Posted by ThurmondEppy on January 6, 2008 at 5:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ARRGH!
I thought this might be the guy for us.

Posted by vol52 on January 6, 2008 at 6 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Where the heck does this leave us. He must have been to wide open for the big guy on the Hill. What is going on?

Posted by vol52 on January 6, 2008 at 6:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We need an OC with a touch of imagination. Please!

Posted by utwick on January 6, 2008 at 6:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This can only be good if Fulmer has someone better in mind. If we end up choosing an OC just because he is the only guy remaining that hasn't been hired elsewhere, we are bungholed again.

Posted by invisiblekid on January 6, 2008 at 6:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hope the interview with Loeffler went well, our options seem to be dwindling. No mention of Marrone lately, maybe Fulmer is planning to wow us all tommorow.

Posted by rabidvol1998 on January 6, 2008 at 6:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Keep the faith. Coach knows what he is doing. He has a long history of more good hires than bad. I want the QB coach at Hawaii along with Trooper (if it is not too late for him to change his mind).

Posted by invisiblekid on January 6, 2008 at 6:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Guess this does open the door for a dream ticket of Adkins and Sparky Woods.

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

Ain't that a revoltin' development? Good Ol' Phil the magician must be reachin' really deep into that hat to find us a good rabbit...

Posted by vol52 on January 6, 2008 at 6:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If Adkins or Woods get the job I quit.

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

In the words of the Saturday Night Live original character, Rosanna Rosanna Dana; "Never mind!"

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

Tongue in cheek on that comment Vol52, if it were to happen I wouldn't quit the Vols but I'd grab the reigns of the fire Fulmer bandwagon.

Posted by BoarderVol on January 6, 2008 at 6:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's possible that Fulmer didn't think he was the right guy. As controlling as Tedford is about his offense you would think that Cignetti would have even less latitude at Cal than at UT.

Posted by tngeoff on January 6, 2008 at 6:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I hear Jim Bob Cooter's still got a chance!

http://www.volunteertv.com/volsfootba...

Posted by invisiblekid on January 6, 2008 at 6:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Opps , my apologies for the extra g.

Posted by kdt0725 on January 6, 2008 at 6:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What does the lack of interest in our OC job mean for the direction we're going and respect that our program has in the coaching circles?

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

"I not only had to know all the plays and but was responsible for coming through with the correct signals during clutch situations of the game," he said. "It was a lot of responsibility." - Jim Bob Cooter

Born of danger and forged in fire, Jim Bob Cooter is ready, willing, and ... yah ... well ...he already knows all the plays...

All seriousness aside, just havin' fun!

Posted by heathut15 on January 6, 2008 at 6:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

well who does that put at the top of the list now that just makes things a little bit more unbelievable to know that we almost had someone so what now

Posted by TommyJack on January 6, 2008 at 6:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

In another interview, Jim Bob said he owed all his success to his wife Ima.

Posted by skyhawk836 on January 6, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by kdt0725 on January 6, 2008 at 6:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What does the lack of interest in our OC job mean for the direction we're going and respect that our program has in the coaching circles?
------
How do you know that no one is interested?
Cignetti may have taken the job offered.

As far as we know the UT job hasn't been offered to anyone.

Posted by llong32 on January 6, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OK----all you know it alls out there I want to throw a name in the pot.....Todd Blackledge...I know he's never coached before but he seems to know everything and you have to start somewhere & we need a guy with an imagination, exquarterback and I think would be someone who could work with kids.

Posted by utwick on January 6, 2008 at 6:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good one TommyJack 1

Posted by TommyJack on January 6, 2008 at 6:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

lllong32: And take a pay cut and work 70 hrs. a week. ??

Posted by Pullingguard on January 6, 2008 at 6:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Big question has to be.... What is the delay in Philip Fulmer naming his offensive coordinator.. That is unless they are coming from LSU or Ohio State, which I doubt... The openings are hurting recruiting and probably only major team left with so many coaching openings... So, what is Fulmer waiting on; maybe to get the approval of Hamilton. If not that, does anyone have any ideas...

Posted by skyhawk836 on January 6, 2008 at 6:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tngeoff,
There's a gentleman on the Matt Luke thread that answered you question as to Warner Hodges.

Didn't know if you had seen it.

Posted by kdt0725 on January 6, 2008 at 6:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well I would assume that during the interview we gave Cignetti insight as to our plans, seeing as we're supposed to be making a hire tomorrow. From all acounts the interview went well, and we have a much bigger budget than Cal. The only things I could think of are proximity to his current home and our lack of interest, which to me seems a little unlikely.

Posted by TNPilgrim on January 6, 2008 at 6:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

More embarassment to the UT Football program - maybe Fulmer should check Monster.com. There has to be a reason why UT can't find a decent candidate that will seriously consider the OC job. It appears there's something going on inside UT's program the general public doesn't know about.

Posted by utwick on January 6, 2008 at 6:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Skyhawk, we don't know if Cignetti was offered a job. Spence said he wasn't offered. Is Fulmer waiting until he interviews all his candidates before offering a job or will he know his man when sees him? Regardless, times a wastin'.

Posted by chrisw2967 on January 6, 2008 at 6:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe not ever OC in the country is knocking down the door to come here on a leash.
If Fulmer doesnt make a good hire then this will all but finish him off. Someone mentioned Adkins or Woods. That would have to be a joke but they might be the only 2 that will let Fulmer control them.
This isnt good at all and he should of already had the deal done. I got a feeling were going to end up with someone we never heard , more like someone from Div 2

Posted by skyhawk836 on January 6, 2008 at 6:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

True, kdt0725.

Pullingguard,
On another thread someone posted that Doug Matthews was sayin on his show today that it was the LSU OC.

Don't know, though.

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

GerryOP,

We're all just havin' fun. Jim Bob is a super nice guy and with the lull in candidates, it just makes for good comic relief and your post was great! This is a wee bit stressful knowing how vital this hire is to our program. I'll bet pdhuff will weigh in soon on the Jim Bob sitaution.

Posted by tngeoff on January 6, 2008 at 6:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

skyhawk836,

Thanks my friend. Yup. That guy I was lookin' for is one of best old friends from when I lived in Germantown. Thanks again and keep the Faith!

Posted by dgb63 on January 6, 2008 at 6:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ok My names are still out there. Tampa just lost Gruden for OC??!!! Oh wait people were wanting him for the head coach ??? Fulmer had better have a plan we don't know about. Thia hire is so important. It just seems like every name that is brought up falls away just as fast. nCould the person still be coaching in either Tulsa, LSU, OSU or the NFL????

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

Speaking of Div 2, maybe UT could get Jerry Moore and his offensive prowess to come across the mountain from Appy St - as head coach.

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

i think everything right now points to trooper taylor as the next oc. we haven't hired anyone else, the stated goal was to hire by january 8, and mike gundy said he thought we were putting together a better offer to keep trooper.

it's circumstantial, but to me, those things together all look like a trooper taylor hiring for tomorrow.

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

Trust in Fulmer.....

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

Stay the course....He hires like he coaches with the lead, scared and not to win...Remember last time he had to make this decision, it was easy for him. Same goes for when he hired Sanders. Poor Phil no one in "the family" is begging for such an illustrious job

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

PK.

Was this the story you mentioned or is there another one coming?

Posted by tngeoff on January 6, 2008 at 6:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How about Judge and Tennessee Legend Tim Irwin?

Posted by bigtimevol on January 6, 2008 at 6:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sometimes there's more than meets the eye...and sometimes there's not. I'm starting to get the sinking feeling that we're going to be settling. You'd have to say at this point that either someone's coming over from the pro's, or LSU/Ohio State...or we're in a bad spot.

Posted by GerryOP on January 6, 2008 at 6:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey, Geoff, I agree. Sometimes things get so crazy that if you can't laugh you'll end up crying! This is really getting freaky though.

How about Good Ol' Phil for OC with Troop, Adkins, Leoffler, Quarles, Sparky, Jim Bob, and TouchdownTN as Co-OCs? Just for grins, throw in Gruden as HC!

Posted by dgb63 on January 6, 2008 at 6:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

At first I was OK with the Taylor hire but now I'm not so sure. If he gets the job we all know it was not the 1st or even 2nd choice. We could have had Taylor from the first day if Fulmer wanted him. If anybody on the staff gets the job it will be because they had to settle. Who would have ever thought that this program would have to settle for a coach not on the A list.

Posted by southernACmavs on January 6, 2008 at 6:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Adkins is the man folks.Fulmer is not interested in change.Stay the course,work like heck.We could have had an new Head Coach,a new direction. What will have to happen ??Will our program have to fall to the likes of OL Miss before a change is made? Right now our recruiting class is ranked in the 40"s . This is a big recruiting weekend upcoming.What the hell can Fulmer tell them? WE WILL WORK LIKE HECK SON.. SPEND MORE EXPECT LESS

Posted by rabidvol1998 on January 6, 2008 at 6:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Does anyone have confirmation whether Trooper has signed a contract and/or reported for duty at OK ST?

Posted by GerryOP on January 6, 2008 at 6:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Besides, he said he would make an announcement on Tuesday, and, dang it, he's workin' like heck to keep that promise. No sooner, no later. However, all this stuff about everyone gettin' jobs elsewhere in sorta distractin'.

Posted by dgb63 on January 6, 2008 at 6:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If he is waiting on Tues look out for the coach from Tulsa or another clooege coach still with a game left. If not wy wait. To me the faster you name him the better.

Posted by Volunteered on January 6, 2008 at 6:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I've heard a rumor that June Jones may be the new OC and HC in waiting. Anyone else have any info?

Posted by tngeoff on January 6, 2008 at 6:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GerryOP,

Two good posts! The first one (coach list) sounds like when those traveling circus's that travel around the Country! The second sounds too real!

Posted by chrisw2967 on January 6, 2008 at 6:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

June Jones and SMU are in the works for HC

Posted by VolsorCat on January 6, 2008 at 6:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I had hoped for new blood and still do. From San Francisco to Berkley, he won't even have to move. I don't know, but this could explain the reason he chose Cal. Keeping the faith.....

Posted by kdt0725 on January 6, 2008 at 6:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

volunteerd,

june jones is expected to be named head coach at SMU tomorrow...no idea as to why he would go there.

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

Does anyone know what UT is paying their coordinators and assistants? UK is paying position coaches up to $200+, with both coordinators in at about $230k. Neither Brown or Phillips had been a coordinator before, but both are young with NFL experience.

Posted by dgb63 on January 6, 2008 at 7:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I would think Hawaii would be a better job then SMU. After all he did get to a BCS Bowl not much chance of that at SMU. That doesn't sound like a move up??

Posted by kdt0725 on January 6, 2008 at 7:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Im assuming most agree that hiring from outside the program is by far our best option. It's time to change our philosophy a little bit. Our schemes havn't changed in years and teams know what we're going to do. We don't exactly have the talent we once had where it didn't matter if they knew, our players were just that much better.

If Fulmer can accept that he needs to change with the game and makes an awesome surprise hire, then it shows his willingness to adapt and personally I feel that grants him another year or two to prove that. Let's hope hes done that.

Next few days could determine the path of our program in the coming years.

Posted by knoxsingle on January 6, 2008 at 7:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe we're going to hire Terrelle Pryor's father as the new OC. :)

Posted by dgb63 on January 6, 2008 at 7:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree kdt0725... This hire is the most important that this program has ever faced..

Posted by chrisw2967 on January 6, 2008 at 7:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I still think Fulmer will hire spongebob , he is working out the contract as we speak

Posted by skyhawk836 on January 6, 2008 at 7:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

VolsorCat,

I think Cut was making in excess of $300,000.

Posted by rootin4volz on January 6, 2008 at 7:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

June Jones...June Jones...June Jones...June Jones!

Posted by olozbal on January 6, 2008 at 7:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What happened to Doug Marrone from the Saints? I heard that was a done deal.

Posted by southernACmavs on January 6, 2008 at 7:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I was at the all you can eat buffet today. Sitting behind me was Chavis and Fulmer. When the Chicken ran out I heard them say Randy would do better this time..... SPEND MORE EXPECT LESS

Posted by britt on January 6, 2008 at 7:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow!!! Beat twice by cal in 1 year. This guy would have been great.

Posted by waterskier3 on January 6, 2008 at 7:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

by my caculations if hundreds had called for the position and fulmer or the media knows none of the names then something smells... come on if tons of interest in our program someone from the inside would leak it to someone.... nothing is that secret...

adkins it is................ chavis, adkins and fulmer... man the other sec coaches have to be laughing......

Posted by BleedsOrangeinMO on January 6, 2008 at 7:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

JUne Jones is leaving the Rainbows to be HC at SMU for twice the money I heard on ESPN but they did NOT say how much that was. Does enyone know what he is making now at Hawaii? I here Cam Cameron is still unemployed.

Posted by dgb63 on January 6, 2008 at 7:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just look where we have come. I never thought I would see a day when a coach would pick Cal over any SEC team little on a program like Tenn. ??? My guys are still alive in MY hunt for the OC. Shula, Cam Camron and Jeff Bower former Southern Miss coach.

Posted by TurboFan on January 6, 2008 at 7:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Why would the OCs at either LSU or OSU leave their NC contending teams to go to UT for the same position? And if there were any position coaches on either of those teams with a shot, would think the collective cerebralness of the posters on this board would have come up with their names already.

olozbal, the only time I've seen Marrone's name mentioned is by posters here or KNS articles as a possibility. Never saw anything that said Phil was talking to Doug. What have you seen?

Posted by Volalumnus on January 6, 2008 at 7:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Stay the course .... to nowhere.

This is either Fulmer deliberately letting canidates get away so when he doesn't get a popular choice he can say it took the best he could get, or he has lost perception that recruiting is almost over.

Either way he doesn't look to good right now.

My guess he has too many demands for anyone reasonable out there and still wants to hold them accountable.

Here I want you to do it my way with my coaches and if you don't do a good job I will blame you....

Posted by dgb63 on January 6, 2008 at 7:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I thik BleedsOrangein MO is on to something. He had a god list too!! He got me intrested in Cam Camron.. And Ven Test for the QB coach. It looks bad when we have better names then the HC and ham..

Posted by Rok_Etop on January 6, 2008 at 7:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Phil is waiting on the Titans game to end tonight. That way he can make his announcement without any damage to anyone. It is simply a short 2 to 3 hour move for NORM CHOW to put on the power T sweater vest and create his magic on Volunteer land.
And by the way for all you haters, I dated the girl for 2 years and that is her nickname in her inner circle of friends. Dare I type the nickname, lest I be ridiculed by all you so called No-it-alls. (Lets just say one of Pooh's Friends that is a swine).
Would never knock the man or his family. Love them all dearly. Not looking for an apology from anyone, just wanted to set the record straight.

Peace, Love, and CHOW baby!!

Posted by Volalumnus on January 6, 2008 at 7:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

An effort this bad with so many offensive coaches out while recruiting is closing its doors could be one of the final nails in his TN coaching coffin.

Posted by nmvol on January 6, 2008 at 7:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Not looking too good. Fulmer may be backed into a corner and UT is in deep trouble.

Posted by Volalumnus on January 6, 2008 at 7:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Top
Fulmer needs you to be right.
He isn't looking good if he hasn't got something lined up.

Posted by BleedsOrangeinMO on January 6, 2008 at 7:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WOW, I forgot Norm Chow is with the Titans. I'll call the moving truck we'll have him in K-town by Wednesday.

Posted by utvols1 on January 6, 2008 at 7:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If Tedford took this guy he was probably pretty good. Typical Fulmer-draging his ass to make a decision. Guess Hamilton was out for a few days and Phil couldn't make it on his own!

Posted by dgb63 on January 6, 2008 at 7:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Do we think Chow would leave the NFL OC job to take the same in college again??? Great hire if Fulmer can pull it off.

Posted by dgb63 on January 6, 2008 at 8:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ESPN was just talking about Tulsa's O stats. man that is what we need!!!!!!!!!

Posted by vol52 on January 6, 2008 at 8:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

invisiblekid I was born a VOL and I will die a VOL. I just want a new direction for out offense.

Posted by utwick on January 6, 2008 at 8:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BleedsOrangeinMO, June Jones was making $800 grand at UH. He is leaving due to lack of support from the athletic dept and not due to money. He will make around $1.5 mil at SMU. Cuttcliffe made $345 grand this year and was set to make $375 grand next year.

Posted by BleedsOrangeinMO on January 6, 2008 at 8:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks utwick. I was just a Yahoo sports and read an article with the information you passes along. So who is Hawaii's OC? Maybe he'll be looking for a job.

Posted by pdhuff on January 6, 2008 at 8:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ, we've been out-Kippied and out- Cigied. Do we have to have an OC? Where does it say that in the Vol handbook?

You think for about 1mil a year Neyland could become Kremeland Stadium. Remember my idea of running thru a glazed with the red light on instead of the "T". Revisit pls.

Notice how quiet Mikey H has become. Maybe he's sitting at home, head in his hands saying, I could have been an ag professor.

Posted by dgb63 on January 6, 2008 at 8:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh my are you guys watching Tulsa??!!! I like this kind of play calling!!

Posted by waterskier3 on January 6, 2008 at 8:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

no way he brings in this guys from tulsa...... way to open for phil.... phil likes to sit on a 3 point lead.. this guy will light it up

Posted by ktemaque1 on January 6, 2008 at 8:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I see no way we are going to get an outsider to be in line for a HC job just a few years down the road. Who was our last outsider promoted up? Bill Battle.

Posted by Orange_Nation_23 on January 6, 2008 at 8:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

By the numbers, UT has been in the lead in five of their eight SEC conference games at the half. Great, but in the second half something happens to my beloved Vols. The dreaded “C” word rears its ugly head and the Vol fans have to hold their breaths and wait out a heart stopping second half. Being conservative in college football, or any level for that matter, is usually the cause of very close games that start out to be blowouts, and true Vol fans know what I mean.

In the five games mentioned above, the other team has outscored the Vols 79 to 47. In two of those games (SC and UK) they had to go into overtime in which they lead at the half by an average of 19 points. In both of those games the “others” scored 24 points each to UT’s 3 and 7 point second halves respectively. And if you want to go deeper, look at the time of possession and the total plays in each of those games.

Now in comparison, when Florida lead at halftime in their eight SEC games they outscored their opponent 146 to 105. Georgia outscored their opponents 87 to 47. Also to show how other good teams (not in the SEC)continue scoring and how the spread-option offense works; West Virginia outscored their opponents 121 to 54 in the second half of their conference games.

Being conservative now days with teams running spread and spread-option offenses just does not work. My father, a retired football coach, calls me every time UT has a significant lead at halftime and tells me that they will lose the game or it will be a close, and most of the time he is right.

Oh, and by the way, the Vols did not score in the second half in the Outback Bowl either.

CPF needs to go or stop holding on to a lead by being conservative and running out the clock trying not to lose instead of trying to win every game by a hefty margin. Believe me; you will not hurt any Vol fans feelings or boosters by blowing out your opponent.

Posted by TommyJack on January 6, 2008 at 8:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good point PD. Plus, our band has always been famous for the "circle drill". Makes sense.
Faithful...prepare for disappointment. This could get ugly.

Posted by waterskier3 on January 6, 2008 at 8:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

orange_nation don't show stats the fulmer supporters will say you stats mean nothing that fulmer is the man and knows how to coach... I agree with you... the c world is back at ut and that got johnny majors ran off....

great recruits make average coaches look good.... compare the 90 recruits to the 2000 group and that's why ut is back to the being average......

pass the butter please.....we're getting ready to get screwed..............

Posted by hueypilot on January 6, 2008 at 9:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Given that Gus Malzahn's HS teams were offensive machines, AND in his second year in college coaching as OC at Tulsa, his team lead the NCAA in total offense with balance between run and pass, not just pass happy like Hawaii and Texas Tech, is the only reason he is not the hottest OC or even HC prospect in the country because they still have a game tonight, which as I type has scored 28 points in just over a quarter? Seems like this guy is too good to be true and Houston Nutt was a visionary to hire him, now having his college bona fides by the job he's done at Tulsa. Why wasn't he being mentioned for a handful of the vacancies, and why aren't we talking to him right now between plays of the game being shown righ now.

Posted by vol52 on January 6, 2008 at 9:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tell Gus to get the heck on the bus for Knoxville if he is that good.

Posted by cdldoc on January 6, 2008 at 9:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

HOT OFF THE WIRE:

In a surprise move today Phillip Fulmer, Head Coach of the Tennessee Volunteers, Named Touchdowntn as his new Offensive Coordinator. Fulmer said tdtn's first assignment would be to "kiss the big man's butt."

Posted by reedt on January 6, 2008 at 9:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To BleedsOramgeinMO:
June Jones is on the last year of a 5 year contract at Hawaii for 5 million.

Posted by bigfan502 on January 6, 2008 at 9:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Guys, the most important hire as OC is, can he recruit? Especially in the South...we badly need another Tee Martin for a change...we have had drop back passers as QBS for the past eight or nine years...Give us pass-run QB...

Posted by VOLinDAWGland on January 6, 2008 at 10:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Huey I sure hope so. Malzahn has been my favorite of all the candidates mentioned so far. I think his offensive style would fit well with talent UT has. He doesn't run an all out spread or other type of gimmick offense like Hawaii's verions of the old 'run and gun'. He's just aggressive as hell and runs a very uptempo offense. Get him in here, keep TT and add another good fit and we're in bidness. The buzz that coaching team could create could really change the recruiting dymanics for TN.

Posted by utchris2003 on January 6, 2008 at 10:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I had the fortune of talking to two of the football player's yesterday. They expressed that they hated to see Trooper and Cut go, but also said they were told that there would be a new coach introduced to them on Thursday.

I do not think that Malzahn would be the answer. Yes, he excelled at Tulsa this year, but consider the fact that he was running up yard's in Conference USA. Consider that Central Florida, the league champ, was shut down by Miss St in the liberty bowl and held to three points. As for his HS coaching. What did he really prove? He coached at a very large school that had a lot of funds and they did not exactly go play big teams out of the state. While Ark has put out some quality players, they have not exactly been known for their stiff competition.

One last thought concerning Jones and Hawaii. SMU should prove to be a better situation for Jones. For one, he will see a hefty pay raise and will have much more funding and talent at his disposal. It was reported in the Memphis paper that Houston Nutt's agent, Jimmy Sexton (also the agent of Fulmer, Saban, Cutcliffe, etc) suggested to Nutt that he take the SMU job over Ole Miss bc he would have it better off there.

Sorry for the long post....

Posted by budrhon on January 6, 2008 at 10:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

In the mean time precious recruits might be slipping out of our grasp because of the instability of a Coaching staff being firmed up.

Posted by jobrando on January 7, 2008 at 7:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Coach Phil is extremely dedicated to the University. I still think he will call the plays himself and save money.

Posted by utvols1 on January 7, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If Tedford took this guy he was probably pretty good. Typical Fulmer-draging his ass to make a decision. Guess Hamilton was out for a few days and Phil couldn't make it on his own!

Posted by pdhuff on January 7, 2008 at 8:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Adkins- no moving van bills. Mikey would like that. Already knows where water fountain is and has stayed the course. Knows SEC ring is not necessary, sets the bar too high. Most competent man on staff.

Posted by nicksjuzunk on January 7, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ok,

Nobody wants to see Greg Adkins calling plays... although none of us can vouch one way or the other whether he can or not. Let's leave that one to Phil.

Regardless, I don't think we are screwed. Everyone is in a huge drama fit over this hire. Is it important? Without a doubt. If it is the wrong hire, we are gone.

TN IS an elite program in terms of tradition, facilities, players and conference. I would say it is definitely a top 10 job nationwide. We can get A LOT of different people to step in and do a great job. Let's leave it to the boss man to get it done.

Posted by sjt18 on January 7, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Disappointed by this news. Sounds like Cignetti likes the Bay area having coached at Fresno and SF.

I've read that regardless of who the guy is... it is very unlikely that it will be Adkins.

IMO it is conceivabvle that CPF is intentionally keeping this quiet so that those inclined to can't rip every candidate apart... and him also for every perceived failure or mis-step.

It looks like three serious candidates didn't work out. Two were offered more money. One was apparently offered a similar job with perhaps less pressure in the area where he apparently likes to live.

I'm pretty sure that Cignetti has school aged children.

NONE of us KNOWS where these guys fit on CPF's list of candidates. NONE of us KNOWS who he has or has not spoken to. The fact that the hire is taking time is both good and bad.

Considering that several usually reliable sources are reporting somewhat conflicting things... It would seem that CPF's effort to keep this secret is working as well as the hiding of Ainge's should injury. It is also possible that they are being fed some disinformation for whatever reason... maybe CPF is just getting some revenge on those who ran him down on the internet mid-season?

Posted by TommyJack on January 7, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Nick: I admire you faith in your Big Job. Not so sure about it re the Pumpkin. Just a thought.

Posted by pdhuff on January 7, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ, I too admire the course stayed by the "Ites". If we truly didn't care, I wouldn't be traumatized at 59 by Fla and 41 by Bamer. If its just a game to people, I need some of their Xanex.

People should be very careful about taking their young to Neyland (my son had to stand up at 6 to see anything from PP) or they'll get the fever. He matriculated at Vandy and yet, he's a let-it rip Vol fan. I did well.

Back to the situation at hand, I believe Phil's been turned down by 3 or 4 candidates or non-candidates. I believe he's consumed by the hire and its important. I hope Phil can make this magical "late push" in recruiting as we're all ready seeing the result of past years in our Div II d-line.

Well, I digress - at least the doldrums alwasy stay the course. "Circle drill", huh, got potential...red lights blinking all around the top of Kremeland....ah the majesty.....

Posted by TommyJack on January 7, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

PD: Kudos for that wallet-flattening experience of sending an offspring to Vandy.
I fear the Pumpkin has belly flopped into the Styx and is now dog paddling toward the other side. Seems to be getting lower and lower in the water and the inevitable hell below. Throw him a glazed life ring. Throw like heck.

Posted by vol52 on January 7, 2008 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

pdhuff- Its Xanax and stay away from it. A terrible drug. Have a dozen glazed instead!

Posted by TommyJack on January 7, 2008 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PD: Not so terrible. I like the little blue ones.

Posted by pdhuff on January 7, 2008 at 4:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ- Perhaps Phil has a hand on the ferryman's craft as he plies that dark river. Phil, if nothing else is a survivor and he'll cross to face a new (to us) OC and (hopefully) some bushy-tailed freshmen-to-be.

A few stalwarts have apparently looked at that OC position and said, "thanks but no thanks". I quasi-seriously believe that Adkins is the man. Best coach on the staff, comfortable with Phil and knows his way around.

vol52, sorry about my medical spelling. You'd think with a bro-in-law who's a surgeon at Emory I'd know. The worst drug around here is 'shine. The boys haven't mastered proof yet. They just sip and said, "Whew, that's good" looking like the old Jaegermeister dude. It'll clean a tractor radiator in a heartbeat and not one recorded case of any stomach organism living thru a few pulls of that. Man.

Well, afore you call me bro skaggs, Happy 2008 to all. We're one big family wearing orange, some wear it to bed.

Posted by bigfan502 on January 7, 2008 at 8:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

HANG IN THERE COACH FULMER. GET THE RIGHT FIT FOT OC...SOMEONE THAT KNOWS THE SEC...AND WHERE THE PLAYERS ARE. BRINGING IN A COACH OUTSIDE THE AREA COULD BE A GRAVE ERROR...EVEN IF HE WAS TOP NOTCH SOMEWHERE ACROSS THE COUNTRY...HE MUST BE FOR THE MOST PART A COACH THAT HAS SIMILAR AND PSYCHOLOGICAL OUTLOOKS ON MATTERS...TAKE THE COACH FROM HAWAII... AS MUCH AS I LOVE AND LIVE IN THIS AREA...IF HE LEFT HAWAII TO TAKE A STATESIDE JOB HIS WIFE WOULD CONK HIM ON THE HEAD WITH A FRYING PAN....AND PROBABLY LEAVE HIM.