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Just when I thought I had Phillip Fulmer pegged, he surprised me.
Surely (I thought) Tennessee's football coach would trumpet the benefits of recruiting when discussing the schedule change a few days ago that moved the UCLA game to a wide-open Monday night football slot on ESPN to open the season.
I almost expected Fulmer's eyes to light up like the Rose Bowl on a warm, fall evening just discussing the recruiting possibilities.
After all, the Vols certainly gave up some competitive schedule advantages to move the game. No longer is there an early season primer that UAB once provided. And as for that open week before hosting the Gators, it's gone like Percy Harvin.
With such concessions, this had to be 100 percent, all about Fulmer's forte: recruiting.
"It's not just about recruiting," Fulmer said. "Our players are really excited about it."
Wait a minute. Who am I talking to? Who exactly is standing before me wearing Fulmer's clothes?
"Some of the preparation goes better when they know they have one of those kind of opportunities," this supposed Fulmer said of big-game openers. "The way the schedule ended up with this football team, I felt like we would gain an advantage by playing a real big game to really find out where we are."
Perhaps Fulmer, if that's who I am really interviewing, doesn't place the same value on recruiting California. Then the orange clad coach relented.
"It could make a difference," he said of the exposure a nationally televised game would bring. "We've always recruited guys out there. The last couple of years we haven't gotten any. We got them to visit but we didn't get them."
True. The well hasn't exactly been overflowing since the days of Casey Clausen, Kevin Burnett and Kevin Simon. In those days, UT not only recruited California, they cherry picked some of the top players in the state.
Those players, however, had more reason to come to UT than just the mountains and the Sunsphere. Immediate playing time, that's the key.
"Most of the time, if a guy's going to travel that far, they almost have to see themselves as a starter," said the person I'm beginning to believe actually is Fulmer. "Usually there's a reason."
Clausen and Burnett played as freshmen. Simon would have, had it not been for a serious knee injury shortly after his senior season.
Simon wanted to play early but he also wanted to be seen. Sounding more like Dick Ebersol than Dick Butkus, Simon said television contracts were a huge factor in his decision. Even growing up in California, he saw the SEC, thanks to games televised nationally on CBS and ESPN.
The same can't be said for a young prospect growing up in the Southeast searching of a Pac-10 contest.
There's also no comparison in Simon's eyes when it comes to recruiting. Would UT rather go against the Alabamas and Floridas of the region or the Pac-10? Aside from Southern Cal, UCLA and, maybe, Cal, just how daunting are those teams?
"I would recruit against those guys," Simon said of the Pac-10 wannabes.
Perhaps Southern Cal's success has limited UT's western influence. Even if that's the case, there are still plenty of prospects in California, more than enough for the schools that reside there.
Unquestionably, USC is the premier school in the Pac-10. Simon has strong respect for the school's recruiting tactics, having seen its recruiters first hand. Still, Simon maintains the Vols get more national exposure than the Trojans.
"They have a great program," Simon said, "but I only saw two or three of their games last year."
Which brings us back to the UT-UCLA game and the immeasurable amount of exposure that game will bring.
"If we go out to California and handle our business and do the things necessary to get a win," Simon said, "I see it being an attractive draw for California kids."
Head Man: Fulmer said he has no timetable in which to name a recruiting coordinator, the position vacated by assistant offensive line/tight ends coach Matt Luke when he went to Duke in January. As for now, UT's coaches are handling their individual territories.
Dave Hooker covers Tennessee football recruiting. He may be reached at hookerd@knoxnews.com.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by AlpharettaVol on April 12, 2008 at 6:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Doesn't Arian Foster rate a mention in a story like this?
Posted by TommyJack on April 12, 2008 at 6:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Never underestimate the allure of the Sunsphere! Good grief.
Posted by KnoxVol_in_TX on April 12, 2008 at 7:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good grief is right!!!
Posted by givehim6 on April 12, 2008 at 7:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope does appoint a real recruiting coach. right now i think he's wanting the coaches he has to pull double duty. recruiting should be a focus point, done by one person someone young men can respect and relate with.
Posted by dave1 on April 12, 2008 at 8:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
TJ, I bet you would be hard pressed to find a fritter in California. The tree huggers would not know what to do with them.
Posted by TommyJack on April 12, 2008 at 8:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dave: Good point. Don't even want to think about what they might do with one... :)
Posted by 1974Vol on April 12, 2008 at 9:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Went to LA for the 1989 game. UCLA was ranked 6th nationally, Vols had struggled to beat Colorado State in the Home Opener and after the '88 debacle (younger Vol fans think 2005) Vols were 15 point dogs. Sat with some UCLA fans and shared their Brie and Chardonay (no joke) while we spanked the Briuns 24-6. Have to say the UCLA faithful took that whipping way better than a home UT crowd would have under similar circumstances. A repeat performance would be sweet.
Posted by knoxsingle on April 12, 2008 at 10:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Can't KNS come up with a better article framework here than something emphasizing the journalist?
I'll bet that was an Adams suggestion.
Posted by DCSOvol on April 12, 2008 at 10:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Cant make a fritter without trans fats. Try finding trans fats in Cali.
Posted by nicksjuzunk on April 13, 2008 at 2:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
AlpharettaVol,
I agree, but I don't think Foster was very highly rated so he wouldn't really be in the same boat of the other guys even though he has produced here.
Posted by FishTacos on April 13, 2008 at 5:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Givin' me chills already. Go Vols!!
Posted by tngeoff on April 13, 2008 at 6:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
DCSOvol.
Trans fats in California? Funny story...Yes...San Diego is America's fittest city. However, when I lived there (2000 - 2004) the first Krispy Kreme ever to open in San Diego opebned and it was a MAJOR news story:
http://www.bizjournals.com/triad/stor...
The people were like crazed loons trying to get a Krsipy Kreme donut. It was a non-Tennessee related Krispy Kreme Kaper to be sure. I never saw (on the news since I could care less about Krispy Kreme) such insanity!
Anyway...although San Diego is America's fittest city...there are plenty of obese and morbidly obese as well:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/me...
Posted by tngeoff on April 13, 2008 at 7:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
TommyJack.
Plenty of ritters in Southern California! The tree huggers make the headlines...but the real people live their lives quietly! All the while...enjoying fritters!
2005! (pound the fritter)
Posted by tngeoff on April 13, 2008 at 7:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Correction: 5005!
Posted by pdhuff on April 13, 2008 at 7:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Philspeak is well, Philspeak.
Somehow fritters and tree huggers don't belong in the same scheme of things.
And the more I think about "our players are really excited about it"- "it" being traveling 2,000 miles with a new OC unveiling a new "look" vs Rick N and N Chow toting a 11th ranked "D" along!!! Someone, Bruin or Vol, is going to look like Ned in the First Reader.
I think I'll find some Killian Red on Augie 30. And then be amazed.
I hope..........
Posted by T0MMYJACK on April 13, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Man, we ALWAYS hear the exact same thing out of coach Fulmer. Just like we always hear the same thing out of the usual suspects.
Posted by T0MMYJACK on April 13, 2008 at 8:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hooker- just because Fulmer doesn't say "It's all about recruiting" doesn't mean that it's NOT all about recruiting.
Just as you not coming out and saying "I'm a fat, red-on-the-head, two-bit hack writer for a second-rate paper" doesn't mean that you aren't one.
Are you and Pennington the same guy?
Posted by johnlg00 on April 13, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, the article did come around to the view that, yeah, it is pretty much about recruiting. However, there may also be merit to the idea that a big-name opponent might help focus the team in pre-season practice.
BTW, what is Kevin Simon doing these days? He was a great Vol who could have been even greater if not for the injuries. I surely hope the trip out there helps recruiting; we sure could use a few like him and Burnett!
Posted by mparker on April 13, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
welllll, for a head coach, it usually HAS to be all about recruiting. That is one half of what makes his team go.
Recruiting is dictated by
-how cute and frisky your coeds are
-how cleverly your boosters pay the players
-how much TV time the kids get
-how many players go onto pro ball
-immediate playing time
-how cute and frisky your coeds still are
Okay, I mentioned one thing twice.....and I was a little facetious, but the reality is a head coach has to be on top of the recruiting game every single minute.
All I can say is....that it is sure nice to have a Jamal Lewes instead of a Jabari Davis, or an Al Wilson over a Ryan Karl.
Know who I wish was a young player coming into UT right now?? Condredge Holloway. Put THAT kid in a spread-style offense.
Posted by jack_2222 on April 13, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
USC, of course, has that recruiting advantage-- being able to offer free rent to players, having players with agents, players' families getting cars and houses. All without any penalties. Imagine if an SEC school did that stuff.
Posted by TommyJack on April 13, 2008 at 11:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
8:53pm Just like we hear the same crap out of the identity thief..you cowardly poser.
Posted by TommyJack on April 13, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You didn't include Nafslov...
Posted by DCSOvol on April 13, 2008 at 6:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Plus, we can introduce California kids to artery clogging, tri-glyceride level skyrocketing TN fritters. MMM MMM.
Posted by DCSOvol on April 13, 2008 at 6:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And USC's idea of a real fritter is the steak tempura at the local sushi palace.
Posted by General_Watermelon on April 13, 2008 at 7:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wrong Dave. Uncle Jed and Granny took fritters to LA many moons ago.
Posted by General_Watermelon on April 13, 2008 at 7:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The poser TOMMYJACK should be hung from a tree and beat with a stick.
Posted by TommyJack on April 13, 2008 at 7:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
GENERAL: EXACTLY
Posted by murrayvol on April 13, 2008 at 8:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
TJ: Remember imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Posted by bigtimevol on April 13, 2008 at 10:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Get Simon in the UT coach family. He's got intelligence and tenacity, and could really recruit the west.
Posted by TommyJack on April 13, 2008 at 10:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Murray: I guess so
Posted by givim6 on April 14, 2008 at 1:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey T(lowercase ommy)J(lowercase ack),
We know you are the real deal.
The imposter ain't got your ability to lay out the truth as it should be told. We've read your post too many times to not know a faker.
Posted by TommyJack on April 14, 2008 at 2:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
givim6: preciate it.
Posted by leedsvol2007 on April 14, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The article did not mention Donte Stallworth either who was the player of the year as a senior in California.
Posted by Brama on April 14, 2008 at 10:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Let's work on keeping our In-state kids & recruiting the Southeast where we get most of our players.
Posted by pdhuff on April 14, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Anyone have a "Free TDTN" bumper sticker or even a "Einstein Dupree Rules" one?
Posted by givim6 on April 14, 2008 at 11:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
pd:
I think its time to form a posse and either rescue or arrest ol TDTN, depending on where we find him.
Posted by orangebloodgmc on April 14, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why does KNS even allow someone to take someone else's log-in name? Isn't there any moderator here?
Posted by invisiblekid on April 14, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tommyjack, I think it's time to confront your problem of Dissociative Identity Disorder much like Herschel Walker has in his new book.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/footba...
As far as the article goes, I am going out on a limb by saying that they should go out to UCLA with the thoughts of winning the game. Winning the big, nationally televised games helps recruiting much more than losing.
Posted by TommyJack on April 14, 2008 at 1:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kid: I'm taking meds now.
Posted by pdhuff on April 14, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
invisk- 1:13- I too have had a bout of Dissociative Disorder, usually caused by my 4th Makers and water. However two more of the same caused it to totally go away along with any cares or worrys I had.
For 4-5 hours at least......
Posted by grvol on April 16, 2008 at 10:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hope he coaches better than he did in 1994 out there. That was the first game I came to realize Fulmer could not coach. It was absolutely pitiful. Musical chair QBs. Manning could not crap on a bed sheet, Stewart showed signs of being able to pull it down and run, finally letting Helton play and open it up after it was too late. Then later came the 31-0 a$$ whipping by FL at home after FL fans forced their way into Ole Charley's while UT fans did nothing hoping Vols would win the game. Humiliation I'll never forget.
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