Posted by Michael1204 on June 1, 2008 at 11:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Way to try to slide in the Nick Saban comment about him not smiling to kiss up to our rears and get favorable responses to this article. You fail, John, you fail.

Posted by sjt18 on June 2, 2008 at 2:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

That's the first complimentary thing I've seen Adams write about UT football in awhile... albeit imbedded obscurely in a story that apparently no one is reading.

Posted by EricBerryIsYourFather on June 2, 2008 at 7:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Why so much hostility towards Adams. I don't agree with everything he writes but overall he tends to be be a pretty good columnist and is usually somewhat insightful.

Posted by BigOrangeJeff on June 2, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The best line in the whole article: "All you have to do to win a national title is beat Ohio State."

BOJ

Posted by volguy on June 2, 2008 at 8:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"You see all the grey hair," Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said, pointing out a side effect of the competition.

Uh, that's spelled G-R-A-Y, not grey. It's a minor detail, but you would think someone with an LSU degree would know how to spell the word for the color gray. And, you would think that somebody would at least proofread his column before ink hits paper, or, in this case, before words hit the Internet.

Posted by sdye16 on June 2, 2008 at 8:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Way to show what type of a degree you have Volguy. Both "gray" and "grey" are acceptable spellings of the word to describe that color.

Posted by GerryOP on June 2, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Actually volguy, either spelling is proper. But do not let facts, education (or your lack thereof), and knowledge detract from your mindless rants against Adams and the KNS.

Young man, you have a nice day....

Posted by VOLinATL on June 2, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I wish I had nothing better to do than worry about proofreading the KNS....

Posted by TheVolMan on June 2, 2008 at 8:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow, the Weenies are going after JA's spelling... and they're wrong! Some boycott, LOL...

Posted by Dawghater on June 2, 2008 at 8:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

At least he has hair left

Posted by Bigger_Al on June 2, 2008 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Adams: "Coach Saban! Coach! Did you hear me on Finebaum's show trashing UT? I"m a celebrity on Alabama radio, just like you! Coach! Wanna go out for some hot dogs? Coach?"

Posted by BigOrangeJeff on June 2, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

John Adams would give Saban a ride to the airport.

Posted by TommyJack on June 2, 2008 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

volguy: 8:06 Not so fast my friend.
http://www.bernzilla.com/item.php?id=232

Posted by Pullingguard on June 2, 2008 at 10:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Where do all these salamanders hide during the day until they can post their quirky remarks and be negative on anything that Admas writes? Why don't you just quit reading his column, which will give you more time for the funny papers. Oh, John does not always give us the best, but it's that time of year, little to write about and less to talk about on sports, especially if you are a football zonie. Give the guy an A for effort.

Posted by pdhuff on June 2, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wonder how many coaches wore their muscle shirts at the beach? Do they still sell Ray-Bans?

Spelling! I stare at spell check in wonderment sometimes.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on June 2, 2008 at 10:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Coach Foolmore would like to wish everyone a great complacent summer from Jackson Hole, WY. We won the East last year, made some coaching staff changes, spring practice went well, and we have lots of starters returning. All is well, time to sit back and relax until fall practice.

Posted by Silent_Fulmer on June 2, 2008 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

WOW! - The top four teams in the SEC East - Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and South Carlolina - all should be improved.

We won the East last year and should be improved! this is good news.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on June 2, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I can't wait to be outscored in conference play again and try to win the East this year. I mean, that will happen 2 years in a row. That's how Foolmore planned it out all along last year.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on June 2, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FYI of the day....Rick Neuheisel has a more recent conference championship as head coach than our beloved Coach Foolmore and he didn't coach for like 2 years at all and was an NFL assistant for 2 years. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on June 2, 2008 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

vols72, I'll let you know when we are done so you can eat the biscuit.

Posted by volroadwarrior on June 2, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'll take getting out scored, but winning a championship any day of the week.

Posted by RJ_Vol on June 2, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Workin'. Is that a joke? Sometimes it's hard to tell on the bulletin board. If it isn't... Neuheisel had 51 NCAA violations(mostly recruiting) during 4 years as Colorado head coach - prior to his stay at Washington. The Buffs' were put on 2 years' probation. I'm not even going to discuss his stay at Washington.

Posted by BigOrangeJeff on June 2, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Whackin'ItLikeHeck mentions Coach Fulmer's vacations in Jackson Hole in every third post. He's just sore that he can't afford to vacation there.

BOJ

Posted by Silent_Fulmer on June 2, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No, BOJ, I just think were all jealous that our football coach thinks he is an elitist and he thinks the fans are dumb enough to buy his "workinlikeheck" mentality.

Posted by imw8n4u on June 2, 2008 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I guess there's the proof that silent and workin are 1 and the same.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on June 2, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Neuheisel has a more recent conference title than Foolmore. LOL!!!!!

Posted by BigOrangeJeff on June 2, 2008 at 4:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by Silent_Fulmer on June 2, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No, BOJ, I just think were all jealous that our football coach thinks he is an elitist and he thinks the fans are dumb enough to buy his "workinlikeheck" mentality.
__________________________________________________

Wow, now we are blessed with mind readers on GVX. Watch out Miss Cleo, Silent_Flatulence is after your job!!!

Thanks, though, for admitting that you're jealous of Coach Fulmer. That speaks volumes to the source of your hatred.

BOJ

Posted by BigOrangeVol on June 2, 2008 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Same tired, retread, droning and pedantic song – 726th verse. So perspicacious! It’s analogous to listening to some guy tell the same joke for 20 years because it’s the only one he can remember and he still thinks he’s clever. Such a pity.
Yawn.

Jerkin’ it’s time to finally get over your man-crush on John Terrill Majors! In 28 years as a head coach he had 1 National Championship and 3 SEC Titles; whoopty-freakin’-do! Only four of his teams in 28 years were ever ranked in the Top 10! But it’s his record that was so impressive… a 55.7 winning percentage and 12 losing seasons (43%) in his career. Even if you took out all of his losing season and only counted his BEST 14, his winning percentage was only 71.6 while Phillip has a 14 year 76.6%. Coach Fulmer has given us six teams ranked in the Top Ten final Poll and only once in 14 years were we NOT ranked in the final Top 25. He’s won 76% of his SEC games compared to Majors 57%. Can we improve? Obviously. Do I long for the days of those nostalgic 6-5 or 7-4 seasons… NEVER. Two double-digit win seasons in 16 years just doesn’t get me excited anymore.

I think I’ll change my screen name to DadgummitWereGonnaWorkHarder and use every article printed on the KNS to slam an arrogant, miserable, mean-spirited alcoholic that blamed all his failures on his players, assistants and changed coordinators more often than his underwear. I just long for the days losing to Bama 73% of the time, only beating Cow College 46% of the time, losing to Army, losing twice to Duke, losing 80% of the time to the Gaytors, losing 44-0 to UGA, losing three times to UK, four times to Ole Miss, losing three in a row to Miserable State, twice to Pitt, RUTGERS and my favorite all-time Majors gem…sitting there thru the entire game watching us get humiliated in the driving rain by Washington State 52-24 and being sick for a month afterwards because I was supporting the Vols come Hell or high water. Ahhh, those were the days. BTW, “working like heck” started with JTM not Fulmer!

Posted by BigOrangeJeff on June 2, 2008 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And Mark Twain has a more recent cognizant thought than Whackin'LikeHeck.

Yeah, Whackin', we saw that post in another thread, and it wasn't funny there, either. Nothing more patheric than a bad comedian laughing at his own jokes - especially when no one else is.

BOJ

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on June 2, 2008 at 4:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

vols72 speaking from his own personal experience. LOL!!!!!!

BOJ, you little conspiracy theorist you. Yeah, Jackson Hole, WY is a really expensive getaway. LOL!!!!!!

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on June 2, 2008 at 5:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Who said I was longing for Majors? He has 3 SEC titles. Comparing his coaching career to what he took over at the powerhouse known at Iowa State to the mess he inherited at Pitt that was 1-10 before his arrival. Not to mention the lack of talent he inherited at Tennessee when he took over for Bill Battle. I mean Fulmer took over a program that had won 2 of the previous 3 SEC championships. I see how they were comparable situations. I forget that Fulmer has a losing records against every relevant coach in the SEC right now.

Posted by BigOrangeJeff on June 2, 2008 at 5:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hi, I'm Whackin'LikeHeck. LOL!!!!

I laugh at my own "jokes". LOL!!!!

My life is so pathetic, I have to tear down others to feel better about my miserable existence. LOL!!!!

The only value I find in my life is from the number of responses I get on this board. LOL!!!!

I'm a sad, strange, inadequate little man. LOL!!!!

I have to cherry-pick statistics in order to make my points. LOL!!!!

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on June 2, 2008 at 5:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BOJ, do you usually make a habit of responding to people and making up lame username variations of people who you claim to be are pathetic, little, and inadequate on the internet?

Posted by BigOrangeJeff on June 2, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Nothing against Majors, but didn't he sign something like 88 freshmen to schollys his first year at Pitt? By the time they were seniors, they had 150 on scholarships. They should have won the MNC. I believe the scholarship limits were put in place just for that reason.

BTW, how many SEC coaches did Majors have losing records against?

BOJ

Posted by BigOrangeJeff on June 2, 2008 at 5:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Whackin',
No, just those who really are pathetic and inadequate.

BOJ

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on June 2, 2008 at 5:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BOJ admits he responds to people he thinks need to get a life. LOL!!!!!

Posted by BigOrangeJeff on June 2, 2008 at 5:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Where did I say to get a life? LOL!!!!

Posted by murrayvol on June 2, 2008 at 6:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Grey or gray? Small potato(e)s when your, yore, and you're are used here interchangably on a regular basis?

Posted by DCSOvol on June 2, 2008 at 7:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Workin, you just keep on telling it like it is. Some of these weenies think that winning the East is just dandy. Kinda like the Special Olympics. You know, "Its alright, you tried". I remember real UT football, like the 90s. The last 7 years' team couldn't hold a candle to 1990-1999. This is what happens when mediocrity sets in and people forget excellence. Our idea of a West Coast offense is two crappy quarterbacks from the Left Coast. Knoxville John Adams is right!

Posted by DCSOvol on June 2, 2008 at 7:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Of course, those of you who want to slam Majors don't remember that you wanted to hang him after better seasons than last year, 2003 or 2005. Fulmer is a POS. As a coach and as a person. Losing Rodney Garner and Cutcliffe exposed him.

Posted by Bigger_Al on June 2, 2008 at 8:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We were lucky to get Johnny to the stadium in any condition.

If you look at the data:
The '92 team was 5-3 with Johnny as Head Coach, with wins @LSU, Cincinnati, Memphis, UK, and @Vandy, And STUNNING losses to Arkansas and @South Carolina to go along with his 7th consecutive loss to Alabama.

The '92 team was 4-0 with Phil as Head Coach, with 3 wins as an underdog against Florida, @Georgia, and in the Hall of Fame/Outback bowl against Boston College to go with a SW La win.

Posted by pdhuff on June 2, 2008 at 8:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, just as long as we don't "loose" any games.

We beat Richt and Lindy's says he at 79%+. He usually "looses" to us every year.

Man, if I can figure it out, I don't pay much attention to the "looses".

Free TDTN.

Posted by ncvol on June 2, 2008 at 9:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Go Vols....

Posted by rootin4volz on June 2, 2008 at 11:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Here's an idea, John...maybe we can have those SEC teams paid to beat YOU up.

Posted by DCSOvol on June 3, 2008 at 12:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Johnny was also coming off major heart surgery and near death and had an offensive coordinator who had poisoned the well for him. And 2 years removed from a Sugar Bowl appearance in a season with the nation's toughest schedule. I hope Johnny lives to see Fat Boy fired.

Posted by sjt18 on June 3, 2008 at 6:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

No one poisoned the well for Johnny but Johnny... Time to get over it.

Once again, living legends don't get the boot because they get sick or because some upstart coordinator wants a promotion. If the guy had done nothing wrong, he wouldn't have lost his job.

I hope Johnny lives to forgive and take responsibility... rather than wallowing in the bitterness some seem to love so well.

Posted by pdhuff on June 3, 2008 at 8:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wonder if the Bruins have someone who can keep up with the days?

Probably not.

Free TDTN.

Posted by pdhuff on June 3, 2008 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wonder if the Bruins have someone who can keep up with the days?

Probably not.

Free TDTN.

Posted by pdhuff on June 3, 2008 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wonder if the Bruins have someone who can keep up with the days?

Probably not.

Free TDTN.

Posted by volguy on June 3, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

For those who decided to take me on regarding my correction of John Adams' use of the word "grey" as opposed to "gray" in his column, you need to know that we're not talking dictionary usage here, but AP (Associated Press) Stylebook usage.

Here is the entry from the online version of AP Stylebook: "gray not grey. But: greyhound."

Soooooo, being that John Adams writes for a daily newspaper in Knoxville, AP Stylebook usage reigns supreme unless the KN-S has a superseding of this usage in its local stylebook, which is highly unlikely.

I also realize that it's a minor detail, as I mentioned in my original post, but I would hate for those of you who decided I was wrong to live out the rest of your lives being misdirected when it comes to the usage of "gray" and "grey" in a newspaper article. Remember, we're not talking about dictionary usage here.

And, by the way, GerryOP, thanks for calling me a young man. I haven't been called one of those in two or three decades!!!

Posted by Bigger_Al on June 3, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"Johnny was also coming off major heart surgery and near death"...

That's the problem I had with him coming back against his Dr.'s advice. He should have let UT win the East in the first year there was an East to win. He decided he would rather UT lose the East with him than win the East while he properly recovered.

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on June 3, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It's very, very sad that we are still crying about Johnny Walker Red Majors' getting fired almost two decades after the fact.

Don't get me wrong, I was a fan of Johnny Majors. I am a young guy, 35. I've always said that my ideal for a US President was influenced by Ronald Reagan and my ideal for a football coach came from Johnny Majors...that's because these are the men I grew up looking up to as heroes.

But by the time I was 20 or so, when Majors was fired, I was old enough to not see him through the rose colored glasses of youth. He was a very flawed man with a huge ego. Same affliction that soooo many "living legends" suffer from. He did have a drinking problem and he WAS a mediocre coach. I still think it funny that the glory days that many of you yearn for came under the guidance of CPF, not CJM.

Posted by TommyJack on June 3, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

vol_in_lsu: Johnny Majors was way beyond a mediocre coach. As for "he was a very flawed man with a huge ego"...sounds like your practicing up for an autobiography.

Posted by DCSOvol on June 3, 2008 at 11:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Mediocre, hell! He built UT from the ground up. I have no illusions of Johnny being an angel. Sure he had his demons. Even Bear Bryant ended up in rehab. Those guys were from a different era. Johnny's time may have been coming, but it still makes me sick to see what transpired when he went down. The Fat Boy took advantage of the situation and made sure that he cut his throat wide open. He was on the phone with the boosters soon as Johnny hit the ER. What a POS! Even though I love my Big Orange, I will never have any love for Fat Boy (my nickname for him since 1992). Without Rodney Garner and Cutcliffe, he has been laid open for all to see, a very mediocre head coach.

Posted by DCSOvol on June 3, 2008 at 11:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh, and I have yet to see anything about the racist comments written anywhere. That smacks of urban legend. Yeah, he loved the sauce, but he still gave us plenty to cheer for. And he may just have won a title if he didnt receive the Monica Seles treatment.

Posted by DCSOvol on June 3, 2008 at 11:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes, Johnny came back against his doctor's advice becuase he knew what Fulmer was up to. He was getting phone calls while he was in the hospital. Watch some of the old footage from the time. You could see Majors almost visibly wince every time Fat Boy was mentioned.

Posted by TommyJack on June 3, 2008 at 12:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DCSO: I never heard the racial stuff either. Doubt he was racist. If he was, I doubt he was stupid enough to make racist comments in public.

Posted by TheVolMan on June 3, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Weenie Brother rootin4volz, good job keeping up the Weenie boycott! You're also a great contributor to the Moronic Inferno. Be sure to continue to avoid JA's columns as you've done! LOL...

Posted by pdhuff on June 3, 2008 at 2:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Free Everybody!

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on June 3, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ

OK then, if Majors was far from mediocre the CPF must be Rockne reincarnated. The records speak for themsleves. Even the last decade of Fulmer's career, as mediocre as it is supposed to be, is comparable to Majors'. Add the 90's and he surpasses him.

Posted by TommyJack on June 3, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

yeah, vol_in. He's great.

Posted by DCSOvol on June 3, 2008 at 4:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Everyone forgive me, but I know I'm beating a 16 year old dead horse. I happen to know Johnny Majors personally, so I have a little more insight into that particular situation than most. I just cannot stomach the Fat Boy. Hell, I was so disgusted by the situation that I didn't even watch UT from 1993 to 1997 because of it. I started missing the team, so I just had to ignore him and enjoy the players. I'm done ranting. Just don't ask me to love the obese one. I still love it when we win and hate it when we lose.

Posted by TommyJack on June 3, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DCSO: I'm hoping that some day, a Knoxville or Nashville writer will have the stones to write a tell-all about the coup. It would, of course, have to be after CPF's retirement, or there would be a reprisal. I, for one, would like to get the straight skinny on this one.

Posted by DCSOvol on June 3, 2008 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It would have to be someone from Memphis. UT would hammer any paper but the CA. Heck, look at the price the KNS is paying for John Adams. They have been made to write rah-rah pieces for the past three months.

Posted by DCSOvol on June 3, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Lets just say that Johnny would not have come back until 1993 if Fat Boy would not have started his shenanigans.

Posted by 99gator on June 3, 2008 at 4:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i have asked y'all before what happened in 1992.

it never made sense to me. the response i remember getting from y'all was that it was a touchy subject and that it depended on your personal feelings at to how you looked at it. because, for a lot of people it was personal and still is.

all i knew was that majors was supposedly tennessee football. he played there and a lot of people thought he was robbed of the heisman. he was also the most successful coach tennessee had (at that time) since the glory days (correct me if i'm wrong)

i don't remember him resigning. i don't remember him being fired. all of a sudden fulmer was coach. i still don't know who gets official credit for the W-L in 1992. do those belong to majors or fulmer? who does tenn credit them to?

never seen a situation like it before or since. was there ever a press conference or any official statement released by the university, majors, or fulmer? was majors in the last year of his contract?

from the outside, i still don't get it. is there an article in an archive somewhere that someone has a link to.

Posted by TommyJack on June 3, 2008 at 5:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99: Beats me. I was far away (still am) when it happened. If there has been a good, impartial synopsis of what happened, it escaped me. The UTAD holds a lot of sway with journalists. That's why it tickles me plumb to death when Adams rocks the boats. (applying body armor now)

Posted by DCSOvol on June 3, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thats the problem, Gator. The night before the Memphis game in 1992, he resigned. Fulmer was then the coach. What happened behind the scenes is a matter of perspective, and NOTHING has ever been put in the papers about it. You really have to know someone who was present in the athletic department to get any insight as to what happened. Johnny would not talk about it publicly because he did not want to drag the program in the mud. Fat Boy had his new toy and moved on. From my sources, things were mighty ugly between the two about October of 1992. Read some of my earlier posts, if you want one side of it.

Posted by DCSOvol on June 3, 2008 at 5:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Basically what happened was that Johnny had a heart attack before the 1992 season and damn near died. Fulmer took over as interim coach and had some success, going 4-0. Johnny, against the advice of his doctors, came back to the sidelines way too soon, and clearly was not himself. He lost to Bama, Ark, and SC in what were some shocking losses. What happened behind the scenes is a matter of opinion, but lets just say that Fat Boy got the job. The outcome split the Big Orange Nation for years, and some still hate Fulmer. Ill leave it at that.

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

gator: By now you know this is complicated and any explanation will be shaded one way or the other. Too many layers to go into here but IMO 1992 events were simply the flashpoint for a lot of things that happened over the previous 16 years. When Majors came home after the NC at Pittsburg most Vol fans expected a Bryantesque dynasty w/championships galore. Didn't happen. At least not for awhile and then only sporadically. We had moments: The 85' Sugar Bowl, 4 in a row over Bama, the Miracle at South Bend. But they didn't last. It seemed ironic that the end came after he fielded his best teams 1989-92. It's been 18 years and I still can't fathom how the 90' team lost 2 and tied 2. Some would say Johnny didn't play well with others. Can't speak to that. Met him but didn't know him personnally. He would likely tell you that he's not a politician. All I know is he was my first sports hero in the mid 50s and warts and all he still is.

I could go on but you get the picture. TJ's right that someone who knows should put pen to paper but I don't see that happening soon.

In closing I recall what a member of the Athletic Board said to a small group of Vol fans (I was not among them) in 1976. "We're going to bring Johnny back but we better hope he wins because if we ever have to get rid of him there'll be hell to pay." He was right.

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on June 3, 2008 at 9:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99Gator.
First, you say your impression was that Majors was the best coach since Neyland. Well, if you go strictly by winning percentage this is debateable..especially if you consider the length of his tenure. Most people actually consider Doug Dickey the most successful UT coach sans CPF and Robert Neyland. He inherited the disaster that Bowden Wyatt created. First season was a losing one but he quickly turned it around and by the end of his 6 year stint had two SEC championships and if I'm not mistaken a non-consensus NC is credited him.

Majors also took over a limping program from Bill Battle, though Battle's record wasn't so poor as much as trending good to bad (arguably his early success was because of Dickey)...However, it took Majors NINE YEARS (I think) to win an SEC championship...SugarVols season of 85. Very great team, and undoubtedly we had some good teams before them, but the best season up to then was 9-3 and tied for third when Reggie White played.

Then, not too much later, Majors had his disasterous 5-6 season in 88 with no bowl appearance. (Sounds familiar eh?) This disgruntled fans but within short order the 89,90 seasons brought 2 more SEC championships (one a tie for first) So Majors had three SEC titles in about the same time frame that Fulmer had two, though Fulmer did bring home the BCS trophy. Realize this though, the entire Majors era was interspersed with mediocre 6-5, 7-4-1, and 8-4 seasons.

The rub...The "firing" came at the heels of these SEC Championships and a 9-3 season the next season. The feeling was that Johnny had built the program up to a SEC contender after a turnaround. This may have been true, but he also had the Bama nemesis kinda like Fulmer with Florida. Understand, losing to Florida is bad news for Vols, but losing to Bama has probably brought on suicidal thoughts amongst the most zealous. We will NEVER hate Florida quite as much as Bama, It's the way of the world and keeps the balance of the universe and the planets aligned (ha).

Fulmer interimed that fateful year and had an outstanding, no DOMINATING start. Remember Heath Shuler in the rain? We had a great team that year, no reason to lose to South Carolina (bottom dweller and BRAND NEW TO THE SEC from the ACC)..then we lost to Bama too, OUCH! This was after Majors came back prematurely. WHY? his own ego.

You can see it two ways...Either he really was being undermined and he knew it...OR, he got really paranoid seeing his "understudy" winning so big. My view is that Fulmer was just doing his job and the buzz was that he was better on gameday thus some fans started wanting a change. My view is that Fulmer would have gladly stepped back in the wings...that Majors, in his paranoia, did himself in. If he had just taken the time to recover, he would have had his team waiting for him for a bowl game. But he came in and fouled everything up. The rest is history.

Posted by 99gator on June 3, 2008 at 9:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

y'all are explaining the mood and general situation at the time....

DCSOvol gave the specific statement that majors resigned after the memphis game in 1992.

did majors have a resignation letter? did majors have a press conference? did tenn have a press conference announcing phil fulmer as new head coach?

did the tenn media even bother to ask any questions about the situation at the time (i.e. at the press conference, if it existed)

can't imagine this happening today without a flood of questions from everywhere.

and who gets credit for the wins and losses.

it seems to me that part of the angst, was not just that whatever happened, happened.....but, that people were left to come up with their own beliefs as to what really happened because nothing was reported. hard to heal a wound like this when no one even knows what really happened.

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on June 3, 2008 at 10:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gator, I want to amend my "epistle" of a post (meant to be informative) to add that I am in no way a detractor of CJM's accomplishments. He is and will always BE Tennessee Football. I personally think he was done dirty...but not because he was backstabbed. I think it was a business decision pure and simple and I think it was heavily influenced by the fan forum of the day (call in shows). The problem I have with it is the change it demonstrated in SEC football which followed suit with the rest of the country. "NFLization" I call it. No longer was any SEC school an academic athletic insitution...it was a business pure and simple. No love for family, no sympathy for a living legend. What drives this? Fan zealousy, eager boosters, $$$$$$$cash$$$$$. Johnny Majors and Gene Stallings were the last SEC coaches I remember wearing a blazer and tie on the sidelines. This is a trivial thing, but it spoke to the old fashioned/classy history of the SEC. Coaches represented their team out on the field. Wearing a blazer and tie was professional. Nowadays coaches wear everything from ponchos to sweatshirts. Just a minor point. NCAA football changed when Johnny Majors and Gene Stallings left the conference.

Posted by TommyJack on June 3, 2008 at 10:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99: The truth is out there.

Vol_in_lsu: Why use 50 words when 5,000 will do?

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on June 3, 2008 at 10:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gator. Fulmer gets credit for the games he coached, period. Majors takes the blame (and record) for those losses.

I don't remember any press conference details, but what would you expect? Would you expect Dickey to announce "Today Johnny Majors resigned after the backstabbing incident orchestrated by myself and Coach Fulmer"...assuming that it indeed was a backstabbing?

It basically went as any formal press release would go. Majors' health issues were given as partial reason for the resignation. I would imagine that Dickey said that it was a mutual agreement, that Majors felt he needed to step aside for the good of the program...all very professional, noble, proper and respectful. I don't remember Coach Majors actually saying anything, just press released from his resignation letter or such. I use the word "fired" because in my heart of hearts I know that he was asked to step aside (same thing in my book). And with that kind of slap in the face, why would he want to continue coaching, especially with his health problems? He was certainly hurt and felt betrayed. But I don't think it was Fulmer as much as Dickey.

Finally, this thread underscores Gator what some of us have been saying all along. The shenanigans on this site are from a small but vocal crowd who never got past this, period. If you notice, even Doug Dickey is hated by many on this site. He's accused of being a tool and a money hungry scumbag. He has connections to this football league that they tryed to get in Neyland this year, and some of these guys couldn't wait to throw out the insults.

So, hopefully you'll read the BS on this site with a little clearer understanding of the background and the nature of the "naysayers". Ashley has it nailed when he (or she?) mentions the Majors grudge.

Posted by 99gator on June 3, 2008 at 10:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

people don't like their heroes trashed.

for some people, i'm sure fulmer is a hero. a younger fan sees the winning percentage and the national title and probably hates seeing fulmer trashed too.

the nature of heroes.

Posted by DCSOvol on June 3, 2008 at 11:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gator, Johnny did make his announcement at a press conference the night before the game. Majors, Dickey, and the rest fielded NO questions as to the circumstances surrounding this event. Left everybody scratching their heads.

Posted by DCSOvol on June 3, 2008 at 11:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I believe that the one thing that would make this better would be for #45 to be hoisted to the upper deck forever. In the words of John Ward, "It's time".

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on June 3, 2008 at 11:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I was at the Tennessee Legends Reunion video shoot a few years ago in Nashville. Fulmer was on crutches from a fall practice accident where a player fell into his knee. Dickey was also there. Majors shows up and Dickey is standing in the doorway. I didn't know what was going to happen when Majors came through the door. Majors extended a hand and gave Dickey a hug like two old friends. Majors and Fulmer never spoke a word to each other the whole day. Between breaks on the set, they would go into separate areas and didn't even make eye contact. Majors was talking to everyone even guys like Tee MArtin, Darwin Walker, Will Overstreet. HE told all of them if they were ever in PIttsburgh or if they needed help making contacts to give him call and he gave them his number.

Posted by DCSOvol on June 3, 2008 at 11:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Is the Legends video worth the price? I have been wanting to see it.

Posted by DCSOvol on June 3, 2008 at 11:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah, there is still no love lost between JTM and PF.

Posted by DCSOvol on June 3, 2008 at 11:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I believe the animosity is one of the reasons 45 is still in use.

Posted by TommyJack on June 3, 2008 at 11:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

His # should be retired. Period.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on June 4, 2008 at 12:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

DCSO, not really...I think it's like 80 bucks or so. I'd just wait until it comes down in price. It was a great behind the scenes experience but I don't even own a copy. I am in the credits though.

Posted by Colliervol on June 4, 2008 at 12:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, the KNS guys managed to avoid the obligatory Majors article for about 3 months but I knew somebody would screw it up. +1 on lsuvol's comments. He hit it directly on the nose. There's just a built-in prejudice about this situation that a vocal minority will never get over.

I don't know if it was a back-stabbing or not but that's irrelevant to me. Didn't care then and don't care now. All I know is it was time for Johnny to go and the door didn't hit him in the butt quick enough for me.

Now, do us all a favor and see if you can go another six months without beating this dog again.

Posted by drakosben1 on June 4, 2008 at 1:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

J Adams is afraid of losing. Period. So he just laughs and jokes and rests on his laurels. Heck we all do it. But he does it and gets away with it. And it just galls us that we care so much and he cares so little. To him , it's just a job, a pastime, to us a passion. Hell, we just want one of ours in his place, that's all. All of these journalists who write and hide behind their objectivity, their non bias, their sense of fair play, that they can't afford to play favorites, it's not being objective. To hell with objectivity!! If we can do better with someone else than Fulmer, then we sure as heck can do better with someone else than Adams, too! What do you think Adams wrote the article on firing Fulmer for? And what does that show about "your" John? We don't have that much against John, but don't you think he gets tired of looking at himself in the mirror? But as long as there is smoke, there are mirrors, and that's where big john will be.

Posted by pdhuff on June 4, 2008 at 6:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We should also retire 39 point losses to Fla and take a hard look at a little rectification of 41-17 trouncings by Bama. Keep the gnat pooting at Vandy FG trys , however.

Free TDTN.

Posted by DCSOvol on June 4, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What happened to TDTN?

Posted by DCSOvol on June 4, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Amen, huff. I see this year as having two potential outcomes. One, Clawson breathes some life into the offense and the talent level we have recruited starts to show. The other, we stay the course and get pummeled by UF, UA, Auburn, and UGA and Fat Boy goes on to manage a Krispy Kreme in retirement. Who knows.

Posted by DCSOvol on June 4, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ, the university will not retire 45 until Fulmer is gone. I don't think they want to bring that back up again until after CPF is gone.

Posted by TommyJack on June 4, 2008 at 12:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DCSO: Probably true, but cowardly.

Posted by pdhuff on June 4, 2008 at 5:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ, its just PC for CPF.

Posted by TommyJack on June 4, 2008 at 5:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PD: CPF should push to get it done, PDQ, IMO.
We need to bind these wounds ASAP. LOL

Posted by pdhuff on June 4, 2008 at 9:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe UT could buy a blimp to circle the stadium shaped like a .....

I can't do it.

HFIC wouldn't like it, not PC. See SNAFU potential this fall, post-doldrums.

Think I'll go study the video of the 1 finger leap with aerial switch optional.

Posted by Bigger_Al on June 4, 2008 at 9:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

drakosben1 on June 4, 2008 at 1:05 a.m.

Outstanding post. Thanks.

Apparently, Adams will always be there to gig the Big Orange nation until he is finally taken away from us by a choice spiral heaved off the side of his head.

Posted by TommyJack on June 4, 2008 at 10:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PD: Run the one with the 3rd overtime finger wave...run it in slo-mo. It's FUBAR.

Posted by Bigger_Al on June 4, 2008 at 10:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Here is the litmus test I used (and use) about who did whom wrong back in 1992:

Where did Johnny's assistant coaches go in 1993? Did they follow the martyr Johnny to Pitt? Or did they stay with the steady Phil at UT?

Answer - They all stayed at UT.

That told me all I needed to know.

Posted by rootin4volz on June 5, 2008 at 12:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey TheVolMan (with the little 'w'): Perhaps you've not 1) read my previous posts where I've told you that I don't READ Johnny-boy's articles, or 2) noticed that all of my comment come strictly from his ridiculous headlines. Maybe we could have all 12 SEC teams beat up John Adams AND YOU, eh? Ya Bozo.

Posted by BigOrangeVol on June 5, 2008 at 1:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

11 points that were left out:

1. JTM never got along with his assistants and fired every coordinator he had except Fulmer. Most of them were stabbed in the back by JTM and made scapegoats for his pitiful record. Most all of those guys went on to be excellent head coaches. He kept Phillip because he couldn’t afford to lose him!

2. JTM never took responsibility for a loss or never gave anyone else credit for a win.

3. Phillip was hired in 1980 and promoted to OC in 1989. '89-'91 coincidently were JTM's best years at UT. Phillip was known as the best recruiter in the country. Until Phillip was hired, JTM's record at UT was 20-23-1. A tie for 4th in the SEC was his best showing and 1 bowl game (Bluebonnet) which we lost (although my buddy Jimmy Streater almost brought us back).

4. The entire coaching staff almost walked out on him at halftime of the '91 Fiesta Bowl but Phillip held them together. The team laid down on JTM because of a racial epitaph he used at Dale Carter after a fumble. Pick even went up to him on the sidelines and told him he needed to apologize to Dale for his remark and was more or less told where to shove it. After that, the game went into the toilet. I think that Andy Kelly was the only one on the field for us that cared about winning or playing the rest of that game and it showed.

5. Phillip was being courted by several major universities including South Carolina and Dickey knew that JTM would get his hat handed to him in recruiting if Phillip was coaching at another SEC school. All the talk, speculation and concern that he would leave left JTM so jealous he couldn’t stand it because one of his underlings was stealing his thunder.

6. JTM wanted a new contract extension and a big fat raise that would have made him the highest paid SEC coach. It was still on the table when he came back from his bypass surgery until he started threatening Dickey.

Posted by BigOrangeVol on June 5, 2008 at 1:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

7. JTM sealed his fate soon after by getting hammered and blowing up on the Athletic Council, MAJOR boosters and the administration at a university function. He was subsequently offered a position within the Athletic Department and he pretty much gave Dickey (HIS BOSS) the finger.

8. The ’92 team LOVED Phillip and they will tell you that it was such a breath of fresh air for them during those first four games and how miserable they were when JTM popped back in because he couldn’t stand that Phillip was getting the credit. It was a difference in being loose and having fun versus being wound up tighter than a watch spring and not having any fun. We started out ranked 22nd then beat SW La, UGA (ranked 14th), Florida (ranked #4) and Cincinnati going into the LSU game ranked #7. JTM beats an unranked LSU on ESPN and we go to #4. Then the wheels come off against unranked Arkansas, Bama beats us as was always the case under JTM and we lose to the unranked freshman mullet-head ponytailed Taneyhill and his Gamecocks. After that game it was a done deal. Heath pulled off a good win in the HOF Bowl against BC to salvage a Top 20 ranking. I heard rumors that if Phillip wasn’t hired or JTM wasn’t fired then a significant portion of the team was going to leave and transfer.

9. If ANYONE at ANY university in ANY capacity ever that ought that they were bigger than the program and the university it was JTM!

10. 90% of Phillips detractors are those that feel he stabbed JTM in the back. What was he supposed to do when offered the head coaching position at this Alma Mater? JTM was out and Phillip had several other offers on the table.

11. And Bigger Al stole my last point about who JTM took with him back to Pitt – nobody!

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on June 5, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

BOJ, all of those things are events I remember hearing stuff about. I've always heard JTM didn't play well with his coaches and that many of his players hated him. You also stole a little thunder about the "coincidence" of CPF taking over as OC at about the same time the program turned around in 89. All of these JTM leg-humpers (thanks Ashley for that analogy) believe CPF owes Majors for his early success in the 90s but the truth is that Majors owes Fulmer for his best seasons late in his tenure.

Posted by pdhuff on June 5, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ, hope this season is not BOHICA.

Posted by TommyJack on June 5, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Without so much as a kiss!

Posted by BigOrangeVol on June 5, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PART 1:

Here's the flip-side from my personal standpoint. My Dad graduated with Majors, although he was six years older. Dad game back from the war and got his Masters on the G.I Bill. I heard all the stories growing up about Majors and the single-wing. Except for his senior year, Majors played on some pretty lackluster teams under marginal coaches Robinson and Wyatt.

Everyone thinks that Majors got screwed on the Heisman too but that argument is debatable. Majors was o a 10-0 team and rushed for 2,550 yards. Even on a bad 2-8 Notre Dame team, Hornung led ND in passing, rushing, scoring, kickoff and punt returns, and punting. He also played defense and led his team in passes broken up and was a second in interceptions and tackles made. But I digress.

Shirley, Elizabeth, Johnny, Mary Lynn, Joe, Bill, Shirley Ann, Larry and Bobby Majors were revered in our home. We were all ecstatic when it looked like JTM was coming home to UT. While I deeply respect Coach Battle it was obvious that the Big Orange Nation wanted their favorite son to come bring us a National Championship so Coach Battle (a Bama grad) got stabbed in the back! BTW, big congratulations go to Coach Battle for receiving the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame's 2008 Outstanding Contributions to Amateur Football Award. You will NEVER hear any former player say a single negative word about Bill Battle!

Just as an aside, I wonder how many remember the “$100 handshake, $2K ticket sales and Puma” probation? Tim McGee, Reggie White and Willie Gault covered up for Majors and Dickey but it was fairly obvious we were caught cheating in ’85.

Posted by BigOrangeVol on June 5, 2008 at 2:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Part 2:

So I supported JTM to the death until September of ’92. Shirley has passed from a heart attack less than a year and a half earlier. JTM had an angioplasty in May but after a stress test showed severe blockage he had to have the 3½ hour quintuple bypass surgery on August 25th, just 11 days before the season opener. On September 21st he’s back at practice and on the 26th he’s up in the press box coaching again one month after a very serious surgery!!!??? He was supposed to take the year off and ’92 was regarded as a rebuilding year anyway. JTM had two years left on his contract. He wanted a three year extension and to be the highest paid coach in the SEC. Had he not shot himself in the foot, he probably would have gotten it. Dickey wasn’t going to meet the terms unless it was obvious that JTM would be able to coach; why would you agree to a contract extension to pay a guy 120K (20% raise from 96K) for five more years unless you were sure that he could do it? In less than eight weeks he had burned all his bridges. His two years were NOT extended and if he didn’t step down and take a job within the Athletic Department then he was going to be fired. The university only owed him his $96K but were generous enough to give him a $600K buyout. I’m sure that it came with some stipulations about smearing the program and staff in public or running to the NCAA with new-found revelations but regardless JTM was well paid to shut his mouth and leave. He grabbed the money and ran back to Pitt with a gargantuan chip on his shoulder and bile in his heart.

I agree whole-heartedly that #45 should be retired. Majors just turned 73 so it is time to do it. If JTM and Phillip could just stand to be in each others presence, shake hands for 15 seconds and smile for the cameras it could be a done deal. Mike Hamilton has tried to heal some of the wounds but Phillip and Johnny will never be on any kind of an amicable basis again. JTM with his massive ego and paranoia has dragged Fulmer through the mud continuously and has instigated this animosity. I have NEVER heard one derogatory word from Phillip about JTM but Majors spewed his accusations and contempt towards Fulmer for years in public. Let’s try and giterdun with the #45 retirement and everyone (especially Vol fans) on both sides of the argument kiss and make up so we can be a family undivided again.

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on June 5, 2008 at 8:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BOJ....VERY well stated. This is exactly what I want, to be an undivided fanbase. THAT is the key to the success of this football program. At least in the 90s, while UT was on a roll, most of the Fulmer haters/Majors lovers kept quiet and enjoyed the success of the program. It wasn't until the so-called slump that their bile was puked up. Sorta wishy-washy isn't it? But I digress...I'm afraid the only salve to heal these wounds will be a complete change in coaching to totally depart from the Fulmer era.

LOL, might be nice to see Peyton reclaim his "Place" but I know that's a pipe dream.

Posted by DCSOvol on June 6, 2008 at 12:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah, the divided fan base will be united when they get rid of the mediocre, back stabbing, Fat Boy

Posted by DCSOvol on June 6, 2008 at 12:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah, the divided fan base will be united when they get rid of the mediocre, back stabbing, Fat Boy

Posted by BigOrangeVol on June 6, 2008 at 4:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DCSO (Davidson County Sheriffs Office?) another Metro-wannabe that couldn't cut it in the bigs? Got a huge case of inferiority complex there don't ya? That explains a lot. NOBODY other than Majors has ever suggested that Phillip stabbed Johnny in the back... except those that long for a return to the grand 5-6 seasons.

BTW, Majors was STILL the head coach after he announced his "retirement" and he was even planning to coach the HOF Bowl game until a week before the game.

Posted by TommyJack on June 6, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BOV: I wouldn't say "nobody other than Majors has ever suggested that Phillip stabbed Johnny in the back.." It has been said forever. By many.
Problem is...getting an UNBIASED account. Apparently the Knoxville sports writers don't have the eggs to write it...We hear BOV's version...DCSO's version...or vol_in_lsu's (who has no clue either way).

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on June 6, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TommyJack.

And what was that supposed to mean? What leads you to believe that DCSO "has a clue". Because he claims to know Majors "personally"? And you trust his "wisdom" because you read it on a message board? Or is it because you want to believe what he says? I think the latter.

I don't "know" what happened any more than the other people on this site. All I know is what I heard and what I observed (I have met JTMs in the past on multiple occasions and didn't care for his personality). On one occasion in particular I was working at the movie theatre in Maryville that he and his wife would go to (to get away from K-town crowds) and he smelled of booze. That's a fact. He was arrogant and wouldn't speak to any fans. I don't blame him for wanting a quiet evening with his wife but he was downright rude.

So yes, my posts were only offerings of opinion based on what I saw and heard. And my opinion is that JTM was very much the arrogant and paranoid man who couldn't stand it when he was being outdone (even if the "outdoer" was only doing the best he could during his absence).

Posted by TommyJack on June 6, 2008 at 5:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow. Smelled of booze on his off-time. Get a rope. My point was that DCSO and BOV probably have more insight than you or I. You choose to believe the side that fits into your admitted preconceived bias. That is all.

Posted by DCSOvol on June 6, 2008 at 6:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And there goes BigOrangeVol making it personal. Unless you know me, shut your mouth or come see me. I have very little to feel inferior about. I make more than most Metro officers and love what I do. I have no desire to work the street anymore. I did that for a while during the 1990s in another mid state county.

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

Ive gotten too doggone old for it

Posted by DCSOvol on June 6, 2008 at 6:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You guys are fun. I'm just flaming away, and some people get mad and try to get personal. I know the issue is dead. I dare insult the big Fat King, and people make it personal. Get a life, and quit throwing personal insults toward those you dont know. Fulmer and Majors are public figures and fair game, but keep it civil with other posters.

Posted by pdhuff on June 7, 2008 at 10:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Dang, TJ, got that new harpoon sharpener in from Cabela's I see. Apparently it works.

Ol' JM or PF take a big back seat to my true love, the Tennessee Orange. I would take Howdy Doody as HC if they would compete every time out. No, you can't win then all, but when you lose all respect by getting hammered 2-4 times per season, something needs to be changed.At times last year we looked as if we didn't know we were scheduled that day. Did a Vol "D" ever give up more yards per game than last year?

How did we respond, recuiting more "O"!

I digress, on to the Bruins...

Posted by TommyJack on June 7, 2008 at 11:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

PD: You love the Orange? Strange talk from a naysayer.
There's an inverse relationship between recruiting what you need vs what you recruit.
Makes sense to CPF apparently.

BTW, Howdy Doody is HC for the New York Giants. You ever look close at that guys coconut?

Posted by pdhuff on June 7, 2008 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

True, TJ, if I didn't get out and sweat off 25-35 lbs every summer, I would be elgible as a stand-in for Jabba the Hut.

Love cold beer and ice cream, not usually together.

Posted by BigOrangeVol on June 9, 2008 at 1:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Call me crazy but when you call our head coach a "mediocre, back stabbing, Fat Boy" and hide behind a computer keyboard to do it…that's a pretty cowardly cheap-shot in my book. So pot meet the kettle.

DCSOvol, my apologies for making it personal in regards to you. My opinion of the DCSO employees and their emotional insecurities is based solely on decades of personal experience. I hope that you are the intelligent, compassionate and professional one down there because most of the ones I've had dealings with are just the opposite.

You call Phillip "mediocre" yet he has the second highest winning percentage of any D-1 coach with 10 or more years of experience.
You call Phillip a "back-stabber" yet you have no proof what so ever to back up that libelous defamatory statement other than your “I know Johnny personally” opinion.
You call Phillip "Fat Boy/the big Fat King"; how mature of you to characterize an individual based on their personal appearance. I bet you think Winston Churchill was a mediocre, back-stabbing Fat Boy politician and Orson Welles was a mediocre, back-stabbing Fat Boy actor too.

Thanks, you pretty much make my point for me.

Posted by pdhuff on June 9, 2008 at 7:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Doldrums=long hot summer.

Geno's gel is oozing. Dogs stay in shade. Fans are turning.

UCLA is awaiting.

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on June 9, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah BigOrangeVol...

You notice something? Though I am critical of Johnny Majors, I make the caveat with my postings that he is and will always be a hero of mine and the embodiment of Tennessee football. even my statement that he was a "mediocre" coach is tongue in cheek and "relative" to classifying CPF as mediocre. I've seen few CPF supporters on this site who make any opinions toward JTM personal. I could poke fun at his grammar/accent or some trivial (read irrelevant) aspect of his personna but I don't. His record on the field and his conduct/reputation are ALL that matters and all that I care to discuss. Why can't the people on this site who are so fed up with Fulmer speak to the facts that really matter and keep the characature insults to a minimum? Why? Because they know that arguments based on performance alone won't get a rise out of anyone.

Posted by BigOrangeVol on June 10, 2008 at 2:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

My take on the Majors years

We had some great games played under JTM, three really nice seasons and some exceptional players as well as coaches that came through the program during his tenure, ie…
1979: Notre Dame.
1980: Auburn.
1982: BEAT BAMA!
1983: BEAT BAMA and Maryland in the Citrus.
1984: BEAT BAMA!
1985: SEC Champs - Beat #1 ranked Auburn, BEAT BAMA, beat Miami and won the Sugar Bowl!
1987: Iowa opener, Auburn tie.
1989: SEC Champs – Auburn and Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl win.
1990: SEC Champs – Tied Colorado and Auburn, massacred Florida at Homecoming, beat UVA to win the Sugar Bowl.
1991: Beat UCLA, Miss. St., Auburn, Miracle at South Bend!

21 very memorable games.

On the flip side...

Posted by BigOrangeVol on June 10, 2008 at 2:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We also looked like a laughing stock in many games and 4 or 5 seasons.
1977: Home losses to unranked Cal, Auburn, Ga. Tech and a loss to unranked Ole Miss in Mempho by 29. BAMA
1978: A home tie to unranked Oregon St., road losses to unranked Auburn and Miss. St. BAMA
1979: A three-TD beating by unranked Miss. St. while we were ranked 19th. The Homecoming Game against Rutgers. A 24-point loss to unranked Ole Miss. BAMA
1980: A loss to unranked UVA at Homecoming followed up with a loss to unranked Ole Miss. BAMA
1981: Beat 44-0 by UGA in the opener and 43-7 by USC the next game, lost to UK. BAMA
1982: Losses to unranked Duke, Auburn, Ga. Tech and VANDY! 4-point loss in the Peach Bowl.
1983: Losses to unranked Pitt and Ole Miss at Homecoming.
1984: Tied by Army and lost to unranked UK. 1-point loss in the Sun Bowl.
1985: Tied by Ga. Tech.
1986: Ranked 8th and lost to unranked Miss. St., lost on my birthday to unranked Army at home, lost to unranked Ga. Tech, BAMA
1987: Ranked 8th and lost to unranked BAMA, unranked Boston College.
1988: 0-6 (UGA, unranked Duke, LSU, Auburn, unranked Washington St. & BAMA!)
1989: BAMA ruins the perfect season and National Title hopes!!!
1990: Lost to unranked BAMA!!! Lost to Notre Dame while driving deep on late int.
1991: Payback from Florida, ranked 8th and beaten again by BAMA!!!
1992: Ranked 4th and lost to unranked Arkansas, BAMA for a 4-12 record, unranked South Carolina.

51 not-so-memorable games.

So in 186 games Majors looked like a genius 11% of the time, a pedestrian coach 61% of the time and an pathetic coach 27% of the time.

Posted by pdhuff on June 10, 2008 at 6:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Slogging onward thru the doldrums. One of the worst I can remember.

Posted by bigfan502 on June 11, 2008 at 5:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hold-up guys...Hold your fire on Bill Battle, the former Vol coach..who had about a 750 per cent winning average. The firing, or, resignation, whatever, brought hostile fire from many of the nation's sportwriters. Some thought this action hurt the Vols' recruiting for several years, as the coach who followed, John Majors, constantly complained most of his first 10 years that he was unable to recruit top players. But it is thought that generally Majors was a poor recruiter and only an average coach.

Posted by bigfan502 on June 11, 2008 at 11:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Let me say this ole buddy...there is an old saw that a superior athlete in a certain sport, should leave it as is, the worst thing for great athlete in any sport is to attempt to coach a team in sport. Long ago, Gen Neyland, stated that a great athlete makes a poor coach. Why? Neyland was of the opinion that a great athlete lacks the patience that coaching or managing requires, Neyland contended that these folks cannot tolerate mediocrity. Let us examine for instance some examples...Joe Dimaggio was a dud when he attempted to manage..same for Babe Ruth, same for Jack Dempsey as trainer for boxers, and so on. There are a few exceptions to this rule, but only a few. Now, was Majors a great athlete...some say he was, and others disagree...but regardless he is in good company.

Posted by BigOrangeVol on June 16, 2008 at 2:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I just love the people that say Coach Battle couldn't recruit! Ever hear of Jimmy Streater, Haskel Stanback, Andy Spiva, Eddie Brown, Neil & Phil Clabo, Hubert Simpson, Stanley Morgan, Larry Seivers, Ron McCartney, Reggie Harper, Mike Mauck, Lee North, Curt Watson, Mickey Marvin, Robert Shaw, Craig Colquitt, Greg Jones, Tommy West, Kelsey Finch, Roland James, Condredge Holloway, Jimmy Noonan, Craig Puki, Pat Ryan and Bret Watson just to name a few?

For comparisons sake:
Get rid of Dickey's players...Coach Battle's first senior class of his recruited players was in '73 and his last season was '76. He had a four season record of 28-17-2 for 60%.

Get rid of Battle's players...JTM's first senior class of his recruited players was in '80. In the four season from 1980-1983 his record was 28-18-1... same winning percentage!

JTM was in place for 9 years before he finished higher than 3rd in the SEC and only twice more did he finish higher than 3rd in his 16 years.

Posted by bigfan502 on June 29, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

When Johnny Majors came marching home in 1977, Volunteer football fans around the state of Tennessee thrilled except the Vol athletic director, Bob Woodruff, Mr Woodruff for the most part kept mostly silent as he observed the groundswell of excitment at UT, and around the state. Although the astute poker player felt in his gut that Johnny was not the right man as head coach of the Volunteers, but Majors' rabid fans felt otherwise. In Majors' first several years, the Vols could not seem to really "get off the ground", as he explained that the program was "still sliding downward". But fans and UT officials believed Johnny completely. Therefore there were few complaints. Combined with the last few years of the Battle years,and Majors first dozen years at the Vol helm, few noticed that the Volunteers had been to only one major bowl game in 20-years...and still Neyland stadium was averaging ( before stadium was enlarged) 90,000 fans per home game. The belief that Johnny could get it done and bring Vol fans a championship was absolute among his followers. At the same time, other devoted Vol fans lost faith that Majors could ever get it done. There were red signals along the way...like the many and seemingly constant turnovers in his staff. Like in his 14th year when the Vols suffered two straight blowouts to Georgia and So. California, Vol fans began to doubt Johnny...at the start of of each football season, Johnny would say that the Vols were going to start out the season by winning the first game..but he almost always lost the first game...and it became a joke around the hill. However, it seems fans held their fire and Majors lasted an amazing 15 or 16 years. Vol fans were never that tolerate before or after.

Posted by bigfan502 on June 29, 2008 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I would like to make one correction of an error when I wrote that the Vols were blown out by Georgia and Southern California in the first two games of the season...IT was Major' fourth season, rather than his 14th season. I regret the error.