida since 1992. those whose records are better did not play florida on a year in, year out basis.

so, while i understand the criticism.....and would even agree with some of it.....it can't be ignored that fulmer has accomplished a lot and should be respected for what he has been able to do.

Posted by mgdchvol on April 3, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You guys should be ashamed! A gator comes on here and makes better sense than most!
BE A VOL!!!!

Posted by VOLstuckINky on April 3, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

In five more years, we can only hope Hamilton is gone. If not, ticket prices will be $94 a game, and we'll have 1 to 2 more SECCG loses to show for it.

Phil will reach 27 wins if he's here for 4 more years ... don't see that happening, but with Hamilton still "padding" his resume, it is very possible.

Stay the course.

Posted by TommyJack on April 3, 2008 at 3:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No shame here. The 99gator usually makes sense. He would make more sense if he crossed over from the dark side. He needs to be outed. I know he's a closet vol.

Posted by firefatphil on April 3, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

According to this article it means we are stuck with mediocre Phil for at least another 3yrs. Assuming he can win 9 pr season. Just as it was pointed out earlier look at his record against top ten teams or even what would be considered a worthy opponent...its less than average. The wins are great but we will never see another championship with his complacent unenthusiastic attitude. I thought when Hamilton sent out the email defending Fulmers raise is was to compete for a NC. Now increased ticket prices are whats needed to compete. There are far better coaches with new ideas and the ability to motivate that can be had for less money. Just look at Pearl! Wonder how much he knows about football....

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 3, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gene DeFillipo (Boston College) - Nopee

Joe Castiglione (Oklahoma) - No way

Eric Hyman (TCU now South Car)- No thanks

Lee Fowler (NC State) - No

Tim Weiser (Kansas State) - NO

Ron Wellman (Wake Forest) - Not interested

We paid $25,000 grand to a search firm to get 6 "NO"s and then end up with Hamilton who was in a closet down the hallway from Dickey's office.

Posted by GoVol on April 3, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ashley - you must be CPF daughter. I also have noticed he has passed his 'cheerleadig' genes to you. Can we expect any new cheers this fall, or the same ones we've been seeing from CFP? By the way, the 'C' isn't for 'coach', but it is for 'cheerleader'.

Posted by vol88 on April 3, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

For once, I'm skipping past the tired old negative comments from the bandwagon fans, and I'm going to toss in my 2 cents without having raised blood pressure...

I enjoyed Hamilton's candid comments much, much more than his predictable "Letter from Mike Hamilton" emails.

That whole "buisness relationship vs. partnership" thing was interesting. That's the way to business. See UA football for how NOT to do it.

I would be mad, too, if I had a non-refundable ticket to LA, but I appreciate his candor that the national stage for the game was more important. Important decisions always upset some people. Hamilton made the right one, 100%.

For what it's worth, I think he's doing a nice job. I would like to see him put a little more teeth into UT's treatment of off-the-field troubles. But as far as facilities, personnel and overall integrity, I'm pleased.

And that's my 2 cents plus some.

Sincerely,
alumnus, donor and die-hard supporter

Posted by auttat on April 3, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Am I remembering correctly that Dickey was grooming Hamilton to be the AD all along, but the moron President that painted his office red and had red carpet and was gone in less than 12 months refused to give Hamilton the job.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 3, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Anyone else remember when Hamilton and the UTAD's decision to try some magazine scam with the season ticket holders a few years ago with Andersen News Media? Our information wasn't supposed to be used for solicitations or sold to a 3rd party but one of our alumni got this donor info list and we got a "free" magazine or something to that effect with our season tickets.

Posted by pupvol on April 3, 2008 at 3:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah if I were a gator i"d want ut to keep fulmer forever too.

Posted by Ashley on April 3, 2008 at 3:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

govol still holds a grudge against Fulmer for not tipping him back in the 70's. govol, was not employed by the club but he was desperate for money and love. CPF gave him neither and here govol still stands today, with his battle line drawn.

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/resour...

Posted by ONUV on April 3, 2008 at 4 p.m. (Suggest removal)

outermonvolia.com

Posted by bgreybass on April 3, 2008 at 4:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

General Neyland did a good job in his day. Football in Neylands days was a very different game than is played today or has been played for the past 25 years. If you have the Book "The Neyland Years" look at some of the teams that Tn played. University of the South, Chattanooga then some of the easier ones Maryville College, sometimes two times a season. and Carson Newman. Not exactly the UCLA, Cal, miami, Notre Dames, etc.Look at some of the TN ALL Americans under Neyland, 180 pound lineman and 135 pound backs. Neyland like Bear Bryant like to pad their schedule as much as possible with a weak team before a good team. Both were great coaches in their day but IMO would have serious problems accepting todays student athlete, national athletic politics and overall coaching requirements today.

Posted by JWilly on April 3, 2008 at 5:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Some like to point to last year's LSU SEC championship game as to how close it was and that UT was a couple of plays away from being SEC champs. As I recall, Les Miles held his best offensive player (QB) and his best defensive player (DT) out of the game to allow time for nagging injuries to better heal before bowl season. Both of those players could have played if needed, but neither did. I assume coach Miles figured he could win the game without his two best players. How much respect did he give the Vols? Phil will be around a long time if he is to catch Neyland. I hope he or Hamilton wises up before then.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 3, 2008 at 5:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

JWilly - IF LSU's All world DT is hurt and starting QB are out, Fulmer can coach em to make it close. What a joke.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 3, 2008 at 5:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pupvol - LOL. Fulmer has more fans in Florida than he does in Tennessee. I would say that about Alabama, but there's another side to that story.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 3, 2008 at 5:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18 wrote "Williams was very good as a Soph... even good old TDTN acknowledged that. He should be even better as a JR."

R.I.P TDTN.

Posted by Colliervol on April 3, 2008 at 5:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good points vol88 and auttat. If I were you though, I wouldn't waste my time with the usual culprits on here. Their reading comprehension is obviously bad. If they can't understand what Hamilton said in the last sentence of the article, there is no hope that they will understand what you said. When Hamilton says "HE has to decide" (how long he coaches), I wonder if they have the brains to figure out just who "HE" is. Of course, the "Cat in the Hat" would be a stretch for some of them so I probably shouldn't get my hopes up.

Posted by Silent_Fulmer on April 3, 2008 at 5:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

yawn, FOOLMER is the worst damn game day coach I have ever bared witness to. End of story.

Let me know the next time FOOLMER makes Tennessee nationally relevant again (which he tells all you moron's will happen every summer on his Big Orange Caravan tour)with his lesser talent (than he used to have) in today's SEC.

HINT: It's not going to happen for which more people like him in Florida than Tennessee.

Posted by sjt18 on April 3, 2008 at 5:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pdhuff said: "I've wondered long and hard why we haven't had any success in the last 3 years with getting DEs and DTs. Bama has 8 (allegedly SEC caliber) on their roster for example.

What is preventing us from getting even one lately? Any clues for a curious geezer."

Just some guesses...

Chavis isn't a great recruiter. People kick CPF but he can't recruit alone. The new SEC reality is that all hands have to be on deck for recruiting... CJC is possibly a weak link.

Philosophy. UT has so routinely taken DT's and made them OL's while making DE's into DT's that some of these kids are easily swayed by an opposing coach willing to point that out. Again, this falls at CJC's feet- it is his philosophy.

Tn isn't a great recruiting base. Bolden was probably the last national DT recruit in Tn... unless you count Hall and Sykes who should be in orange next year. Simply put- Tn has recently been a desert for DT's.

The competition is better. Saban hurts. I don't like him but he's pretty much closed down AL and is competing in GA, MS, FL, etc for recruits that might have been low hanging fruit for UT. Same can be said about Clemson, USC, Ark, and now even MSU and Ole Miss. KY produces less talent than Tn.

This past year though defies all logic unless players really were convinced CPF was on shaky ground. UT came in second with about 8 or 10 recruits. In the past, they'd have gotten one or two of them.

Posted by sgtvols on April 3, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ESPN ranked Fulmer the 8th best/worst coach in the SEC. Now with a 37th rated incoming class, how can we lose? Go Hamilton, keep the inbreeding flowing.

Posted by sgtvols on April 3, 2008 at 6:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It would be nice if Fulmer's goal for 2008, 2009 or 2010 was to beat Florida, forget a NC

Posted by 99gator on April 3, 2008 at 6:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

since 1992.....

other than florida state.....no one has beaten florida on more occasions than tennessee

Posted by sgtvols on April 3, 2008 at 7:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99 gator... whats the record for the last 10 years. of course we can talk about Gen Neylands record. Did you know that Ky NEVER beat Gen Neyland and that includes Bear Bryant years.

Posted by LargeOrange on April 3, 2008 at 8:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks, 99gator, I agree with the previous poster that said how pathetic and embarrassing it is that supposed VOL fans can find nothing good to say about our Football program and especially our Coach. Yet we have fans from our rivals that can speak the truth. Is Tn football is at it's pinnacle? NO. Is it "mediocre" "a national laughing stock"? NO. Is a top 12 ranking and a 10 win season a reason to continually whine, bitch, moan and attempt to humiliate our team, school, die hard fans, and current coach? NO. All of you constant doom seekers and CPF haters should go back and read this post and yes it applies to you as much as it does to GETRIDOF...
Posted by jimr07 on April 3, 2008 at 6:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on April 3, 2008 at 8:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Here we go again with another b17ch fest.

Posted by sgtvols on April 3, 2008 at 8:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Largeorange, how many more years are you willing to go without a sec champ/bcs bowl/victory over fla? where did we end up in the national ranking last year? is this satisfactory to you? where do you think we will will be ranked preseason? is this important to you?

Posted by pdhuff on April 3, 2008 at 8:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Fritter 5:12 great read - put you almost up in ol' TDTN's class.

Hay-sus -"more fans in Fla than Tenn". Priceless, have a dozen raspberry filled. You've earned it. Don the kevlar.

I believe 99gator is Phil's 2nd cousin. LOL

Posted by philfan on April 3, 2008 at 8:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by rabidvol1998 on April 2, 2008 at 8:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

200 or bust. Coach will and should stay until he gets 200.

Go Vols

rabidvol1998,

Did you mean Fulmer should stay at UT until he gets 200 victories or until he gets to 200 pounds? Just kidding. He will easily achieve this goal in three years. Any coach that can reach that milestone, as a coach in the elite SEC, deserves a hefty raise. He certainly will deserve more than Saban, who makes more than anyone and has accomplished very little so far. If Fulmer can win 200 or more games before retirement , can win one more SEC trophy, and can participate in at least three BCS bowls, then I will be very happy. I just do not think it is possible for any HC in the SEC to do more than that. And gator8, that especially includes Urban Meyer, with whom I am not particularly impressed. Meyer won a national championship with players he did not recruit and using a drop back passer recruited by Zook. Do not count Fulmer out quite yet. We have a whole new group of coaches who can't wait to hit the field on Labor Day.

Posted by LargeOrange on April 3, 2008 at 8:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by sgtvols on April 3, 2008 at 8:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
... where did we end up in the national ranking last year?

I mentioned it in my post sgtvols, we ended up #12 in the national ranking in both polls. That is higher than 107 of the total 119 D1 football schools (just in case your math skills are up there with your reading comprehension skills)
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/ranking...

Posted by GerryOP on April 3, 2008 at 8:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey folks, in 2007 we were the highest ranked 4 loss team, the SEC East champs, and we ALMOST beat the national champs! Now, let's all support Coach Fulmer's PERSONAL goal as he goes after Gen. Neyland's all-time wins record.

And the good news is that the '08 UCLA game will be on national TV! Hope we don't screw the pooch ... again.

Posted by sjt18 on April 3, 2008 at 8:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sgtvols, If CPF hired the right OC and they start beating UF and win the SEC... I could frankly care less what an ESPN writer's subjective opinion is.

Who did they have ranked above him?

Spurrier? Sorry, that magic is gone.

Richt? Subjectively, I'd agree. I really like MR... but 3 of the last 4 games say different... especially the last two that were blow outs.

Tuberville? Their win percentages since he got to Aub are the same even counting the 5-6 aberration.

Meyer is until CPF can consistently beat him.

Miles does less with more talent than anyone in America. IMO he's the worst coach in the SEC to include CPF and Nutt. I think any other SEC coaching staff would have won at least two NC's with less losses in the same amount of time.

Saban has an advantage until CPF proves he doesn't.

See how fun subjective non-sense can be?

There is only one, relevant, incontrovertible fact: Phil Fulmer is the UT HC for 2008. Get used to it and root for the Vols.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 3, 2008 at 9:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator, I don't really appreciate that Fulmer stat that you gave us. Only 6 teams have played Florida the same amount of times since 1992. The SEC East and FSU. That really isn't saying much as you guys own UGA and the rest of the East has been flat our terrible over this time period. That would be 2nd most wins out of 6 whole teams. Also, Auburn has beaten Florida the same amount times as we have since 1992 (95,96,01,06, and 07) despite playing Florida a few less times. Bama has won 4 times against Florida since 92 despite playing you guys far less times than we have. We get it, you and the Florida fans love Fulmer.

Posted by dlravol2 on April 3, 2008 at 9:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Winning IS everything,period!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by LargeOrange on April 3, 2008 at 9:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The way some of these guys like to spin things, like, if this or that had happened we would have been been 8-5 or 7-6. Here is a FACT for you (with a little positive spin). We finished the season with a 6-2 SEC record, tied with LSU (and Georgia) for the regular season SEC Champs. If this were like it was in General Neyland's days or if we were in other conferences (Big 10 among others), we would have that SEC championship that everyone says would make them happy. Georgia won the SEC Championship in BBall but does that take away our regular season championship? Technically, it is true to say that CPF won the SEC regular season in football this year, just like CBP did in Basketball this year. The same people that want to fire CPF want to give CBP a huge raise and lock him in to a longer term contract. Where is the consistency? How many years of not advancing past the sweet 16 or heaven forbid, ending up in the NIT, like Florida, until these negative whiners are calling for Bruce Pearls head? Not too many, I am guessing. Way to go Coach Fulmer 2007 SEC Regular Season Co-Champions!

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 3, 2008 at 9:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry to poke a hole through your little fantasy land scenario but the SEC regular champion in basketball is recognized as THE SEC CHAMPION, not the tournament champion like UGA was. That's what the trophies say and official record books declare. Keep reaching.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 3, 2008 at 10:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

For the uninformed, please refer to the following link to see that the Regular Season SEC champion is listed as SEC champion for related year:

http://www.secsports.com/doc_lib/bkc_...

Next fairy tale please.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 3, 2008 at 10:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

For the uninformed, please refer to the following link to see that the Regular Season SEC champion is listed as SEC champion for related year:

http://www.secsports.com/doc_lib/bkc_...

Next fairy tale please.

Posted by LargeOrange on April 3, 2008 at 10:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We know CR, it was a little satire. But surely you realize how stupid you and your "Legions of the Miserables" look to the rest of the country for begging for the firing of our coach who had very competitive season, in the consensus best conference in the country. You and your buddies are a joke to anyone who knows anything about modern football. Whine on, Coach Fulmer is here to stay, deal with it.

Posted by PLEASEGETRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE on April 3, 2008 at 10:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

LargeOrange is a TRUE Vol Fan. He is right because he even supported them in the 5-6 year and had nothing but great things to say about that team. Check your mentors record against the top 25 before you claim that he is doing an outstanding job at Tennessee. Bottom line: There are only about 3 to 4 games a year that Tennessee shouldn't be able to win by personel alone. And typically Fulmer loses 3 of these. Look at next years schedule and it is very clear.

Posted by LargeOrange on April 3, 2008 at 11:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PLEASEGETRID... please refer to the posts regarding you, above beginning at April 3, 2008 at 12:28 a.m. and continuing for the next 7 hours or so. No need to recap that for you.

Posted by LargeOrange on April 3, 2008 at 11:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As much fun as it is to chat with you fans that hate your own team, as weird as that is, I must sign off for a while, I have an early flight in the morning to FT. Ltdale for our Spring Break 10 day cruise. Needless to say, I doubt I will be going to the ship's internet cafe and paying $20 an hour to read the pearls of wisdom from these self hating naysayers. Have fun picking at your chosen favorite team. See ya'll in a couple of weeks. GO VOLS!

Posted by pdhuff on April 4, 2008 at 7 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Have a safe trip, Large Orange. Enjoy.

Posted by 99gator on April 4, 2008 at 7:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

the post at 6:48 was not to claim that tenn or fulmer has done well against florida....

but, rather, to show that beating florida since 1992 has not been fun for anyone. miss and miss state have decent w-l records against florida since that time but were spared from playing them every year.

you think fulmer has done poorly, talk to a georgia fan.

Posted by hglover40 on April 4, 2008 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You idiots and your negative post already F-ed up one years recruiting class and now it starts again. SHUT UP already. Coach Fulmer is and will be the coach until he is ready to leave. He is a great coach who loves his school.

You naysayers are a bunch of losers with no life.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 4, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

it's always a joke when you are wrong, LOL!!!!!!!!

hglover, if you want to be absurd and blame the negative criticism on last year's bad recruiting class than you need to give credit for motivating the team for rallying and getting fired up about the criticism to win the East. Funy, how well the team played after getting bashed all week.

Nobody has done well vs. Florida but other teams have at least held serve vs them. We've done less than that. Florida's hold over UGA isn't even explianable.

Posted by HomesickVol on April 4, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I live in Atlanta. Tony Barnhart is an a$$hole. All the sportswriters down here are. Go VOLS!!!!!!!!!

Posted by KyScGaFlAlAkMiTnLa on April 4, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

How can you be a 'true' Vol fan, but give them 'no chance'? You are more like a true idiot and I give you no chance of ever getting smarter.

To all you haters who want to win every game every season....HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA

Posted by KyScGaFlAlAkMiTnLa on April 4, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I went to 'the AJC' last year after we beat the Dawgs. Let me tell you, they would have hung Richt if they could have caught him. We TOTALLY EMBARRASSED the eventual #2 team. By the end of the year, he was the saviour. Don't worry about the wannabe posters calling for Fulmer's job. They should worry about their own...you know, spending more time on the sport's blogs than the Johnson account. Losers every one, that is why they need a winner so bad, because they can't be themselves!!

Posted by invisiblekid on April 4, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Despite all the hubris on here from both sides of the fence, the key point IMO to take away from this article as it relates to Fulmer is that he is here until he decides to leave barring unforeseen disaster. Personally, I would rather see him leave while going out on top and hitting 200 wins in about 4 years than being run out on a rail after a couple of more 5-6 nosedives. Truthfully, I think the reality of the situation will fall somewhere in the middle but only time will tell.

Posted by volboy81 on April 4, 2008 at 4:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

if you dont want Fulmer to succeed, youre not a Vol fan, so go post somewhere else. Theres plenty of choices!

Posted by jcvet on April 6, 2008 at 6:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah boy, that prime time opener against 6-6 Cal last yr. did wonders for national recruiting.