HOOVER, Ala. - The dog ate Phillip Fulmer's subpoena?
No, that's not it.
It got stuck in the fax machine. Or he left it in his pants in the the dryer. Or, wait, here's one.
"Phillip was getting out of his car and focused on other things," said Jeff Hagood, Fulmer's lawyer.
Uh-huh.
"Somebody basically threw something at him."
Someone?
"They didn't look official, as far as he was concerned."
Of course not.
"He didn't pay attention to what it was."
Whereupon, a dog ate it?
"Once he got out of all the interviews and was looking through (the pile of stuff), he telephoned me and we discussed that," said Hagood, in an interview with the Knoxville News Sentinel.
So that's the story.
Upon arriving at Media Days Thursday morning, Fulmer was approached by a stranger and given a subpoena, which he took, tucked in with all his stuff, and then didn't think about, even once, despite being asked roughly a thousand times during the day if he had been served with a subpoena.
It was a double-secret subpoena, see.
"He was ambushed," said Hagood.
Well, that much is true.
But the ambush wasn't the worst part. The worst part was that during the course of the ambush, Fulmer shot himself in the foot.
What is it about the guy, anyway? How has he managed to turn himself into the SEC's Charlie Brown?
He's had a distinguished career. He's won a national championship. He should be wildly toasted and celebrated.
Instead, he's a caricature. The Great Pumpkin. Phillip Fulmer, private eye.
Remember the year that Fulmer didn't show at media days at all? He talked to reporters from the safety of Knoxville?
Everyone had a hoot over that one. The coach didn't have the nerve to appear in Birmingham so he sent his players in his stead.
But there wouldn't be anything to laugh about this year. Really, there couldn't be.
The Volunteers won 10 games last season and played in the SEC Championship Game. Fulmer's contract was extended through 2012. Nothing funny about that.
And then the Nissan minivan pulled up to the Wynfrey Hotel Thursday morning and Fulmer stepped out in a dark suit and the subpoena really hit the fan.
Within minutes, there were copies of the subpoena all over the place. Everyone had one, all up and down radio row.
The document looked official, too. Issued by a Jackson County Court. Ordering Fulmer to appear at the law firm of Blankenship, Harrelson & Wollitz, LLC on Sept. 25, or two days before the Tennessee-Auburn game.
Naturally, reporters asked Fulmer about the subpoena as he went from interview room to interview room.
"I have not seen all that," Fulmer said. "I have not seen a subpoena."
What? Haven't seen one? When you say "haven't seen" do you mean ...
"I've talked all about that I'm going to talk about that," he said. "If you have a question about a schedule or a team or anything, I'd be glad to talk to you. Otherwise, I'm not talking about it any further."
Suddenly, the day involved a real mystery. Was Fulmer served with a subpoena or was he not?
Reporters discussed this endlessly. They interviewed the guy who served Fulmer. They called the clerk of the court.
And in this fashion, Fulmer turned a totally innocuous document into the story of the day.
The subpoena directs Fulmer to appear for a deposition in connection with a crackpot booster's defamation case against the NCAA. Fulmer is not a defendant in the case. He'll almost certainly be able to get the deposition postponed.
All Fulmer had to do was to tell reporters that, yes, he was served with a deposition and he had no further comment, and that would have been that.
Instead, he denied he had the subpoena. And he got indignant. And he looked ridiculous in the end.
The headline on the Knoxville news story that appeared on the Web: "Fulmer finds subpoena."
C'mon, how hilarious is that?
There is a theme here, too. That's the real problem. The incident dovetails with the general perception of Fulmer of a coach who is struggling to keep up.
The guy had a nice bounce-back year in 2007. He got a contract extension through 2014 that was designed to persuade fans and recruits that Fulmer will be the coach at Tennessee for the long haul.
The strategy won't work. Unless Fulmer wins an SEC title this season, people will continue to wonder how long the guy can last.
He hasn't won a conference title since 1998. In a league of glamour coaches, Fulmer seems increasingly out of place.
Urban Meyer came to Hoover this week with his Heisman Trophy winner. Nick Saban showed up with his No. 1 recruiting class. Mark Richt brought Georgia's No. 1 preaseason ranking. Les Miles had tales of his national championship year.
Fulmer got a subpoena.
Which he promptly lost or mistook for a takeout menu or some such thing.
"He didn't pay attention to what it was," said Hagood.
Hey, we understand.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Memorable moments in Pat Summitt's…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 193
orangeblood writes:
first off, it wasn't "fulmer finds subpoena", it was "slippery subpoena sparks sec sideshow"...lol...john adams and his grammar techniques...
Pullingguard writes:
Why would the KNS publish such a silly-stupid article from the Commercial Appeal... Fulmer should have let the peice of paper fall on the street and into the gutter... The Alabama slum who served the subpoena just tossed it and cut a chooga... Ah, when will the SEC ever get out of Birmingham for it's yearly media meetings.. Adams, you lost a supporter of the past for letting this creep into the KNS sports.
CoverOrange writes:
Hatchet job. Fulmer's reaction is totally reasonable. He isn't a politician.
Calkins is being a jerk. Adams was never this bad.
volsfaninkpt writes:
screw it all... the big orange will rise again to it's highest potential and a sec and national championship this year... just a feeling that i have! besides who is calkins?
mempuss writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
orangebloodgmc writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
nothinglastsforever writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
hbvol writes:
Calkins is a putz. KNS, I expected better from you. If this is the phooey you are going to re-publish then I will stick to the PAY sites which are at least ALL VOL.
To recap:
Urban Meyer came with his heisman winner (lets see, Florida finished 3rd in the East)
Saban showed up with his recruiting #1 recruiting class (Woops, they had to win their last game to avoid a second consecutive losing season)
Mark Richt brought his #1 preseason ranking (Oh yeah, this after getting drilled by UT for the second year in a row. By the way, my high-school team could have beaten Hawaii.)
Les Miles came with tales of his national championship year (If memory serves me right UT was one silly interception away from beating LSU and winning the SEC outright).
I am looking forward to watching UT have a great year and morons like Mr Calkins eat some serious crow.
Oh yeah, I'm also looking forward to a real smackdown in Knoxville later in the year of his paper tigers in BBall.
As they say on the court "Get that weak stuff outta here!"
banman360 writes:
wow. can i write a article about how much the news sentinels staff has screwed itself over and you guys put it on here. seriously. all this does is kick a dead horse. cmon kaplan this is just starting to get ridiculous
utchris writes:
Calkins holds the dubious distinction that Adams holds in Knoxville as one of the most hated. Thing with Calkins though is that he pretty much just hates on everyone (especially TN, but univ of memphis and the grizzlies too). Hard to believe that Vol and Tiger fans both might have something in common.
His articles are usually out there and full of low blows, only to follow up days later (after he looks like an idiot) with a contradicting story.
I famously remember him in Feb proclaiming on local TV a day before the UT-Memphis basketball game that TN was overrated and had 0, yes zero chance of beating Memphis.
Beyond that....I cant get over how Fulmer is taking so much heat over this subpoena. You would think that would fall more towards the attorneys that made this the spectacle it is. Maybe Fulmer really did discard it...not that hard to believe...(he was a little busy)..esp if the person was dressed as a vol fan as reported.
banman360 writes:
i bet the reason they put this on hear is because adams column only has 4 negative comments and its been on here for 4 hours. adams needs the hate to sleep
mlbrown5454 writes:
Love it!
This is just what CPF and the team need for bulletin board material. Oh wait, Geoff and John have their careers promoting other regional teams and found that hounding Fulmer extends their careers. I guess giving each other media awards keeps them going.
Anyway, whatever people's opinions of CPF have been, I think this past week's happenings will rally the team and true UT fans. Was hoping they wouldn't come out unmotivated for UCLA, but I think a new UT will show. A new offense, with a meaner Phil, could mean we actual put more points up. Instead of the old-school ball, we should run the scores up like everyone else.
nothinglastsforever writes:
The world needs ditch diggers, too.
utchris writes:
David Boyd
Sports Editor for the Commercial Appeal
boyd@commercialappeal.com
He is actually a nice guy and would probably appreciate the comments!
andy112382#209793 writes:
Why on Gods green earth was this BS even loaded onto this site?
newtonrail writes:
The Commercial Appeal is owned by the same group that owns the KNS. Any more questions? This is muckraking in it's baser form. I have seen and been involved in situations like Fulmer described getting out of Van, minus the subpoena throwing shyster, and it can be hectic. Why do all writers assume he would lie about? Why would he? The media is primarily the reason Phillip has any "image problem".
nothinglastsforever writes:
The worst part is that this brings attention to this a-hole and his paper. This guy talks about CPF's nerve not to show...he has nerve to write this nonsense. It belongs in the Opinion section be next to the Dear Sally letters; there is no fact to it. This guy might as well be in his mom's basement blogging. Wow.
cdldoc#211897 writes:
What a dipsh-t Newspaper! Drop dead, Adams!
BillVol writes:
Just like Bobby Knight has stayed out of Puerto Rico after a warrant was issued for his arrest there, I don't blame Coach Fulmer for avoiding being in Bammer to prevent being caught up in the Bammer legal system. I'm behind Coach Fulmer all the way on this one. What a joke. Bammer should be embarrassed.
hcjournals#206623 writes:
What a Scripps Howard team playing jackpappy. He is covering for John Adams. They are both owned by Scripps Howard. Suck ups. They are going down for this. We've had it. Stupid. Geoff. Can't even spell it the right way, but his mom told him he was special.........This will lay out well. Geoff getting the back of Jane Adams in Knoxville. We will win this one....Stay tuned........
BSweet writes:
Very sad that this passes as journalism. Have to question KNS's motive behind posting this. Are they trying to alienate readership or did they hope that this twit's overbearing, chest-thumping article would take some heat off Adams. Kaplan, is this your way of trying to say John's not such a bad guy? Were you looking for someone the people would hate more? At this point, if I were Hamilton, I would ban all KNS reporters from the university's athletic facilities and impose an across the board sports blackout on them. I would revoke their press priveleges completely. It certainly appears as if JA's feud with Fulmer has become a sports dept. mandate to hurl as much mud as possible. KNS mngmt- You should seriously consider firing your sports editors. Their job performance is severely lacking and if you allow them to continue on their current path they are going to cause a major decrease in your circulation. Bottomline, this is supposed to be a newspaper, a bastion of journalism, not a sports mud-slinging tabloid.
surlyguy writes:
This is tripe. Who the f#%! cares that Coach Fulmer denied receiving the subpoena for a part of the day other than those thin skinned, agenda driven members of the media that are trying to make something out of nothing? If the writer's panties are in a wod simply because Fulmer initially denied receiving the subpoena, it's a good thing this writer doesn't cover Bill Belichick.
The writer hangs his hat on the supposed unbelievability of Fulmer's denial and throws in a tired dig at Fulmer's size with a reference to Fulmer mistaking the subpoena for a takeout menu (whoo-hoo, never heard a joke about Fulmer's weight now have we?) and offers praise for Richt despite his unbelievable statements that he had nooo idea that his players would clear the bench at Florida, praise for Meyer despite his embarassing references to himself in the third person and his thin-skinned indignation at Georgia's antics, praise for Saban despite him leaving the Dolphins in ruins.
OMG, Fulmer temporarily denied receiving a subpoena, whooo-hoo, what if denies drinking that second cup of coffee, then we'll really have him.
Tripe.
BSweet writes:
And to add further, I find it deeply embarassing that this is supposed to be a website for Vol fans, but instead you are making the trolls jism in glee as you continue to rip our program to shreds with your articles, while singing the praises of our rivals. I'm moved to the point where I am seriously considering canceling my subscription to the paper and finding another fan site where I can share my enthusiasm for the Vols with other fans. I really hope the overbearing attitude you have adopted bites you in the behind and starts costing you sponsors. When the money starts to fade, then you will come to realize just what complete hacks you have become.
VolsorCat writes:
It is bad enough that the CA printed this in Memphis, but for the KNS to pick it up and put it on this site is unbelievable. Come on KNS! If you want to print a hatchet job on Fulmer, have the guts to write it yourself and put your name on it. The only thing missing was "Bush is an Idiot". How about some more Stabler articles........just kidding....
Observer43 writes:
John Adams.....is responsible for this article on this site. He is the Editor. I used to be indifferent to JOhn Adams, but now it looks like he has an agenda. Why else would he only publish articles from other news sources that back his position?
rab writes:
Bottom line is Alabama football "cheated". If my memory serves me correctly (so much time has passed)intentionally. I have always found it interesting how innocent people are scared more the culprit. It doesn't matter if it is murders,terroist,rapist or cheating football programs it is always the guys that makes the arrest, serves the warrant or testify's of guilt that gets the scrutiny or worse. If you lie with dogs you will get fleas, that is the history of Alabama football, post Bear Bryant.
alfrizzle097 writes:
The thing these illiterate morons forget is that he had no reason to recall the incident. With all the hats and jerseys that were being shoved at him for autographs (I would imagine), why wouldn't he assume a blank envelope was just more fan/hate mail. In the same situation I would have thought the same thing. It is absolutely ridiculous to lead on like Fulmer should have known that a random unmarked envelope was a subpoena.
You see, in civilization we don't do that to people. We don't plan every detail to embarras a coach just because of a petty feud. And why wouldn't he assume it was just a joke meant to get under his skin? I mean, isn't that pretty much what the law suit is?
I swear, John Adams is may be responsible for publishing this, but the general editor is responsible for letting this nonsense continue.
Which by the way folks, tragically stuff like this won't cost them readers. Watch CNN, Fox News, even ESPN. CONTROVERSY=CIRCULATION
bigtimevol writes:
The tail is waggin' the dog! Isn't the name of this site "GOVOLS.COM"???, not "Gofindbamawriters", not "Gobashyourheadcoach", not "IloveSabanandTebow.com"....Guarantee that sites for Bama,Ga,Fl don't bash their teams the way KNS does. Any potential tidbit of a negative is drawn out for days. Why in the WORLD are we still reading about a nonsense subpoena three days later. And who cares if he remembers seeing it or doesn't. If he did remember getting it, then he OBVIOUSLY denied getting it to try and not have it turn into another circus. Support the team or rename the website!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think I've had enough of this site.
ladivolfan writes:
Actually, the dog didn't eat the subpoena. Smokey pee'd on it.
87UTVOL writes:
When Chris Low wrote for the Tennessean, the Tennessean had better UT coverage than the News-Sentinel. Apparently, the News Sentinel Sports editors/writers are now so lacking in content that they have to re-print columns and stories from other papers. If you're going to copy day-old columns from other papers...at least pick good ones, not phooey like this.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
The headline is typical of the shoddy, silly and stupid writing that goes for journalism these days...'plague'. This is not a plague that is plagueing Fulmer anymore than most of the 'crlsis' headlines we see everywhere qualify as crisis. This is a stupid stunt by a stupid Alububba alum supported by an Ambulance chasing law firm. Just look at Alabama's response...they're embarassed by the whole charade.
How long and how far are you, KNS, going to push your anti Fulmer which really translates to anti Tennessee football agenda?
There's a lot of stories that could have been told instead of this garbage...how about some info on Cory Hall, Sykes, the encredible and perhaps unnecessary journey that Williams has had to take due to NCAA silliness. How about a story about how these kids are sticking with their commitment through all of their challenges. Or how about some real investigative journalism about what this subpeona really is and as reported elsewhere that Fulmer may not actually ever have to appear for it.
I've had my doubts about KNS sports in general and Adams in particular, but this is a new low for KNS. What an embarassment for Tennessee fans...not Fulmer but you.
rudydog1#205592 writes:
This is another classic example of a "journalist" actually thinking what he has to say really matters.
It is no wonder newspapers are losing readers.....
tnlady writes:
Why is an article like this posted on GOVOLSXTRA? I guess it is the XTRA part that qualifies this garbage. I have had to move to KY over this past summer and will always be a VOL fan. I look for this site to keep up with the happenings of UT sports. If I wanted to keep up with FLA,LSU,BAMA I would go to those sites. Sports editors for KNS need to decide who they are posting stories for.. the true TN fans or the personal agenda. I don't visit other sites of schools sports because I am not a fan of those teams. Not sure why we have haters of other schools visiting and posting on this site unless again personal agenda hidden by a poser.Can we please get back to why we come here(not hear>as bama wrote)to this site....for the love of the VOLS!
bob.bigorange#605842 writes:
well once again, the NS shows its true colors - and they ain't orange, or support orange.
vut56#231073 writes:
First, how sick (most of us) are; we read this phooey, have a reaction and rather than regret we read it in the first place, join in the chorus of creating more phooey.
First, kindergarten, elementary logic: Fulmer knows what a subpoena is; Fulmer knows, having learned the hard way, the folly of getting caught in some "...gate," Fulmer knows how he will be made to appear, if he slips getting off a plane (a.k.a.President Ford.) Given even a whiff of common sense, any news person mildly interested in the truth would understand that when Fulmer said he had not received a subpoena, he did not know a subpoena was in his pile of "stuff." What is one whit of logic that he would choose to say otherwise to conceal the fact?
Those who choose to "caricaturize" anyone are cartoonists, not reporters; not news editors. Fulmer, probably not considering himself leading man material, makes a better target than some other SEC coaches (only arguably). However, I will bet you my farm on this: line up every SEC coach in the Tennessee Drill, and I will make that bet that Fulmer will clean their plow; each and every one.
Some people do not like Jesus; some did not like Thomas Jefferson or Abraham Lincoln; some do not like Fulmer. I will further bet the majority of Fulmer baiters who write OR post on this site 1) did not graduate from the University of Tennessee; 2) have never owned season tickets to UT football and 3) do not regularly give their bucks to support the University or its athletic program.
So, if one does not pass the qualification test, one's opinion should be directed toward a coach or school that one does support...or, using "logic," just pass on comments altogether.
invisiblekid writes:
What else is he going to write about, Memphis football??
Innocuous: not likely to give offense or to arouse strong feelings or hostility.
Unless you're from Alabama, the last word almost anyone except Mr. Calkins would use to describe this subpoena is innocuous.
khelton657 writes:
Total B$, not a Fulmer fan here but this is bull and the Knoxville News Sentinel just dropped all the notches left by promoting drivel such as this. The whole article reads like a forum post, disappointing on KNS part.
stroker writes:
This article is not unlike a middle schoolers attempt at a charter assassination hate letter.
It has no reasson to be in print anywhere and its presence revels the poor judgment of the responsible party.
turner_c writes:
John Adams, I will applaud the day you leave the state of Tennessee forever.
ladivolfan writes:
Here's the bottom line. Controversy sells. Negative reaction proves readership. Selling more papers and getting more interest in websites generate income through advertising. It's all about the money for KNS. They're not exactly a non-profit organization and you can't blame them for trying to raise the bottom line.
stuckintusca writes:
Pathetic article, great comments (at least 'til the little lizard showed up).
volnknox writes:
Fulmer fans=
Now do you see the true character of fulmer?
he's a liar!!!!!!!
I am a volfan ( not a fulmer fan )
So go ahead and post some junk about me, but remember- Most of the stuff John adams has written about Fulmer was true!!! Just like this article,
Someone just didn't make this stuff up, it happened!
richvol writes:
Unprofessional, vindictive and a poor effort at trying to make nothing into news.
KNS...you and your entire staff should be embarressed.
BIGEJ writes:
Dribble and drool sells in this day and age
forkball writes:
Bottom line is a bunch free buffet eating nerds, each with his own barrel of ink, got their collective feelings hurt because Fulmer took control from them and refused to participate in this dog and pony show. It caused these 5 star keyboard athletes to scurry around like a bunch of ferrets in a pet store window to confirm the authenticity of the subpeonas they already had copies of, oh the humanity. So now the little girls get to strike back, even Chris Low piled on. Pathetic.
stevefrommemphis writes:
I have been told by a reliable source that Geoff has a law degree from a prestigious school. My theory is that he must write on an elementary school reading level to appeal to a broad audience in Memphis and surrounding areas. Speaking as an East Tennessee native, I must say to Geoff that if you're considering a move to beautiful East Tennessee, I think you would be happier staying in ugly Memphis. Occasionally your articles in Memphis serve a useful purpose by uniting an often fractured community.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
Though Calkins' article is somewhat harsh, I fully agree with this quote: "There is a theme here, too. That's the real problem. The incident dovetails with the general perception of Fulmer of a coach who is struggling to keep up."
He hit the nail on the head with the whole scenario on Thursday which made Fulmer look clueless because he adamantly claimed he didn't know what folks were talking about.
Yes, the subpoena is a sham, along with the whole lawsuit. But, for the time being, the blank stare on his face was akin to the looks on our coaches face when we have no idea on how to stop the other team from moving the ball up 'n down the field--a look I've seen on more than one occasion the past several seasons.
Hopefully, though, Coach Fulmer will have the last laugh.
rootin4volz writes:
I get it now...It's not Mike Hamilton who decides who is our head coach, nor the Board of Trustees. It's all up to John Adams and Geoff Calkins! Talk about a sad state of affairs...those two bozos are running Tennessee Football! What a couple of self-important, egotistical a****les.
volsoutwest writes:
What dribble. If I were Coach Fulmer I would never attend this circus again so long as it were held in Hoovah, Alabammer.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
"Managed to look ridiculous".
Phil, next year, pay the $10,000.00, don't go.
Now hush.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.