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Tennessee Stat Book
COLUMBIA, S.C. - Phillip Fulmer knows all about tough losses to Steve Spurrier but this one may soon prove to top the list.
Fans had barely filed out of Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday night when Fulmer was questioned about his job security following a 27-6 loss to South Carolina, UT's sixth loss of the season.
During post-game interviews, Fulmer was asked what he would tell UT fans who have watched their team get beat soundly in four SEC games this season.
"I think you've probably said about all that needs to be said," Fulmer said to the reporter. "I don't have to say too much actually. Obviously, I'm disappointed.
"I certainly feel like with time we'll be back on track."
Time doesn't appear to be on Fulmer's side. Multiple media outlets, including The New Sentinel, have reported that Fulmer wouldn't be retained if the Vols lost six games. The Vols are 3-6 overall and 1-5 in the SEC.
UT's record, however, doesn't fully illustrate just how bad the Vols have been. UT has been outscored 126-47 in its five SEC losses this season.
With only one road game left (at Vanderbilt), the Vols are also in danger of becoming the first team to go winless on the road in a season since 1977.
Fulmer was optimistic that he could turn UT's football program around if given the chance.
"Sure," he said. "I've never had back-to-back losing seasons since I've been here.
"Usually when we had a bad one, we followed it with a darn good one, the once that it's happened in 17 years."
Fulmer's lone losing season came in 2005. The Vols followed up that season with a 9-4 record and played in the Outback Bowl.
A winning season in 2008 is still not out of the question.
With three regular season games left, there's still an opportunity for Fulmer's Vols to become bowl eligible, notch a bowl win and salvage a 7-6 record.
There's also the possibility that things could get much worse.
Vanderbilt and Kentucky have both been ranked this season and Wyoming, whom UT plays next week, is coming off a 35-10 win over San Diego State.
Speculation concerning Fulmer's job security is sure to continue over the last month of the season.
UT AD Mike Hamilton declined to comment as he left the stadium.
"I think Phillip deserves some respect tonight," Hamilton said.
In an interview with the News Sentinel last month, Hamilton said, "Our goal is not to be a .500 ball club."
Unfortunately for Fulmer, with a championship run a decade in the past, that may be UT's lone goal remaining.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Notre Dame beats Tennessee 72-44…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 74
elsinoresam writes:
So Long Phil.
BillsBrother writes:
All the losses are tough now.
Rocky Top has been replaced with a new song.
http://www.jibjab.com/view/150392
FedUpVolFan writes:
Gosh darn guys.STay the course! Where is WELOVEVOLS?
JKW50 writes:
Fulmer deserves about as much respect tonight that he showed Stephens after he threw his FIRST interception. That was low and he at least knew better than to do it in Knoxville because him and Crompton wouldve been booed out of the stadium.
FedUpVolFan writes:
You got that right! And it wasn't even Stephens fault! Makes one wonder what our OC saw.
FedUpVolFan writes:
Ain't it the truth! And here I sit watching a tape of the game again.Gosh.The little things kill us.
BillsBrother writes:
See other article.
OC saw a QB give up on the play. Apparently we have a coach that still cares about effort.
VolCane7979 writes:
Can't believe he yanked Stephens after an INT and pulled Creer after the fumble. Way to eff up their psyches.
graphpro#231211 writes:
The quality of play is worse than a meaningless scrimmage. Foolmer has ran the program into the toilet. We are now officially the Vanderbilt of the 90's. We expect to lose. That is an inditement on Foolmer.
We can't even stay in a game past the 1st quarter. Spurrier just didn't even try to run up the score. He was VERY nice. Do you think he might be thinking about future employment?
This can't go on any longer...
FedUpVolFan writes:
Ain't it the truth! And here I sit watching a replay of the game.If we could only do the little thins like catching a forward pass,making a clean tackle,not jumping off sides..Oh well.
FedUpVolFan writes:
Watching the repLAY.Stephens lost his cool and kicked dirt near one of the coaches who was cheewing him out...lol.....
tntorbett writes:
I was wondering the same thing, never hear from welovevols after a loss; especially when it's this clear that fulmer was outcoached.
FedUpVolFan writes:
Your wisdom is only outdone by your stupid nick!
tntorbett writes:
look i'm the last person to defend fulmer, & i'm not gonna do that; having said that though, the way we treated majors????? really????? the game of football had long since passed that man. just as it has passed phil now. with game of football, as with anything in life, you've either gotta keep up, or you're gonna get left behind; majors didn't keep up, fulmer stopped tryin' to keep up. adios to them both.
iwilbeafan writes:
You must have lost your mind, or you don't know what you are talking about. Either way you need to see beyound your nose. The fans are the ones that threw Sanders under the bus then like they are Coach Fulmer now. As far as Majors goes, he did a few things that dug his own grave as he is now. Everybody knows what's best for the program, but who are you to say what is or isn't abouit the players, caoches or the majority of the fans.
BillsBrother writes:
???
vol_fan1107 writes:
So many things in the game just looked like Phil was just looking to save his job. He has lost all respect from his players and fans..not to mention the media. It is sad in a way but the program can not continue this type of play. We were so out coached and played tonight. It's only going to get worse. Please Phil just be a man and admit the game has passed you by and just step down.
FedUpVolFan writes:
Please accept my apology.That was to be an IM in response to ....oh never mind...Sorry.... And thanks for clearing things up.
BillsBrother writes:
Cool.
Full moons and multiple turnovers can adversely affect all of us.
alwaysorange81 writes:
Yo torbett just checking. SEC titles in 89 and 90?? Game passed by Johnny? Fat phil hoppin all over the hc job while his boss is out sick? Sounds super classy to me. The man already threw a home grown Sanders under the bus to save his job and now he's got these kids thinking they're horrible because of themselves. I cheered along with everyone else for Peyton, Tee, and Al but I've never thought much of a man that would do or say anything to get ahead. Im with rabid on this one...as you sow.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
Weve got a top 10 recruiting class coming in, firing Fulmer won't guarentee a winning season. You guys and the news media have never been true blue fans. You have always had something in your craw about the Big Orange. Even the 1998 Championship was a fluke to you guys. We have no respect for cowards, parrots which sit in trees, parrotting things they here passed on in the night. We do not live in darkness or fear, but the Fire Fulmer crowd evidentely does. Actually the Fire Fulmer crowd is losing their credability. They are not men enough to take up for another man, but run for the hills like a bunch of women when the going gets tough, the tough get going. John Adams just keep on kissing the butttsss of the fire Fulmer crowd. He has no other credentials. It is a sad thing. I would like to get rid of these sportswriters, most of them, and all of the negative fans. Then we would have some fun again, win or lose. It is just a game, win or lose, you people for want to Fire Fulmer have nothing at stake to lose!!!! You are merely followers!!To the real UT fans you DO NOT EXIST AND NEITHER DO PEOPLE LIKE JOHN ADAMS!
khelton657 writes:
Glad he did it, should have been letting them know long ago that some thngs are unacceptable and will not be tolerated..fumbles and less than 100% effort are two of them, laughing and generally grabaxxing on the sidelines is another...anyone see our boy Colquitt on the sidelines ? had no idea what was going on in the game, yucking like heck...
informedinktown writes:
Crawl out from under your rock, (your Obama sign is OBVIOUSLY worn & tattered)!... I've always liked & respected Fulmer, but some of you (him) JUST don't have a clue!!!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Toughest loss!
Naw.
Kind of used to it, now.
But it's Phixable.
hippie60 writes:
For you people who call Fulmer "Foolmore" I would be willing to bet your salary isn't 2.5 million a year,now who's the fool? If you can do better go for it!
ClayMolder (Inactive) writes:
he's not worried because he thinks hamilton is in his hip pocket. quit donating to the AD, stop going to games and tear your tickets up making sure that no one goes. that will spell the end of the horrible era. i'd rather lose with a new man who may promote change that to continue sinking with this loser.
ect1983 writes:
Stature.......not statue..........learn how to spell idiot
ClayMolder (Inactive) writes:
this is a pretty good attempt for attention. there's lots of mad fans that will bite on your comments. but what does a deprived person like you do when then fans are happy again-pull the wings off of helpless birds?
modern psychiatry has some answers for your problems that your momma started.
kyvol98 writes:
This was a joke, right? If not, where is the statue of Fulmer made of whey?
shipperman#280095 writes:
As usual His Idiocy shows up early AM when his mama is asleep
ClayMolder (Inactive) writes:
look hippie just because he fooled some university into paying him whatever he makes doesnt make him smarter than us. there are high school coaches out there making 1% of your figure who can outcoach him. no one asked me what he should be paid so i wont take credit for his wealth. i can say that if i were head coach that team would be more ready to play than they are now.
now go get your shinebox!
hotrodvol writes:
It's totally a shame we have to buy Fulmer out.
He has made more than enough money off of UT, 5.5mil. for a buyout crazy!!
Step down with a reduced buyout over 4 years, move to OBX with Jerry Greene, and take your OC with you.
JUST END THIS COACH!!
yeavols#228407 writes:
Anyone know when the announcement will take place today? Can't wait!
tennisvol writes:
Whatever happened to BJ Coleman?
tellyviewer777 writes:
Another week has passed and I'm still looking for Phil's turnaround.
As the saying goes, what goes around comes around and now Phil knows how Johnny felt as a stranger in his own house.
Show some leadership and release us from this weekly angst. Resign now. The hole is getting deeper. Don't you feel the dirt hitting you in the face?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Cowboy up.
shipperman#280095 writes:
The announcement is supposed to come after the KY game
mtnsvol44 writes:
I am fed up with hearing you disloyal fans whine.
The Vols are the best high school team in Knoxville!!!
leedsvol2007 writes:
I agree that the game had not passed Majors by but he was his own worst enemy in contract negotiations. And it was well known at the time that Fulmer was doing all the recruiting.
I have a friend who was on the football team with Majors in the 50's, was at his press conference when he resigned, and had contacts all the way up to the board of trustees the year Majors was not retained.
It was Majors attitude toward Dickey, the UT administration, the key boosters and the board of trustees that caused UT to withdraw the 10 year contract offer.
They were going to renew his contract despite the fact he had lost to Alabama 6 years in a row.
As we have seen Fulmer has a vast majority of the players that have played for him on his side. When Majors contract offer was withdrawn I don't remember a single player speaking out in his behalf.
And only one coach, Charlie Coe, followed him to Pitt.
I was a big fan of Majors and still think he did some wonderful things for the program but his job loss was not Fulmer's fault.
volsfannsc writes:
I was at the game and I noticed so many things. For one, the SC fans adore their team. This is a team that barely becomes bowl eligible and it's fans are excited. This is a team whose fans would follow them into the depth's of hell in the midst of a loosing season. Maybe we should take notice. Then again, this team always puts forth the effort- they at least try. Tenn has reached a new low as I watched our lineman Vols with hands on hips watch their running backs get creamed. Special teams go through the motions- they just want to get off of the field. Wide receivers are so complacent to running a route rather than shaking a receiver and catching the ball. This Tenn team has NO ATTITUDE! Is this coaching or players or BOTH? Should Fulmer leave, lets get a 'big gun' to replace him and not mess around. I also think ALL game film should be reviewed and scholarships should be yanked based on performance on AND OFF the field. It's time to drastically shake up this program!
leedsvol2007 writes:
I don't think the coaching staff has lost the team particularly on defense.
On offense we have huge problems but they are obviously playing hard.
On Defense we are getting a very high level of effort and with the exception of one drive we essentially shut down was has been an improving Carolina offense down.
There are three games left to play and I think this team will continue to play hard.
You can fault the execution but I don't think you can fault the effort.
blitzshoot writes:
http://www.coachgundy.com/staff.php
bigOutfan writes:
It's over.... the fat lady is clearing her throat
PaulTheVol writes:
Here is how the Majors thing went down - Fulmer was a successful offensive coordinator who filled in for Majors and had instant success. Majors had already worn out his welcome due to his ego, his bullying and his overall caustic nature - in other words by being Johhny Majors. Fulmer was in line to get the South Carolina job and so UT's administration had to make the choice of keeping Fulmer or letting him go and then having to deal with Majors or possibly having to replace him anyway if he got any more insufferable. Fulmer made it clear he wanted to stay at UT and so the choice was easy.
PaulTheVol writes:
This loss wasn't so tough - I expected to lose all along.
tntorbett writes:
You really are a moron if you think the recruiting class we have coming in is a top 10 class @ this point, yeah, it has it's bright spots, but it's far from a top ten. Furthermore, the rank of the recruiting class don't matter one bit if they get here & aren't coached worth a phooey. you'll keep seing the same results. Fulmer became complacent after the '98 season.
"We do not live in darkness or fear, but the Fire Fulmer crowd evidentely does. Actually the Fire Fulmer crowd is losing their credability. They are not men enough to take up for another man" Do you even realize how stupid you sound saying phooey like that? I support this school, this program, not the man on the sidelines if he ain't doin' his job, i think the same thing should happen to him that would happen to the rest of us if we're not doin' ours --- that is we get FIRED!!! You have got to be the blindest moron who posts on here.
tntorbett writes:
not sure why this stupid thing changes some of my words, I don't use the word "phooey"
THEKIDWI writes:
I was all for Fulmer getting another chance next year...before last night.
Crompton should've been pulled after the second game. If a 36 year old insurance claims adjuster who never played a down of college ball can see that Crompton just doesn't get it...how can our head coach not???
Then last night he destroys Stephens' by pulling him after his first INT in the beginning of the second quarter. Un-freak'n-believable.
I've yet to read the justification for that move. He's completely lost the team at this point. If we're to salvage a 6-6 season and some how get an invite to a dot-freak'n-com bowl, there needs to be an announcement Monday that Chavis is going to coach the last three games and Fulmer and Clawson (worst hire ever) are out the door.
At this point, it's just that simple.
CTM749115 writes:
Not IF but WHEN is the question Mr. Hamilton needs to answer. Allow Phil Fulmer to work within the athletic department as long as he's on salary.
Does Hamilton make the decisions or just carry out the wishes of the board or wealthy alumni?
THEKIDWI writes:
OK, i just found it...(i'm tired and hung over...)
So Clawson benched Stephens.... Extremely poor management of a young kid whom your 6-6 aspirations are tied to. What's he going to do put BJ in next?
Go back to sub-championship-post-under-red-headed-step-child-division. Fulmer should be fired anyway, but more so now for letting his inept OC make that move.
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