Posted by tngeoff on January 3, 2008 at 6:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As a position coach? WHY NOT? His record in motivating young men to maximum performance speaks for itself. Bring him on!

Posted by tlc3wp on January 3, 2008 at 6:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

man can coach,no doubt. he has paid his dues in the highschool ranks and loves tenn. why not give hima chance as quarterback coach. his players love him and 60 game winning streak tells me a lot about his preparation and the drive he installs in his players. go ahead coach gibve him a shot before somebody else does and will, believe me and soon.

Posted by tlc3wp on January 3, 2008 at 6:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

man can coach,no doubt. he has paid his dues in the highschool ranks and loves tenn. why not give hima chance as quarterback coach. his players love him and 60 game winning streak tells me a lot about his preparation and the drive he installs in his players. go ahead coach gibve him a shot before somebody else does and will, believe me and soon.

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

Lets get him along with Pryor.

Posted by Hunter on January 3, 2008 at 6:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This should be a NO-BRAINER for Fulmer. George Quarles deserves to be national coach of the year. Others take very talented groups and win a state title or two in a row. Quarles takes average suburban kids and wins seven in eight. I would go so far as to suggest he could be the OC, but if he'll take a position coach job, it should already be a done deal. He might even be able to get Pryor re-engaged with UT.....

Posted by JETnTN on January 3, 2008 at 6:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The job he has done with not having 5 star recruits if totally about coaching. Obviously he is a huge motivator and kids love playing for him. And 7 state titles out of the past 8 yrs.....the man can coach.... GIVE HIM A SHOT...hmmm you think someone like that could recruit??????? TRY HIM!!!!

Posted by asleep on January 3, 2008 at 6:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't know why the perception persists that HS coaches can only coach high school athletes. Is the game fundamentally different? No. It's always about coaching your athletes, at whatever level they are, to execute the fundamentals of the game. High school, college, NFL - it's no different. Are the motivational techniques different? Sure, but as a position coach your job would be much more about coaching and much less about motivation, disciplinary issues, politics of the athletic dept., etc... I say the guy has a great record and a proven winner, so at least give him a look. Go Vols!!!

Posted by glockjockey on January 3, 2008 at 6:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Give him a shot.

Posted by bshell12 on January 3, 2008 at 6:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

make him QB coach and be done with that position

Posted by jobrando on January 3, 2008 at 6:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Makes 2 much sense to hire him

Posted by cdldoc on January 3, 2008 at 6:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Go for it. I bet he likes krispy Creme.

Posted by IceVol on January 3, 2008 at 6:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Would this be unprecedented if he did hire him? Surely high school coaches make the jump to position coaches occasionally. Although to a big name school I may doubt it.

Posted by cookvol1 on January 3, 2008 at 7:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gus Malzahn went from High School to Arkansas last year as O/C and then to Tulsa this past year,so it has been done.Cutcliffe was a high school coach in Alabumble,so I say give him a chance

Posted by Plasticman on January 3, 2008 at 7:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

IceVol, Arkansas hired Gus Malzonne as their OC a few years back. He has since moved on to another school (not sure where) since the fallout with Nutt and Springdale players occurred. I say hire Quarles immediately. I agree with the post by asleep, the guy is a winner and could coach at any level.

Posted by BigOrangeVol29 on January 3, 2008 at 7:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Please, please, please Fulmer you have a quality coach in your backyard that knows how to win. You can't put a price on winners, and that's what Quarles is through and through. Bring him in now.

Posted by maholt49 on January 3, 2008 at 7:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Don't know the man, but I'm guessing he knows as much or more football than a lot of the coaches that are in the SEC. If I'm not wrong Bama has an OC that is only 24 or 25 years old. By being a QB at a "Big Name School" and by knowing the right people to put his name out there he got his chance. Maybe it would be a stretch for Quarles to be considered for OC, but with his overall knowledge of football why not give him a chance to share that knowledge with our VOLS!!

Posted by creepykev on January 3, 2008 at 7:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That's funny me and a guy at work were just talking about Quarles coaching at TN.

Posted by pdhuff on January 3, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This would be way too logical to hire Quarles. We need to stick to tried and true "family".

Quarles would not be staying the course.

Posted by bloodrunsorange on January 3, 2008 at 7:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If Quarles comes, Pryor comes. No questions asked. Done deal.

Posted by ssukonic on January 3, 2008 at 7:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Some of you guys who live in Knoxville, give us some info on Quarles. How old is he. Has he coached anywhere other than Maryville? Wonder what type of recruiter he'd be. Anyone know a bit more about him?

Posted by ctownvol on January 3, 2008 at 7:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm down here in Atlanta. Give me some 411 on this guy. He's a Knoxville area hs coach?

Posted by tngeoff on January 3, 2008 at 7:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ssukonic,

Here is some info about Coach Quarles. That was 2005 and he's only done more since.

http://www.titansonline.com/news/com_...

Posted by Pullingguard on January 3, 2008 at 7:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My take... If he could impress and bring Tryelle
Pryor to Vols, then give the man a job...

Posted by VolnFlorida on January 3, 2008 at 7:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Someone give us the low down on this guy. If he is over 60, is it worth it? Maryville has been a powerhouse for the past 30 years. I remember playing against them in 1975 and they had like a 30 game winning streak then. Did he acquire a great situation and is riding a wave? Seven titles in eight years is unbelievable. If Fulmer sees him as a threat and an east Tennessee favorite, he might view that as a threat to his job.

Posted by VolnFlorida on January 3, 2008 at 7:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I did not see your post tngeoff until after mine.
Thanks for the site. This guy sounds too good to be true. Sounds like UT needs to give him a shot.

Posted by tngeoff on January 3, 2008 at 7:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

VolnFlorida.

See my post above to ssukonic.

By the way, I am close to your age (a couple years older) and lived in Maryville when I was young. Robert Calloway and Weldon Baird were my best friends. Do you know them?

Posted by TurboFan on January 3, 2008 at 7:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

maholt, Major Applewhite is the OC at Bama and I believe he is 29.

Don't know much about Quarles but do remember the HS coach of Oak Ridge back in the 70's early 80's that won back to back championships and always had teams in the playoffs then went to Austin Peay as HC and could do no better than 6-5. He had the classic motivator, excitment type personality that didn't translate to college. (plus he had really cute daughters)

Posted by scott92699 on January 3, 2008 at 7:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Does anybody know what kind offense Maryville runs? Hire this guy NOW!!

Posted by VolnFlorida on January 3, 2008 at 7:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No. I played on a middle Tennessee team that went up to Maryville when they had not been beaten for almost two years. They were a good football. You are lucky. Maryville is a beautiful place. I would pick it over any city in Florida. It's a small world.

Posted by dfreeman on January 3, 2008 at 8:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey everyone, 12times has apparently removed his name from this website!! that spineless piece was afraid someone would find out who he was!!!

Posted by ssukonic on January 3, 2008 at 8:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bloodrunsorange: Where, in the recesses of your mind, could you possibly come up with a possibility that if Quarles, a highschool football coach from Maryville's hiring would cause, at this point, a 5* highschool qb from PA to come to Tennessee. Your tongue has to be firmly planted in your cheek.

Posted by philfan on January 3, 2008 at 8:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It would be a bad idea to hire a high school coach to coach at a powerhouse school like the Tennessee Volunteers. I believe Notre Dame hired a high school coach a few years ago to be the head coach (cannot remember his name) but it was a disaster and he was fired a few years later. I can just hear an Alabama recruiter telling a prospect: 'Don't go to Tennessee. They can't find quality coaches anymore, so they have to get high school coaches. You need a coach with experience in the college or professional ranks.' Sorry, I am not being sarcastic, but some recruiters will use any tactic to get a high quality student to attend their university.

Posted by FLVol on January 3, 2008 at 8:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He is a young guy upper 30's low 40's tops. Would be a great addition and is young enough to possibly take over for Fulmer once he is ready to ride off into the sunset. How about making he and Troop co-offensive coordinators with play calling going to Troop.

Posted by tngeoff on January 3, 2008 at 8:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dfreeman,

How did 12TIMES get himself removed so completely? Even his older posts are gone.

Posted by james on January 3, 2008 at 8:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The guy evidently can coach. If he is presently coaching Pryor, name him quick to some position and maybe Pryor will re-consider.

Posted by wingoption76 on January 3, 2008 at 8:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I can tell you Quarles would be a very good addition to the staff. If your looking for innovation he's your man. He's lost maybe 10 games since 1998, (5 of which where in one year, they still one the state championship that year). Quarles was an outstanding wide receiver at Furman and held many records there for years. Granted high school, college, and professional are all very differnet variations of football, but Quarles has produced enough D1 talent that he shouldnt have any problem with the college game and motivating players. A very personable guy.

Posted by jobrando on January 3, 2008 at 8:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He played football at Furman in the late 80's. So that would make him early 50's

Posted by wingoption76 on January 3, 2008 at 8:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No he is early 40's

Posted by vol52 on January 3, 2008 at 8:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Phil needs all the help he can get. With TT gone we don't have anyone who can relate to the incoming kids. I say give him a chance. We have had worse.

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on January 3, 2008 at 8:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I went to Maryville High School circa late 80's-graduated 1991. Gosh, I can't remember the head coach's name at the time. I remember a Coach Storie/Story...gosh was that the HC's name back in the 80's?

Anyway, point is that Maryville High School has always had a GOOD football program and has many, many state titles. Part of the reason, IMHO, is that Maryville has (or at least used to have) a tuition program for kids who don't live in the school district to attend. A lot of kids from wealthier families who lived out in the county would attend MHS rather than Blount County Schools to be at a better school. Also, Maryville is one of the fastest growing mid-sized towns in the country and has a GREAT tax base. Maryville High, IM(biased)HO is one of the best public high schools in the SOUTHEAST, let alone the state.

So why wouldn't parents of athletic kids, living in the Knoxville area, make arrangements to send their kids to school there if they could afford it?

Not to take anything from Quarles, but it really isn't like he has had to work very hard. I think Maryville's academic reputation is it's best recruiter.

Posted by nicksjuzunk on January 3, 2008 at 8:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am not against the hire. He obviously can coach. I know Maryville has dominated since I played in the late 90's (they dominated us too.) But is Maryville known for putting out top notch QB's?

They may be. I am completely out of the circle but everyone is saying QB coach. Is that a good hire or just a good coach?

creepykev,

I was thinking the same thing.

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on January 3, 2008 at 8:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He played football at Furman in the late 80's. So that would make him early 50's

Heck, some kinda way that doesn't add up. I went to high school in the late 80's and I'm only thirty-five.

Posted by IPOrange on January 3, 2008 at 8:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There must be something in the drinking water in Maryville. They've been kicking butt for years. Do we recruit that area?

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on January 3, 2008 at 8:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey, Remember a Dallas Cowboy named Danny Spradlin? He went to MHS a few years before I did. Still remember seeing him around town and at church growing up.

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on January 3, 2008 at 8:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

http://www.databasefootball.com/playe...

Posted by DenverVol on January 3, 2008 at 8:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I've been out west too long to know who this guy is, but I'm sold based on all the positive posts about him. Usually you guys are more negative than you are positive. Not this time. Hire this man!

Posted by imnotwithphil on January 3, 2008 at 8:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have to tell ya... I'm not real big on "home cooking" for filling these coaching vacancies... but if there's one guy in East Tennessee that deserves a shot... especially as a position coach... it is George Quarles... if nothing else, the man's work ethic might rub off...

Posted by bullfrog07 on January 3, 2008 at 8:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Fulmer is an idiot if he don't get Quarles - I don't care what level you coach at with his record the guy can obvoiusly coach. Fulmer has no balls and that is what I hate most about him, he is so afraid to do anything out of the ordinary. I despise that about him. The guy can coach much better than Fulmer I promise you or anyone on the staff currently for that matter. He could coordinate an offense just as good as anyone Phil will bring in. Fulmer I say your an idoit if you don't give GQ a chance. Charlie Weiss coached in high school before he went to the NFL - he turned out ok so why wouldn't GQ.

Fulmer its ok to do something out of the ordinary, you idoit. Fulmer wouldn't have as good as record at MHS if he were there I bet. No where near it.

Posted by skyhawk836 on January 3, 2008 at 8:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I assume being an "idoit" is a bad thing.

Couldn't help it. He did it twice.

Posted by VOLS85 on January 3, 2008 at 8:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Funny, call your coach an idiot and spell it "idoit".

That same idiot has the highest winning percentage of any active coach in college football and has a national championship to his name. What do you have?

I think someone needs to look in the mirror in the morning and question his thoughts, and it's not "idoit" Phil.

That same idiot has the highest winning percentage of any active coach in college football

Posted by skyhawk836 on January 3, 2008 at 8:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As to having no balls or trying things out of the ordinary, I wish he hadn't tried to hand a ball off between a guy's legs or take a QB out and kill a drive.

Plain, old ordinary would have suited me fine.

Posted by TommyJack on January 3, 2008 at 9:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Geoff: Where do you find that stuff re old posts, etc?

Posted by fryed004 on January 3, 2008 at 9:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WD40...that was Emory Hale and yes, he did have cute daughters, cheerleaders I believe. I was ORHS class of 81.

GO VOLS

Posted by invisiblekid on January 3, 2008 at 9:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

IceVol, see Gus Malzahn as an example of the jump from HS to big time college football at Arkansas. It was a package deal with Mitch Mustain, one of the best HS QB's in the nation at the time. It didn't work out too well but that had as much to do with Nutt and Malzahn not meshing in their ideas as Malzahn not having the talent to get it done. He had the number one offense in the country at Tulsa this year.

If there is a guy around East TN that could make that type of jump, it would be Quarles. However, Fulmer is trying to cement his legacy with the Vols and I seriously doubt he will take that type of chance. A look at the names being thrown around makes that pretty obvious IMO.

Posted by DadwasaVol on January 3, 2008 at 9:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Maryville should be part of the whole scenario being searched.

Posted by TommyJack on January 3, 2008 at 9:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dadwas: Good one.

Posted by BigOrangeDave on January 3, 2008 at 9:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think Fulmer would love to hire Quarles, but he's afraid Coach Quarles would try to intermix Richie Kreme donuts into his Krispy Kreme world.

Posted by BigO1 on January 3, 2008 at 9:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Quarles does a great job at Maryville, there is no doubt. But last time I checked, Maryville wasn't lighting up the scoreboard against the likes of Florida, LSU, and Georgia defenses. I don't think it makes any sense for Coach Fulmer to lose a QB coach with the track record of Cutcliffe (Manning, Tee) and go with a high school football coach. If Quarles truly wants to join the college ranks, accept a graduate assistant role for a year or two to be around the college game, and then work his way up.

invisiblekid is absolutely right on about Malzahn. He was hired to bring in Mustain and then Nutt wouldn't let him design the offense, call the plays, or use his choice of personnel. A lot of people bad mouth Coach Fulmer, but he wouldn't hire a coach for one player. That shows utter disrespect for the rest of the team, because that man probably isn't the most qualified for the job.

Posted by VolnFlorida on January 3, 2008 at 9:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe Maryville High School would be a great venue for another season of Varsity, Inc. on ESPN.
I cannot see what you would have to lose bringing him on board with a three year contract.

Posted by tngeoff on January 3, 2008 at 9:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Not at all unprecedented:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?s...

http://www.cornellcollege.edu/athleti...

http://www.virginiasports.com/ViewArt...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Brown

And others.

Thunder

Posted by TommyJack on January 3, 2008 at 9:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BigOrangeDave: That's totally disrespectful. You loser/hater. A dozen glazed to go, please.

Posted by dfreeman on January 3, 2008 at 9:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TNgeoff - I think he figured out there was a way people could see who he was!! I really want to know who he is!! I am in Gatlinburg sometimes, and I know tons of people up there.

Posted by TommyJack on January 3, 2008 at 9:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Remember Gerry Faust...

Posted by 02champs on January 3, 2008 at 9:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

yawn...Trooper is STILL the man............

Posted by andy112382 on January 3, 2008 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Calvin Magee: http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?...

WVU offensive coordinator....check out his bio on there, how do ya'll think he sounds?

Posted by 02champs on January 3, 2008 at 9:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

like I said 2 weeks ago...Trooper is the man..

Posted by arkanvol on January 3, 2008 at 9:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I lived in Maryville from 1998 until this past summer and was a MHS football season ticket holder. I was there when Coach Quarles became the head coach, and the Rebels lost their first 5 games before winning out and capturing the state championship. Maryville has always had a good program, but the team's success since George Quarles became coach is TN high school football legend. Coach Quarles is a highly sought after "commodity" in the southeast. Having watched and played alot of football (I'm a UT season ticket holder as well), I can tell you the program is excellent. It starts with kids playing football at a very early age - 5 or 6. The youth programs by and large run the same offense as MHS, and the kids dream about playing for the Rebels. It's a system that is very effective and executed in a nearly flawless fashion. Good athletes, but they don't out athlete most of the teams they beat. Tution students are not a factor as there is no longer room for them at the school. They also have an experienced and dedicated coaching staff, including a number of assistants who choose to help without compensation just to be around the program.

On a personal note. I know George Quarles, and he is an outstanding leader of young men. A fine young (under 40) Christian gentleman. George is also in my opinion a brilliant coach. Many times in recent weeks, my wife and I have discussed the possibility of Coach Quarles as a position coach at UT. He played at Jefferson County and Furman. He ws an assistant at MHS before becoming the head coach in 1999. Coach Fulmer would be doing very well to offer George Quarles a paid position on his staff.

Posted by mbradshaw1 on January 3, 2008 at 9:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Pryor goes to Michigan. He will start now that they will need a spread offense QB.

Posted by pmidude56 on January 3, 2008 at 9:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

George Quarles is one of the top high school coaches in the country and he WILL find a college job if that is what he wants to do. He gets more out of less than anybody I've ever seen. His players typically are not big, athletic kids but they play 110% all of the time. They play with heart. They do that because they love their coach and want to play their best for him. I'm honestly surprised he hasn't made the jump to a small college as an OC before now but then he's kind of like Pete Carroll at USC...has a football dynasty going and simply reloads every year instead of rebuilds. Makes good money (he's also AD) and plays a little golf on the side. Not a bad deal.

Posted by flVol60 on January 3, 2008 at 10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey do you all remember that coach Fulmer hired Rodney Gradner and Trooper Taylor as position coaches and recruters. Many of you loved them. I may disagree with coach Fulmer's X's and O's but he knows talent in players and coachs and can close the deal! Ever thought this is Quarle's way of saying I really want a shot!

Posted by Rebelsfball2008 on January 3, 2008 at 10:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GQ is a great coach...but the one thing that seperates his team from other programs..is one thing..he runs a tight ship..u think Cutt was a stifler..u aint seen nothing yet......the kids over there @ Marvul run the practices themselves... which is sayin something considering these kids are only 15,16,17 yrs. old Disipline is one of the many things that GQ brings but in my opinion one of if not the most important....his teams may not have the most speed or the most talent..but they rarely shoot themselves in the foot...( which for those of us who havent noticed Tennesse has a BAD habit of doing that when it hurts the most...)im not saying he is the clear cut answer to all of tennessee's problems but it would be a nice change of pace and a good move for UT to add a slightly more diciplined coach than what they are acustomed to( i promise there would be a downard spiral in ppl being kicked off the team for drug / grades or diciplinary issues...) he has a proven method of coaching success and @ the very least begin recruiting talent in and around tennessee.. because i promise that you couldnt go 600 miles and mention marvul w/o SOMEONE knowing who they are.....

and it is my personal opinion that UT lets Far too much local talent slip through its own back yard...we may get a few good ones but many opt out to go to other schools because they know that UT dont treat the homegrown boys right...(*cough* Branden Warren) if UT would have recruited him like every other 5 star prospect then he wouldnt b in the situation he is right now..im not saying that anyone who makes the highlight reel of Friday Night Hits should be offered a scholarship but @ least give a hard honest look @ ppl that could be a legitimate player.....

just my thoughts..

o and Calvin is going to Mich. to follow Rich ..i was thinking that last night...but then it hit me..o thats right...it's too far out of the box for UT...if it cant use a dropback passer then we dont want it..lol

Posted by bugman on January 3, 2008 at 10:21 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by KingsportVol on January 3, 2008 at 10:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Why not hire Shawn Graham.He is a top ranked middle school coach in Bristol Tn.He and Fulmer are on the same level.Shawn loves the Gators and Phil don't mind losing to them.Perfect match.Graham is a real fireball.Would bring alot of excitement to Knox Vegas.Go Big Orange!!

Posted by TurboFan on January 3, 2008 at 10:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

fryed004, I know, class of 82, graduated with Angie, had a crush on her from elementary school.

Has there ever been a case of someone saying publicly they are interested in a coaching job and them actually getting it? Quarles saying that almost cinches it that he won't be hired.

Posted by ut1984 on January 3, 2008 at 11:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"George Quarles is the best coach in the state of Tennessee." I heard that said by Ted Wilson at the Class 4A championship a few years ago. That, to me, was the ultimate compliment considering Ted Wilson is a legend in his own right and won three state titles at Maryville in the 1970's. Quarles offense is a split-back offense that throws the ball all over the field. If the game is going to come down to coaching, he wins. Every time. The last loss MHS suffered was in the state semi-finals at Morristown West. The game was played the day after it was scheduled to be played in absolutely frigid weather. I have heard from people close to the program that the staff at MHS believed that they would have won had the game been played when it was scheduled. They lost in overtime and the receiver had the ball in his hands but came down out of bounds. That would have been eight titles in eight years. Quarles first year they began 0-4 and then ran the table to win it all. They finished 11-4. The guy can coach. Also, you won't find a better high school coaching staff anywhere. Several coaches have been head coaches in other places. For the comment about the high school coach becoming coach at Notre Dame, his name was Gerry Faust from Cincinnati Moeller High School. Anyone who thought that a high school coach could take what, at that time, was the top job in America and succeed, was gravely mistaken. Quarles could be an assistant at Tennessee and make a huge impact. He's an innovator, which means giving him some room to think outside the box. I don't see him getting that much room and therefore not taking the job if offered. Spread offense anyone? I believe Quarles could coach that too.

Posted by PLEASEGETRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE on January 3, 2008 at 11:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Totally agree. Why just stop at a positional coach? Please get the man as a head coach. It is obvious that he knows how to coach young men and do something with something. Unlike Phil who does nothing with something. Off the subject; I would love to see the Kansas coach and Fulmer try to overtake Kobiachi in next years hot dog eating contest. I believe they both could do it.

Posted by aj_vol on January 3, 2008 at 11:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The position coaching hires will likely depend on who CPF hires to be the new OC

I know this will create a lot of negativity, but what about bringing back Randy Sanders as QB & WR coach?

He has proven that he is a tremendous position coach based on his time at UT & UK.

Posted by dfreeman on January 3, 2008 at 11:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PLEASEGETRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE - Right, because there is no difference between a major college football program and a highschool football program!! If you really believe a highschool coach needs to replace a highly successful Major College head coach, then I need to reserve a room for you at cherokee mental health or parkridge valley mental hospital!! Are you from Morristown??

Posted by PLEASEGETRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE on January 3, 2008 at 11:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dfreeman- Where do all coaches of college football start? At some point they all coached high school. Where is there any evidence that a guy who is a hell of a high school coach cannot lead a major university? I have seen Quarles personally coach and let me tell you the guy is amazing. Smart, inovative, and demands respect. Families move from all over to the Maryville area to get their sons a chance to play for this guy. The university of Tennessee would be fools not to offer this guy some type of spot on the staff. Of coarse we have already seen Hamilton's brillance by giving Porky Pig an extension. That is about as pathetic as the coach at Mo-town West when you and I were there- Mr. D Crissman. Talk about someone who wasted talent!

Posted by Ironcity on January 3, 2008 at 11:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No!!!!

Posted by FWBVol on January 4, 2008 at 12:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

PLEASEGETRIDOF, get an idea. I'm not saying anything one way or another about whether Quarles could do a good job as a position coach on the college level or even as a head coach at a college level one day. But to jump from head coach at a high school to head coach at the college level, much less Tennessee or any other SEC school is a huge, if not impossible stretch.

You stated that all the coaches at some point coached in high school. Yes, some do coach at the high school level at some point early in their careers, but a larger number never coach high school ball.

Phillip Fulmer never coached at the high school level. He was a graduate assistant, I believe at UT, coached at Witchita State and Vanderbilt before returning to the Hill as an assistant coach in 1980. In fact, I can say without a doubt that the last four head football coaches at Tennessee; Fulmer, Johnny Majors, Bill Battle and Doug Dickey never coached high school ball. I don't recall when the last time a head football coach at UT coached at the high school level.

Auburn's Tommy Tuberville did coach high school ball, and I can't remember if Nick Saban did or not, but those would be the only two current SEC coaches that come to my mind that have any high school experience.

Even someone like David Cutcliffe, who did coach some high school ball, came on as a grad assistant and worked his way up to a full assistant coach as a position coach, before becoming a coordinator and then the head coach.

Jerry Faust went from Cincinnati Moller, which was arguably the best high school program in the country, and fell flat on his face at Notre Dame in the 1980s.

I don't know George Quarles, but I like everything I've heard and read about him. But being a great high school coach doesn't always equate into becoming a great college coach with things like recruiting and everybody being good.

I can understand Quarles not wanting to take the pay cut associated with being a graduate assistant, but I can also understand Phillip Fulmer's reluctance to give a coach that hasn't proven himself at the college level a job as a position coach when this is such a critical time in the life of the UT program.

If Fulmer gives Quarles a shot as a position coach and things don't work out, those of you who are constantly complaining about everything CPF does, will be yelling he shouldn't have hired a high school guy.

Whether or not Quarles could or coudn't do the job isn't the issue. But in my opinion Fulmer needs to hire proven college or professional coaches for the openings on the staff.

That said, if CPF gives Quarles a job as a position coach, I'll welcome him to the staff with open arms and support the decision.

Posted by utmdm on January 4, 2008 at 1:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Pryor will come with Quarles? That's just wrong. Pryor is a 5 star looking for his future. He may stike a friendship with Quarles at the allstar game but he is not interested in being part of an experiment on his career with a HS coach. Get off the juice. Just will not happen.

Posted by ONUV on January 4, 2008 at 2:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

is this apart of a nationwide search?

Posted by vols76 on January 4, 2008 at 7:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

jobrando.....I am sorry I don't mean to disagree with you, but if he played in the late 80's then he would only be in his early 40's now....

Posted by mikes70gto on January 4, 2008 at 7:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Quarles would be a good fit for UT,but would everyone thats in LOVE with Pryor get off the bandwagon UT does not need him.Pryor is not a fit for UT,so get over the love fest.

Posted by vols76 on January 4, 2008 at 7:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

mikes70gto....I agree with you....just like Sims was not a good match for Tennessee, I am glad he didn't come here. Also Jimmy Clausen wasn't either, and now I think Pryor isn't a good match.

Posted by marc_ash on January 4, 2008 at 8:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

bloodrunsorange "If Quarles comes, Pryor comes. No questions asked. Done deal."

Where do you get this idea from?

Posted by orangebloodgmc on January 4, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

So, bring in fresh outside material, proven with major college and pro-level production, with Cignetti as OC.

Then complement that with Quarles as wr position coach, since y'all say he played that position in college and Trooper was doing that, last I heard. Quarles' high school coaching experience would not hurt with recruiting.

Don't know who for qb coach, maybe the Michigan guy Loefler.

Posted by orangebloodgmc on January 4, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It gladdened my heart to see the wording of sjt18 about Cignetti:

"He said there's a place for "dink and dunk" but that's not what he wants to do. He wants to stretch the D then run the ball with power."

Posted by mtnbikrtn on January 4, 2008 at 9:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Quarels is the best coach in Blount County. I've got Fulmer at 3rd after Rankin.

Posted by spam247buster on January 4, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Arkansas beat the heck out of UT in '06 with an offensive coordinator who just came out of the HS ranks-- Gus Malzahn. Based on his record, Quarles deserves serious consideration as a position coach at the very least.

Posted by pdhuff on January 4, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Fulmer & Quarles -sounds like a hardware store.

1-3-08 on the idoit, Phil is not, he is an Ididit. Sometime ago, but he didit. No, we're waiting for him and the likes of Quarles or someone to didit again.

Posted by dfreeman on January 4, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

PLEASEGETRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE - Um alright!! I have to admit you've pissed me off a couple of times because of comments regarding Fulmer, but it's cool to hear from you now that I know who you are!! I know you can't believe that Quarles could do a better job at head coach going straight from highschool to a major college!!! I am all for offering him a position coaching job, but you said why not make him a head coach!!

Posted by rbhobbs73 on January 4, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Let's Bring in Cignetti as OC, Loeffler as QB coach and Quarles as WR/Special Teams coach (where his discipline will work wonders) and then hire a quality RB coach and we will be set.

That should accomplish what most of the posters (positive and negative) want...

An OC with successful, playcalling experience in the college game but ties to the NFL (Cignetti), a quality proven big time QB coach from a big time program in Michigan(Loeffler) and everyone's favorite HS coach from East Tennessee...a young, disciplined motivator of a coach, a la Trooper (George Quarles).

All of these coaches would be outside the "Tennessee Family" and would bring in some fresh ideas..

What do you think?

Posted by orangebloodgmc on January 4, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sounds great, rbhobbs73. Then we can get back to recruiting.

Posted by CatScratchFever on January 4, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

A great motivator and has shown that he can coach quarterbacks. He is also a good recruiter (ie Burnette).

Posted by Oenoboy on January 4, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Bring in Quarles as a coach of Special Teams and Player Developement. That would give him a chance to see which side of the ball his talents and passions are before pigeon-holing him into the wrong fit.

Posted by TheFuture on January 4, 2008 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Were gonna see Cignetti as OC with his brother coming with him from alabama to be recievers coach and recruiting coordinator. Curt Cignetti is alabamas best recruiter and a good WR coach (especially when his recievers are playing us).

Posted by johnnyboy on January 4, 2008 at 11:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Quarles graduated Jefferson County High in 1986. He should be hired to replace Luke as TE coach and recruiting coordinator. Who knows high school students better than Quarles? He's been coaching them the last 15 years or so. It would be the right step for someone coming from hs ranks to college assistant. Quarles isn't going to take a ga job making peanuts when he makes $75000 plus a year at Maryville.

Posted by jdcdjc on January 4, 2008 at 11:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I would like to see him stay at MHS, but lets face it, someone is going to give him a chance at the next level and Fulmer you best be the one, I would hate to see you lose this one.

Posted by sgtvols on January 4, 2008 at 1:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

the man ain't asking for the head coach job, not even the oc job. he developes incoming jr. highschool kids, would love to see what he could do with incoming high school kids. give him a chance phil, what are you scared of?

Posted by mlawson8 on January 4, 2008 at 1:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hire him

Posted by rebelron82 on January 4, 2008 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If Quarles was to leave Maryvile I hope it is for UT.

I want Quarles to stay at Maryville and continue the dynasty.

George Quarles is a great coach. What he has done at Maryville is amazing. He also has some great assistants.He also lets his coaches coach.I have seen times where he would ask an assistant what he would do

The best thing about George is he is so humble. 90% of coaches that has had the success he has had would have such a huge ego. He is also a big cut up. He helped get my nephew into coaching. My nephew played for Quarles.

If you watch Maryville football like I do you notice that during crucial moments when most coaches are going nuts and letting the pressure get to them. Quarles is calm,cool and collected. His teams feed off of that.

Posted by Basketball_Jones on January 4, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I threw Quarles name out when Cut took the job at Duke. I know him personally and he won't leave Maryville unless its for UT. He was offered the Brentwood Academy job making quite a bit more but loves blount county. This guy would make a great position coach at UT, either QB's or receivers. Possibly work his way into a OC in time.

As far as Gus Malzhan goes, his Tulsa team leads the nation in offense and he is the one who installed the McFadden QB package at Ark. He called the plays after like 4 games last year. It can be done, give GQ a chance

Posted by pdhuff on January 4, 2008 at 3:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tngeoff-Is Quarles a chocolate filled or glazed man? Could be important long-term.

Posted by gravegr on January 4, 2008 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

fulmer wont hire a coach that is smarter than he is. QUARLES IS A GREAT COACH.

Posted by bigfan502 on January 4, 2008 at 4:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

HEY GUYS>>>>THIS IS BIG TIME COLLEGE...ITS MORE THAN THE THROW OF THE DICE WHEN YOU HIRE A HIGH SCHOOL COACH...REMEMBER HARVEY ROBINSON THE LONG TIME HIGH SCHOOL COACH AT KNOXVILLE CENTRAL. HE WAS A FLOP AS HEAD COACH...ALTHOUGH HE SET WON-LOST RECORDS AT CENTRAL HIGH. IT TURNED OUT THAT HARVEY, ALTHOUGH, A FINE CHRISTAN MAN, CLEAN CUT NON DRINKER...WAS A POOR RECRUITER, TOO NICE A GUY, TEAM HAD NO DISCIPLINE, AND HE WAS UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE TO PLAYERS. LOSSES QUICKLY PILED UP AND STANDS HALF EMPTY..THINK?

Posted by eaglentn2002 on January 4, 2008 at 5 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BIGFAN....this guy is very much a players coach. He is an incredible motivator and great x's and o's guy. I think he would do very well in a HS players living room. Let's get this guy! He also instills discipline...could we use some of that?

Posted by tngeoff on January 4, 2008 at 5:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pdhuff,

To the best of my knowledge he likes bear claws and chocolate covered glazed.

Posted by jamcdaniel79 on January 4, 2008 at 5:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't know much but it seems like he runs a good HS program. Why not bring him in as a position coach? Loyal guy to TN....makes a lot of sense to me.

Posted by tngeoff on January 4, 2008 at 5:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Coach Quarles wouldn't coach anywhere else? What about this:

http://tennessee.coacht.com/boards/in...

Posted by skyhawk836 on January 4, 2008 at 5:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tngeoff,

Has Hoover filled that job? I knew the CPA head coach was a finalist but did not know about Coach Quarles.

Posted by tngeoff on January 4, 2008 at 6:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

skyhawk836,

I haven't heard the final yet, but my personal opinion is that Quarles won't go there. I do believe if Tennessee doesn't offer him he'll stay in Maryville but be looking upward.

Posted by Southland on January 4, 2008 at 7:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

is anyone talking to Fulmer about this man or are we just talking to each other about him on here. The allusion to Gerry Faust is not relevant at all. We are not making him head coach. Notre Dumb made him head coach. Then gladly they hired Charlie Whathappenedtomycoachingability. Hope that Notre Dumb has a down year next year compared to this year

Posted by fryed004 on January 4, 2008 at 7:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WD, my wife lived around the corner from the Hales, and was class of 82 as well.

Posted by tngeoff on January 4, 2008 at 8:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TommyJack.

Sorry. I missed this:

"Geoff: Where do you find that stuff re old posts, etc?"

Bro'. It depends. There are a couple of options. One is to simply take the screen name and enter it into a search engine like Yahoo. The second is to enter it into the KNS search engine. The new screen they are using includes a link to the real persons name (if used), e-mail address (sometimes) and a link to EVERY post ever made here. It's interesting to see who is who and what they have said over time.

Posted by cookevol on January 4, 2008 at 8:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Give him a chance. Just because Gerry Faust failed at ND 20 years ago doesn't mean HS coach can't produce.

Posted by ballewville6 on January 5, 2008 at 1:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

quarles coached at brentwood acadamy before going to mariville he is young no older than41 or 42

Posted by mtnbikrtn on January 5, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

GQ never coached at Brentwood Academy.

Posted by mtnbikrtn on January 5, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Here is a link for an article about Gus Malzahn in the Tulsa World. Notice the article mentions that Malzahn is 2 years removed from Springdale HS. The article also mentions Bill Blankenship who is a position coach at TU who is just a few years removed from being HC at Union High School in Tulsa. From someone who's kids went to Union and now go to Maryville I hope GQ stays at MHS. But to the naysayers, the jump to college can be made and GQ could pull it off.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/sports/arti...

Posted by txsvol on January 5, 2008 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

FWIW, Pryor will have some serious competition if he chooses the Wolverines, from Ryan Mallett, the #2 overall prospect in 2006 (#1 QB), from Texarkana, TX, who decided to go to Michigan when Ryan Perrilleaux was flirting with Texas. He bided his time behind Chad Henne, has a great arm, and good football IQ. My guess is that Rich Rodrigues is smart enough to keep him around, even if he's not at all like Pat White. Is Pryor? SAVol

Posted by LenoirCityPanther on January 5, 2008 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hire him so we don't have to face him anymore! LOL!! I really do think Quarles would do good, you have to remember that a college freshmen is the same age as some high school srs. He knows how to relate and talk to young adults, he would do fine.

Posted by sonrizer on January 5, 2008 at 7:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

George Quarles is an excellent coach. Maryville is a school that has had a longstanding tradition of great football. He is a good teacher of the game and has his teams well prepared for games. He is at the luxury of working with a top notch coaching staff. I believe that his defensive coordinator was a head coach in Knox County at one time. I would be interested in how well he recruits. The Maryville program recruits for itself. Blount County is different in the fact that it has three school systems - Blount County, Maryville, and Alcoa. I am a teacher and coach in a county middle school that has had some of our top players pay tuition to attend Maryville. Tyler Maples was in the county school system before switching in middle school. Their QB (Burnette) and TE (Douglas) are not originally from Maryville either. I believe they are both originally from the Knoxville area. Neadless to say, Coach Quarles hasn't had to recruit. The excellence that they have shown on the field is enough to draw any talented young man out to play football. Recruiting in the SEC would definitely be bit more of a challenge.

Posted by david.stinson on January 6, 2008 at 1:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I can give you some background on George. Contrary to what some people believe, he is not such a young guy. He is approaching 40 years old. I knew him when he was about 8 years old. As a person, on a scale of 1 to 10 he is a 10 which is about 8 notches above Fulmer. As a coach, on a scale of 1 to 10 he is a 10 which is about 6 notches above Fulmer. Fulmer only offered the guy a grad asst. job because he knew he wouldn't take it. that way Fulmer can tell people "well, I made him an offer and her turned it down." If the truth were known, I would almost bet that Quarles already has a masters degree so why in the world would he quit a job that pays probably about 75k to 90k a year to take a grad asst. job that pays about 10k a year. Fulmer's arrogance is a disgrace. Quarles not only should be brought in as either the QB coach or the OC, he should be the next head coach at UT. And coach Fulmer needs to quit insulting each and every fan of this proud football program. Fulmer won't do it because he knows how he got his job by stabbing Johnny in the back. But if he would do his homework, he would know that Quarles is a much better man than he is and would never do what he did to Johnny. And if Fulmer brought the guy in, he wins, he gets the credit for being smart enough to hire the guy, and he goes out the all-time winningest coach in UT history. It's a no brainer! But then again, Fulmer has no brain.

Posted by tngeoff on January 6, 2008 at 4:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

david.stinson,

Back in the early 70's when I was at UT, in Morrill Hall there was a gentleman who I became friends with (older) who ate there all the time I knew only as Mr. Stinson. Do you know if that was your relative?

Posted by movol77 on January 6, 2008 at 2:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Arkansas beat the heck out of UT in '06 with an offensive coordinator who just came out of the HS ranks-- Gus Malzahn. Based on his record, Quarles deserves serious consideration as a position coach at the very least."

"He had the number one offense in the country at Tulsa this year."

What's all the Malzahn worship? He divided the AR team because he didn't get his way with the offensive scheme. BTW, his scheme was not used to beat us in 2006. His scheme is to throw the ball on virtually every down. He was not the brawn behind putting McFadden in the backfield! Malzahn is a one dimensional offensive...pass almost every down!

As for Tulsa being the "number one offense"...they ranked 7th in Conference USA rushing. Bring that mindset to SEC and we will go 6-6.

Absolute "NO" on Malzahn. He is a lone ranger staffer and one dimensional coordinator.

Posted by OhioVol on January 6, 2008 at 5:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

too bad maryville plays a weak schedule. they refuse to play top teams within tennessee and throughout america. they have been invited to play in national high school 'classics', like the herbstreit, but decline. it would be interesting to see how maryville would do against teams from ohio, texas, florida, etc.

Posted by daxvolfan on January 6, 2008 at 6:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He has recruited well at Maryville, I'm sure he would do the same at UT.

<tounge in cheek>

Posted by sonrizer on January 7, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nafslov, keep in mind that Maryville was almost beaten by those slow, fat kids at Wm. Blount this year. I will also point out that the hook and ladder play that won that game was by three boys (Burnette - Douglas - Shuler) that went to get a "better education" at Maryville. You can call it whining as much as you want, but without guys like those choosing to go to Maryville you might be looking at different season this past year. As for your Tornado neighbors, I'm quite aware of those looking for the opportunity for more playing time and I don't blame them a bit. You have a kid who has moved to Alcoa because an "average" kid from the county is playing his position at MMS next year and possibly cutting into his playing time.
What I was trying to say was GQ has never had to work to get kids to play for Maryville.

Posted by cnalumni on January 7, 2008 at 6 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am sure fulmer is going to take the advice of the people who post on here. LOL

Posted by tyger2222 on January 7, 2008 at 6:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Football is fundamentally the same. Maryville has won 7 state championships, 4 in a row. It only makes sense to at least interview the guy and see what he has to say and how he fits into Tennessee's system. It would be a mistake to not at least interview him!