David Douglas said his son, Tennessee freshman tight end Aaron Douglas, is committed to playing for the Vols.
"He's not leaving. He's not transferring," the former UT offensive lineman said Thursday on the News Sentinel's radio show, The Sports Page. "We're just looking into things that any parent would do to be prepared just in case something didn't work out."
Douglas is one of many parents who have contacted UT's compliance office to check on transfer rules. Douglas maintained that his son was not the driving force behind those inquiries.
"Aaron had nothing to do with that," David Douglas said. "All I did was inquire like any parent would."
David Douglas said his son chose UT, in part, because of coach Phillip Fulmer's presence. David Douglas is still close to Fulmer, who was Douglas' position coach in the mid-1980s.
That relationship certainly fueled some public comments David Douglas made about UT's decision to dismiss Fulmer on Monday. David Douglas said he didn't regret the comments.
"The guy has been a mentor of mine for 25 years," he said.
Aaron Douglas was the News Sentinel's top prospect in the state for the class of 2008. He committed to UT in July 2006 before his junior season.
"If we were selfish," David Douglas said, "we would have taken off to some bigger program that was loaded and say 'Let's go win like we did at Maryville.' "
Aaron Douglas was part of an undefeated class at Maryville. The Rebels are now 70-0.
David Douglas said he understands the decision to oust Fulmer even if he doesn't agree with it.
It was obvious that he had grown tired of the criticism from talk radio callers and message board posters had prompted about his public stance.
"If people don't like that, I really don't care," Douglas said. "I forgot more football than a lot of people know."
Wild One: Of all the supporters that have publicly criticized UT for dismissing Fulmer, wildlife expert Jack Hanna was the most surprising.
Hanna, who grew up in Knoxville and has taken trips with Fulmer, came to the coach's defense on the Sports Page.
"I feel for the whole family," Hanna said. "They've got a gold mine in Phil Fulmer."
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 35
MANVOL writes:
I'm sure things were upsetting, but the new coach will need the same volunteer family to rally around him. Thanks Douglas family for giving their all for Tennessee.
ut31#535576 writes:
I agree with Mr. Douglas.....not going to debate whether the timing was correct for Fulmer's ouster, but the personal attacks on the message boards and talk radio have been ridiculous.
I'm sure most of those complaints came from "fans" who couldn't name 10 players on UT's team and don't watch half of the games.
Fulmer has dedicated over 30 years of his life to the program and anyone who cares about the program should respect that.
If you want to make a valid argument based on facts that he should be dismissed that is fine. However, the personal attacks are ridiculous.
Do you not think that recruits read these message boards?????
MrBamSeydu writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
utmdm writes:
Strange to see you use the word "class." You show so little.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
If Jack Hannah says it's wrong... it's wrong.
volbald writes:
I thought UT already had a bona fide All American tight end who sits on the bench every game.
Phowell23 writes:
LOL, class and hiresanders in one line is pretty funny.
sundiver98#346449 writes:
be smart, go play for Bama, misrable 10 years ahead for Tennesee
Lawdog007 writes:
Okay the simple, naked, raw truth is this. Even if a family goes through a divorce, that doesn't mean that they are not still a family, it's just a bit different version of the family. And don't forget, sometimes the new step-father/mother ends up being pretty cool and you can enjoy your time with all of them without having the hear the original parents fighting all the time. Therefore, it ends up for the better in the end for all concerned.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
You know smart a.....s, it's people like you who give us a bad name. Thinking you can say and do what you want without any sense of accountability. But yet you hold Coach Fulmer accountable. When will your day of reckoning be? And who will be your Mike Hamilton? You've been getting away with your rude and crude remarks too too long. And they have no effect on us, nor will they ever. Actually with friends like you, who needs enemies. For if you aren't with us, you are against us.
mpm80#1357758 writes:
i believe fulmers a very good man not a great man but very very good man and you cant blame old players for defending him but some of you folks wont let it go - its over - done - hes accepted it. lets stop beating a dead horse!
GreerVol22 writes:
"Aaron had nothing to do with that," David Douglas said. "All I did was inquire like any parent would."
Douglas, your son is an adult, try treating him like one. It makes you look like a selfish azzhole concerned about your retirement plan....not some concerned parent.
ect1983 writes:
no, WE love tennessee Vols, It is you that gives you a bad name
blitzshoot writes:
Hiresanders and WeLove .... LOL
Perfect Match. You two put your apron on and get the concession stands cleaned and ready for Saturday.
Homer writes:
You sir, are not worthy to touch his douche bag. David Douglas is orange to the core and a good daddy. You only wish you had such a caring daddy!
xvolx writes:
those that want to play for fulmer, go. those that want to play for UT stay.
rep88 writes:
who cares douglas is gonna be a 3 year bench warmer and may play special teams as a senior so i guess anyway for his family to get him in the news
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Center bull on that shot.
TommyJack writes:
David Douglas should either hire a spokesperson, or keep his pie-hole closed. In my ever humble opinion.
G8er_H8er writes:
If you don't want to play for/at UT please leave. That is the problem right now--this program is bigger than any one player. This isn't high school football anymore. Who do you think would want the Briscoe's on this team--Tennessee Tech...maybe. Don't fool yourself into thinking that your better than you really are. Good luck.
Jmxvo1 writes:
All these young guys will be so much happier next year when they are well coached, developed properly, and can get on the field.
Brandon Warren should have a parade.
DoWhatNow writes:
In the immortal words of Motivational Speaker Matt Foley...
"Dad, I wish you could just shut YOUR BIG YAPPER!"
orangebloodgmc writes:
Y'all are crazy. David Douglas was a good UT football player and knows Coach Fulmer well, better than any of us self-appointed gurus. Yet he is ALSO a parent of a current UT football player, a young freshman who may be a little bewildered by all this. What parent does not educate themselves researching options for their son or daughter? What is unreasonable about that? Yet you folks think you should be listened to, and Douglas should just shut up? Reality check time. Douglas gets 2 votes as ex-player and current player parent.
Ed Britton
BSweet writes:
I understand his concern for his child but also agree with others that he needs to let Aaron stand on his own two feet. Being that Aaron is still just a freshman I'd say mom and dad are having a tough time letting go. The only exception I take to Mr. Douglas's comments is the one about forgetting more football than a lot of people know. That comes across as pure arrogance and I hope he didn't mean it that way. Then again, maybe he just hit the nail on the head because this year's team seems to have forgotten a lot about football. Hmmm....
spvol writes:
David Douglas has forgotten more football than clowns like you will ever know. Ask to see his Super Bowl ring sometime.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
In our current mess at Tenn, apparently a lot of football has been forgotten. I am unaware what a NFL ring has to do with 3-6.
Be well.
Colliervol writes:
That's for sure. Two little internet trolls who have to get on here and post drivel just to get some attention. Pathetic.
Two things we need to remember though when talking about the less fortunate: One is a KY fan and the other doesn't know if he's pitching or catching.
FlaVol2 writes:
I appreciate the mature leadership Dave Douglas presents to his son. I also agree that the travesty that befell Coach Fulmer will, in the long run, be a wrong headed idea by Mr. Hamilton and some of the UT family. Coach Fulmer deserved better. Mr. Hamilton needed to not listen to the minority of voices calling for his firing. I am a graduate of UT and I am trully ashamed of the way the university has handled this issue. I am more ashamed of some of the beligerant people that populate this message board - they should be better UT fans or go support some other school, support that school, and not tear down the University of Tennessee. I wish the best to Coach Fulmer. He will land on his feet somewhere else. I hope the football team will do as well. We shall see.
leedsvol2007 writes:
I think you need to do a little research. Fulmer has had more academic all SEC players than any coach in the history of the program.
And he has helped and encouraged a number of former players who left without degrees to return to UT and do just that.
And not just those that help with graduation rates. Maurice Staley is a recent example.
Football players have more than just a little encouragement to go to class and more than a little assistance from tutors and academic counselors.
Part of being a college student is learning personal responsibility. If a player does not take advantage of his opportunities it is his fault not the coaches.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Did you inspire Dupree to come and ask me if he could change his name to Kiffen Paterson Leach?
murrayvol writes:
I didn't think you had a humble opinion. IMHO
murrayvol writes:
Please stop feeding this monkey. It only encourages him.
grvol writes:
Don't transfer. You may just get yourself a coach who will actually let a talented tight end play. Moreover, the new coach may actually throw to you.
Plasticman writes:
We all need to realize that David Douglas played for Coach Fulmer and has a great allegiance to him, just as any of us would. Aaron has the potential to be a great player and play on Sundays. I for one think he will flourish with a new offensive system as the one we have witnessed this year can make great offensive players look bad. I hate that Fulmer made a bad hire in Clawsen that has basically cost him his job, but he is the CEO and has struggled when David Cutcliffe hasn't been part of his staff. Good luck Aaron and we look forward to seeing you play the next 4 years in Orange!
Beast writes:
Best thing that could ever happen is for every player and coach on this offense to get the **** out of Knoxville. You won't be good enough to play or coach anywhere else either!
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