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Hamilton: UT players must be accountable to selves, peers

By Drew Edwards (Contact)
Originally published 11:08 p.m., February 18, 2008
Updated 11:08 p.m., February 18, 2008

Vols' legal woes in 2008

JANUARY

11 - Knoxville police cited freshmen wide receivers Gerald Jones and Ahmad Paige for possession of marijuana following a traffic stop near campus while the two hosted a recruit from Oklahoma on his official visit. Freshman offensive lineman William Brimfield who was with Paige and Jones at the time was not charged by police, but was disciplined by Fulmer nonetheless.

21 - UT police arrested freshman tailback Daryl Vereen for public intoxication and underage consumption after responding to a call of a fight in progress outside Gibbs Hall, an on-campus residence hall located across the street from the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center.

26 - Knoxville police arrested junior All-SEC lineman Anthony Parker for disorderly conduct at an off-campus apartment complex.

FEBRUARY

2 - walk-on defensive back Vince Faison was arrested for DUI after UT police found the 27-year-old former professional baseball player passed out behind the wheel of his truck in the parking lot of an on-campus fast-food restaurant with the engine running and his foot on the brake pedal with the vehicle in gear.

13 - Fulmer dismissed sophomores Dorian Davis and Antonio Wardlow for an undisclosed violation of team rules. Both players had been arrested within the last 18 months.

17 - Knoxville police arrested Colquitt for DUI and leaving the scene of an accident, after the punter struck a parked car near the Old City, causing more than $400 in damages.

Whenever Mike Hamilton addresses Tennessee’s football team, he makes a point to remind players they represent more than themselves.

In Hamilton’s eyes — and those of Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer — each athlete in every sport represents a university, a city and a state.

“They’re representing not only the name on the back of the jersey, but more so the name on the front of the jersey, and that’s Tennessee,” Hamilton said Monday.

With six Tennessee football players charged by police since Jan. 11 and another three disciplined by Fulmer for off-the-field issues, the reflection hasn’t been pretty.

The charges include two for possession of marijuana, two DUI’s, public intoxication, underage consumption and disorderly conduct.

The offenders run the gamut, too, from freshmen who haven’t played a down to upperclassmen All-SEC performers.

All the charges rankle Fulmer.

“I’m not pleased with any of it,” Fulmer said Monday, a day after rising senior All-SEC punter Britton Colquitt was arrested and charged with DUI and leaving the scene of an accident. “I’m not pleased with the first or the last one. But on a daily basis, there’s a lot of young men that really please us every day, whether it be academically or socially or athletically or whatever. We’re blessed to be around some really, really quality young men. Occasionally, one of them is going to let you down.”

Lately, though, it’s been a regular occurrence.

In the eight weekends since Tennessee defeated Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1, five have seen a football player on the wrong side of the law.

Just last week Fulmer dismissed two players for an undisclosed violation of team rules.

Colquitt lost his scholarship and will miss UT’s first five games of the 2008 season after his fifth alcohol-related incident since arriving on campus in 2003.

And all this on the heels of a 10-win season in which Tennessee won the SEC East.

“I just was talking to some other coaches and particularly after a successful year, this seems to be something that pops up occasionally,” Fulmer said. “We’re working to get it completely managed. I think we’ve been pretty darn hard on them recently with the dismissals and everything. We’ve got to become one. We’ve got to put each other ahead of ourselves.”

Hamilton has been involved in the disciplinary process and signed off on each punishment before it was announced.

He supports Fulmer’s evaluation of each situation on an individual basis before doling out punishment.

“I want the coaches to discipline their own teams,” Hamilton said. “Discipline is to be painful and in doing so, the hope is that it will be painful enough to change behavior. That’s why different people require different kinds of discipline.”

But part of the process must be individual accountability as well, Hamilton said.

“It’s about winning games and all that kind of stuff, but it’s ultimately about education,” Hamilton said. “And a great part of that is falling down and getting back up. That’s one of the greatest athletic lessons there is. Personal responsibility is a key component in that, and also responsibility to those around you. … We’ve got to help them learn that responsibility, but it’s frustrating because you’re trying to teach those lessons and at this point that lesson has not been quite learned, apparently.”

On Monday, a group of seniors visited Fulmer’s office, embarrassed by the recent off-field troubles and seeking a solution.

According to Fulmer, those seniors suggested a team curfew for a “period of time” among other things.

“It is a process, and we made a big step in it today,” Fulmer said. “Our leadership took a step today.”

There’s plenty left to take, though, Fulmer says.

“I told them (the team) the other day, ‘We don’t have a team right now,’ ” he said. “We’ve got a group of individuals that are working to be a team. We’re not doing a good job right now because we’ve got too many people distracting us from that.

“That doesn’t mean we can’t get one as we work through it. It’s the same every year: You start fragmented and your leadership changes and your new leaders establish themselves.”

But eventually, Hamilton said, it boils down to individuals doing the right things for themselves, their teammates and the name on the front of the jersey.

“You can talk until you’re blue in the face. You can run kids until they’re blue in the face. You can suspend them from games until there are no more games left,” Hamilton said. “But at some point it has to come back to the concept of personal responsibility and responsibility to your peers.”

Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       61 Comments

Posted by KnoxVolian23 on February 18, 2008 at 11:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Turning it around!! Go Vols!

Posted by vtvol on February 18, 2008 at 11:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's good to see that some of the team's players have become sick of all of the sophomoric behavior exhibited by certain teammates. Perhaps some "Code Reds" are in order.

Posted by RocketVol on February 18, 2008 at 11:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey Mike and Phil, why don't you hold parents accountable and not recruit garbage citizens? When I applied to UT decades ago, it was about community service, grades, and being a model citizen. Ah yes, but the big money-maker changes all that doesn't it? Here's a tough one: if you go to the junk yard and try to tidy up the mess, do you know what it looks like the next morning?

Posted by ONUV on February 18, 2008 at 11:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"turning it around"

how often do we have to say that about UT football?

Posted by alfrizzle097 on February 18, 2008 at 11:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well said RocketVol. Think Adams wants to fire Mike Hamilton too?

Posted by JohnAdamsIsTrash on February 18, 2008 at 11:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Personal Accountability, what a concept. But I thought Phil was supposed to hold everybody's hand.

Another funny thing, it looks like there are several schools in the news for problems including LSU and Alabama. But I thought these types of things only happened here?

Posted by VolCane7979 on February 18, 2008 at 11:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That song is ok, but THIS ONE IS BETTER:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bpV5InLw52U

A classic. It looks like the keyboard player has been passing a bowl with the football team.

Posted by PLEASEGETRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE on February 18, 2008 at 11:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Props to the Vol seniors stepping up. Maybe the staff will now also. At least for a couple of weeks.

Posted by GerryOP on February 18, 2008 at 11:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OK men. Get those wagons into a circle. Quickly now. Everyone have plenty of shot and powder? Stand strong men. Don't let those varmints get us down. No one, I repeat no one gets inside the circle. Keep your heads down. Also, make sure all dirty laundry stays hidden.

Posted by snowvol on February 18, 2008 at 11:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Change starts one level above the seniors.

Posted by tngeoff on February 18, 2008 at 11:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

VolCane7979.

Dang...that was CRAZY!

GerryOP.

All wagons circled sir! INCOMING! Where's my rules of engagement chart! Dang it!

Posted by gary235 on February 18, 2008 at 11:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Has anyone at UT thought about taking the players names off of their jerseys? At least then they would look like they were playing for a team. Look at the lady vols. no names on their backs.. a pretty good example of a team.

Posted by JohnAdamsIsTrash on February 18, 2008 at 11:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Do you want a bunch of Nancy boys on the team so that we can take our lumps every year like Vanderbilt?

I have a confession. This past weekend I was at a buddy's apartment and I went outside and yelled and threw my arms in the air. It's funny though, I didn't get arrested. Guess I'm nobody.

Fire John Adams!!!

Posted by tngeoff on February 18, 2008 at 11:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GerryOP.

I called in some tactical support Sir!:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-o42vTQVxgY

Posted by XutGrad on February 18, 2008 at 11:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

THEY ARE SUEING THE BIG ORANGE ARMY. GIVE ME A BREAK! SUE YOUR FANS THATS GREAT!!GO VOLS GO

Posted by RocketVol on February 18, 2008 at 11:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tngeoff and volcane797, man, you guys just made me mess my best boxers. I was in such a foul mood til you guys. I can't stop rolling....thanks.

Posted by FWBVol on February 18, 2008 at 11:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

When I was growing up, discipline was handed down at school as well as at home. Now there's no discipline anywhere.

My dad had a double jeopardy mentality. If I got licks at school, I got licks at home too. Single mom homes where kids aren't don't have a male role model to teach them,

We have pro athletes doing illegal drugs and performance enhancing drugs. We need men that will teach and lead young men, not show them how to get into trouble. That they can figure out on their own.

Posted by tngeoff on February 18, 2008 at 11:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

RocketVol.

Thanks Bro'!

GerryOP.

The Vol Navy may at risk as well! I've called in support.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nY6nm-...

Posted by raynochonspeed on February 19, 2008 at 12:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

“They’re representing not only the name on the back of the jersey, but more so the name on the front of the jersey, and that’s Tennessee,” Hamilton said Monday.

Mike, there is no name on the front of the football jersey. If you're gonig to use a cliche, make sure it fits.

Posted by VOLinDAWGland on February 19, 2008 at 6:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

FWBVol...I was under the same rules as well. No questions asked, Dad assumed that if the teacher saw fit to discipline me which in elementary school included a large paddle to the rear end that I obviously deserved it and would get like treatment at home. Although he did not say it explicitly, it was understood that I was not to bring dishonor on our family and family name. Honor, responsibility, loyalty have been de-emphasized in the last 30-40 years and replaced with concepts such as fairness, rights, feelings...in other words selfishness, self centererdness, entitlement without a proper sense of duty/responsibility.

Posted by VOLinDAWGland on February 19, 2008 at 6:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It is very hard to enforce a curfew or keep vigilence when these players are spread out all over the campus. These players are high profile and their misconduct will get published where as similar misconduct by others goes unnoticed. Fair or not, that is the reality. Given that, even if you can't have a specific athletic dorm, could you not at least reserve parts of specific living spaces for athletes that are close together? You could also make a rule that no underclassmen be allowed to live off campus and that any rule violator loses their privilage to live off campus. I'd also prohibit any freshmen from having a car on campus. There first year should be school and football focused PERIOD.

Posted by pdhuff on February 19, 2008 at 6:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Phil has some experience in turning it around. However, 360* takes you right back to where you started.

At least Hamilton gave his generic statement. Haslam or Thornton must have called. What's next?

Great times on the Hill. Pearl at # 2, Pat at # 3- Phil at the bail bondsmen - life goes on while staying the course. Got to get better. Beat Auburn.

Posted by vol4good on February 19, 2008 at 7:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If Tn has 85 players and 9 have been arrested, isnt that more than 10 percent of the team. Fulmer says that occasionally one of our athletes disapoints us, huh!! Sorry sir, but 10 percent of your players being arrested or dismissed in, what about a Month, is Bull crap!

Posted by pdhuff on February 19, 2008 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

GerryOP 11:00 pm-Wagons are circled as ordered. F Troop is ready, errr... one little problem. Dirty laundry is piled so high that the Sioux can see it from 8 miles away. And the odor is, well ...whew!!

Are you sure this area, Little Big Horn, is the best we could do?

Posted by imjustafan on February 19, 2008 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think that Colquitt should have been kicked off the team. He was a started so he gets a 5th or 6th chance! That's crazy! From now on I think you should get kicked off the team if you screw up! Everyone else has been your chance not to mess up...GO VOLS!

Posted by gobigo00 on February 19, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

KnoxVolian: "Turning it around's" a**! Pretty sad when a child has to ask the father for discipline. Like the team asked Fulmer for curfew. Hamilton said, "You can suspend them from games until there are no more games left". Well why don't you or Fulmer try it and see if it works! I know kids are stupid and they are going to screw up. But it's a coaches job to set discipline standards where it's not the coaches fault for being to lax on these children. Next year is going to be ugly come time to play. I predict it will be another 4 to 6 years before we are even looking at competing for an SEC championship after all this mess! At least their's basketball.

Posted by stroker on February 19, 2008 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

JohnAdamsMustGo, FWBVol, imjustafan, right on.

Posted by UTFutBalPhan on February 19, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I respect what Fulmer has done at UT, and appreciate his loyal service. I believe he has the tools and ability to coach for a long time at the current level, and that when we take a look around, UT fans are some of the most fortunate in the nation with the wins we get in the conference we're in. But...

Given all the off-field problems, the coaching changes, sub-par recruiting class, and on-field mediocrity in current years...does anyone else think that a national championship in men's basketball before even an SEC football championship, might be the nail in the coffin for Phil?

After all, if you and your team aren't the best team on campus, how can you be the best team off it?

Posted by tigervol9802 on February 19, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If anyone has ever done any study, research, or reading whatsoever on organization success and leaderhsip, then you know that it starts at the top. It doesn't matter if it is a Fortune 500 company or a Little League baseball team. You will achieve what is set before you from the top.

I just think Fulmer has most importantly has lost the respect of his players. Punishments don't mean much. Yes, there are a lot of former players who stand beside him....but there are also a lot who don't care for him either that choose to remain quiet.

It's time for a change.

Posted by GerryOP on February 19, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Cool flicks tngeoff. Reminds me of the old days, and not all of them were good.

pdhuff, I understand that little white sweaters with the big orange T emplazoned across the front are on sale at the $1 Store. Also, the UT football coaching staff did not show up at the KK this morning. Is something going on?

Posted by rkastens on February 19, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hamilton sais, "it has to come back to the concept of personal responsibility and responsibility to your peers." And when a person has shown no personal responsibility for the fifth time, something has got to give. The Colquitt family is very close to TN football and Britton is a very good punter, but this is the fifth time. This is crazy! How this was handled by Fulmer (and Hamilton who signed off on it) looks bad. I know he lost a scholarship (no big deal to the Colquitt family financially) and was suspended for 5 games, but if someone's last name was not Colquitt and he wasn't an all-american candidate, it sure seems like he would be kicked off the team for a 5th alcohol related offense. Maybe there is more to it than we know on the outside, but how it was handled looks horrible and embarassing.

Posted by pdhuff on February 19, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

GerryOP 9:50 am - Don't overbuy the little "T" sweaters, because some lemmings didn't find the cliff on their last run, they wound up in Fort Sanders. They will be needed by Oct.

Posted by GoVol on February 19, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Fulmer says "I'm not pleased with any of it". Come on Fulmer get mad and show some passion and quit all of these politically correct quotes. How about saying 'I'm pissed and I'm going to put an end to it now. Anyone not on board better clean out their lockers now. This type of behavior will not be tolerated. I'm in charge, I'm responsible, and it will end now. Period'

Grow some coach. Get pissed and get tough. Surely even Fulmer has enough piss & vinegar in him for 2 more years?

Posted by threehundredbowler on February 19, 2008 at noon (Suggest removal)

snowvol,changes start from the cradle.When the government of this land says you can not spank a child without being charged with child abuse or mental abuse then you can,t expect anything else.This country needs to get back to where parents actually instill the fear of parents and God into children.I am all for freedom of choice but not when freedom of choice makes drunks and criminals out of our youth.It is not easy to be a God fearing,law abiding citizen in this day and time.Too much glamorization with drugs,alcohol,and sex.Get God back in the home and schools and we will see improvements in our youth.

Posted by DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu on February 19, 2008 at 12:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What a bunch of horse manure. Note to Hamilton and Fulmer: YOUR POLICY, SPEECHES AND PRONOUNCEMENTS AIN'T WORKING.

If I were Coach Fulmer, I'd announce a new "second chance is last chance" policy for the entire team:

Screw up and the entire team pays. But everyone gets a second chance. Nobody gets a third, or a fourth, or a fifth, etc.

Arrested and charged? The entire team is punished BUT the offender gets a second chance. Arrested after that? Off the team.

Test positive for drugs? The entire team is punished BUT the offender gets a second chance. Test positive again? Off the team.

Screw up academically? The entire team is punished BUT the offender gets a second chance. Screw up again? Off the team.

Think they'd become a "team" again, Coach Fulmer? Think peer pressure would come into play?

Posted by pdhuff on February 19, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mbumburu 12:51 I agree "Lip Service" isn't cutting it. Message has not been heard by all on this squad but it has been trumpeted across all the athletic sites I've seen. These flare-ups will continue to kill recruiting.

Even saw a AJC Ga blog on TE prospect going to Clemson and toward the end the question was "What's happened to Fulmer"?

Has the horse already left the barn?

Posted by BigVolinCarolina on February 19, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have 2 questions for Mike Hamilton:

1. Do our jerseys have "Tennessee" on the front? I grew up in Maryville & went to UT for undergrad--never once have I seen our name on the front of our football jerseys. (Basketball, on the other hand, is a different matter).

2. We know that the players are accountable to themselves, their peers and coaches. But, who are the coaches accountable to?

Posted by arkyvol on February 19, 2008 at 2:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i quit being impressed with hamilton when he trivialized one of my alma mater's most sacred traditions. before his tenure, the only athletic numbers retired were those worn by players who went on to give the last full measure of devotion for their country and their school. call me old fashioned, but i appreciate the difference between sacrifice and entertainment. hamilton obviously doesn't. to him, this onslaught of thuggery is probably no more than a p.r. problem.

Posted by TurboFan on February 19, 2008 at 3:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The charges include two for possession of marijuana, two DUI’s, public intoxication, underage consumption and disorderly conduct.

Which one is the "onslaught of thuggery", Arky? BTW, the "disorderly conduct" was Parker waving his arms and yelling in a parking lot.

Posted by Colliervol on February 19, 2008 at 5:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, when I saw the initial article, I had hoped that Hamilton was stepping in with some changes in policy. After reading the article, I was sorely disappointed.

"We’ve got to help them learn that responsibility, but it’s frustrating because you’re trying to teach those lessons and at this point that lesson has not been quite learned, apparently.”

Here's a clue Mike. The lesson hasn't been learned because the policies and punishments are weak and they aren't paying attention to you or Phil. Maybe the seniors can get their attention because it's obvious they aren't scared of the administration.

Posted by budd on February 19, 2008 at 5:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mr. Hamilton,
You have a responsiblity to the fans of UT to make sure that everyone who represents the University understands CLEARLY that they will suffer the consequences of a failure to represnt us well. Obviously your football coach doesn't get the point. I strongly suggest you make sure he starts getting it. Remember it is a lot easier to replace an AD than a coach.

Posted by General_Watermelon on February 19, 2008 at 5:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

VolCane7979 - you are a rock God Sir. That was one of my favorite songs of all time. Rock on!

Posted by jasvol on February 19, 2008 at 5:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Accountable: what does that mean? Is that a new play?

Posted by weisgarber2003 on February 19, 2008 at 6:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hamilton is a bonafide "dork." Wonder which spaceship he flew in on.

Posted by grvol on February 19, 2008 at 6:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Name on front of the jersey? This Hamilton guy is completely out of touch with football. Speaks volumes.

Posted by pearlman on February 19, 2008 at 9:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

At this point, when our QB calls a play and then yells "last call", all of our players will make a bee line to the beer keg next to the Gaterade. Kick them off as soon as they screw up the 3rd time and then we can make that 360 with the hard working farm boys.

Posted by weisgarber2003 on February 20, 2008 at 12:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"Name on front of the jersey? This Hamilton guy is completely out of touch with football. Speaks volumes."

Hamilton suffers from A.D. Alzheimers.

Posted by pdhuff on February 20, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

weisgarber 12:20 a.m. -Did you notice "players have responsibility" tone? Of course they do. But what is Hamilton's responsibility that pays him the big bucks?

Apparently he's applying some of Phil's teflon. Don't blame him. I'd be walking around with a combo Pearl/Summit tee on, whistling.

Alfred E. Neuman - What me ........

Posted by DSaVol on February 20, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Perhaps if the head coach ever took responsibility for anything it would rub off on his players. Remember "The Perfect Storm", the "magic dust" and all of his other ridiculous excuses for the absolute and unquestionable decline of this program? It starts at the top. Change the leadership and the behaviour will quickly follow.

Posted by weisgarber2003 on February 20, 2008 at 6:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

" -Did you notice "players have responsibility" tone? Of course they do. But what is Hamilton's responsibility that pays him the big bucks?

Apparently he's applying some of Phil's teflon. Don't blame him. I'd be walking around with a combo Pearl/Summit tee on, whistling."

I agree totally.

Posted by posivol on February 20, 2008 at 7:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

this rag is nothing more than a piece of crap---hope you knoxville fellows can get a grip on this and boycot or just run out of buisness,,,this paper has an agenda to destroy our vols.

Posted by utmdm on February 20, 2008 at 11:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

threehundred noon post Amen Brother preach on. Maybe some day the nation will wake up and reach back to its sanity and greatness.

Posted by utmdm on February 20, 2008 at 11:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PD, Reckin Hamilton's teflon coat is him relying on riding his "success" with the Pearl hire.

Posted by pdhuff on February 21, 2008 at 7:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

utmdm 11:48 p.m. -Teflon is in at UTAD. Doug Matthews (old Vol Coach) said on 104.5 the Zone with Tony Barnhardt that it is a BAD sign when an AD starts commenting on football matters as to team issues. Like this article. Beware any vote of confidence!

Stirrings in the chalets and penthouses Biddle (Tennessean) says "National embarrassment". Gird your loins and on thru the doldrums we go.

Get your charts up to date.

Posted by utmdm on February 23, 2008 at 7:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ha! Bummers are talking about winning at all costs. HA HA HA

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