Imagine how a candidate for the University of Tennessee football coaching job must have felt when he heard Saturday’s score: Wyoming 13, Tennessee 7.
“Surprise” might have come first. But “alarm” probably didn’t come next.
It’s easier to take over a high-profile program like UT’s after a losing season than a winning one.
If UT could have finished the regular season 7-5 and elected to make a coaching change, it would have made the next coach’s first season that much more challenging.
Transitional years are difficult enough anyway. They’re easier when the program is coming off a losing season of historical proportions.
Sure, a loss to Wyoming might have a greater impact on a coaching candidate than all the other losses. His likely response: “I didn’t know they were that bad.” But a coach won’t base a career decision on that.
He will look past the current record and see a program with great tradition and facilities. He also will see a program that isn’t afraid to write a lottery-size paycheck.
Last week, UT athletic director Mike Hamilton decided he would rather pay outgoing coach Phillip Fulmer $6 million not to coach his program. Imagine the kind of message that sends to coaching candidates.
There’s more financial evidence than that to turn a candidate’s head. Following UT’s 10-4 season in 2007, Fulmer was rewarded with a contract extension and a pay raise that pushed his salary way past the $2 million-a-year mark.
Hamilton didn’t have to do that. There was no bidding war for Fulmer’s services. Moreover, Hamilton’s decision was roundly criticized, even by some fans who identified themselves as Fulmer supporters.
As wasteful as that might have seemed, it won’t seem that way to a coaching candidate. Instead, he will see Hamilton as an athletic director who will go to great lengths to help his football coach be successful.
The raise and extension told prospective recruits that UT’s program and its coach were on solid footing. That might have been an illusion, but it didn’t hurt recruiting.
Based on its commitments, UT has assembled a nationally ranked recruiting class so far. It has lost some commitments and might lose more with the coaching change. But the majority will stick with their commitments.
Even as UT struggled toward a losing season, it secured commitments from sought-after players from outside the state and region. That tells coaching candidates more about the program than a loss to Wyoming does.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 44
ncvol17 writes:
they should be plenty happy after the next 2 games
MANVOL writes:
Glad Adams wrote this column sick of hearing the agenda pushing 990/93.1 and the negative attitude toward replacing Fulmer.
jaxvol75 writes:
I'm first and John Adams really does not like Phillip Fulmer.
BigOrangeinCharge writes:
The next coach is walking into a great situation. Great facilities, national reputation (granted, it's not what it used to be), notoriety among recruiting hotbeds in neighboring states, and a ton of talent already on the roster--just look at this sophomore class! Even with all the pressure, it would be hard for any ambitious coach to turn this job down.
The state of TN actually produces a lot of really good recruits. They don't get the attention that the boys from some other states get, but there's a lot of talent near Knoxville, Nashville, and Memphis if the coaches just recognize it and develop it. For the last few years, the current staff hasn't done that at all.
bluetick writes:
Everybody knows this was a down year. Even Wyoming knows they didn't play a Tennessee team worth a dime this year. So? It was a bad year. Enjoy the spotlight of hammering the Vols this year and if you havn't enjoyed the last 10 yrs of football as a Vol, get ready for more letdown depending on who is hired next. Just hope they pick the right person (unlike Clawson) and more like Pearle.
Oh and for all of the Chavis haters...who would you say would be better than he is? Crack kills so stop smoking it!
TommyJack writes:
Good points, Adams.
tennisvol writes:
What happened to BJ Coleman?
weisgarber2003#313889 writes:
jaxvol75 writes:
I'm first and John Adams really does not like Phillip Fulmer.
So? No problem with that. There might be a lot of people who don't like Fulmer. For sure there are a lot who detest his lack of coaching skills, and they are not sportswriters.
khelton657 writes:
New guy won't have much trouble eclipsing this year's performance...
VolinCalif writes:
If any of the top five candidates, appearing on these post, is the next coach we'll be just fine next year. This team isn't the bottom of the barrel talent wise. We have only had one class that wasn't loaded in the last six years. A new coach isn't going to dump those players just to interduce a new system. Oh there will be changes, there is between any new coaching staff. This is football,you have kids that have trained for years and any good coach will see the tools he has to work with and will do his job accordingly. He won't do a Sh@@ job on purpose. he'll buy new tools, for sure. Look for the Vols to be back in the hunt next year.
MANVOL writes:
I cant believe people are actually debating to keep Chavis.
VolinCalif writes:
I know I know I can't spell. Sorry I'll get my er's and ro's correct next time. I just needed to see the film.
Chartervol writes:
If anyone has a swanker locker room than the five-star hotel UT just opened, I'd pay to see it. They'd have to have personal valets in tuxedos passing out hot moist towels with sterling silver tongs.
Which may be part of the problem. We've got guys who won't bust a grape expecting someone to peel them one.
Spoiled brats is what we've got here.
burpee_von_rotweiler_IV writes:
Exactly! You nailed it! They have it too good. I have been harping about this for years.
Why in the world are they practicing in air conditioned comfort? It is no wonder that during the warm season games, the Vols go belly up like a dead catfish in the 2nd quarter. They have no heat tolerance from practicing indoors.
There is a prima donna culture that permeates the entire football program from the top down to the equipment manager. Exterminate the vermin and start over from scratch.
woodwr#217203 writes:
Fulmer's raise and extension meant FAR more to his hiring a new offensive staff than to recruiting players.
Players are leaving high school for some college and even changing coaches, they keep their scholarship.......and in their minds they keep the chance to prove they are first string.
Assistants would NOT have come to UT if they had imagined it was a ONE year assignment.
Without the extension, Fulmer would have had to resign, because he could not have hired an offensive staff.
Imagine leaving recent and soon-again national champion Florida's staff to join UT for ONE season.
Imagine giving up multi-year contract head coach at a school that loves you to become offensive coordinator, and now go job hunting as a famous epic failure.
Dave Clawson gave up head coach to become Offensive Coordinator and the others gave up long term jobs thinking they would do OK in 2008 and would have 2009 and maybe 2010 to get back to SEC East Representative in the championship.
The spectacular failure of Fulmer choosing Clawson & company cost him the satisfaction of working again, but he'll keep his home and not need for money.
The spectacular failure Dave Clawson & company will leave some of them unemployed with the worst possible references.
Imagine applying for a new job on the strength of "we ruined an offense that returned 10 starters from almost-SEC-champions."
These guys will be starting over at the bottom of the Assistant-coach pyramid.
The defensive coaches will at least have a hope of being hired at good schools, except they are a gray-bearded herd.
Imagine working at UT for more than a decade, and losing perhaps your last job at 50-something because Fulmer picked Clawson, instead of most any other possible Offensive Coordinator.
Imagine riding the bus and sitting across the aisle from the offensive staff who couldn't get the one first down it would have taken to beat UCLA or Auburn, or even Wyoming.
Triton1 writes:
saying first is even more stupid when you aren't first,STUPID.
bluetick writes:
And you're a dill weed!
bluetick writes:
Maybe the new coach will notice his talent. He played where I attended School at McCallie in Chatt,TN and is a pretty good QB. Anything is better than what I've seen so far this year.
bluetick writes:
But new guy(s) will have a problem matching his record. That will be a long time coming. Not defending the situation of his firing, but he has set the standard.
Scores writes:
Adams, you continue to bash Fulmer even after having a hand in his firing. You are such a sad LITTLE boy. I say once more that you wouldn't make a good pimple on Phillip Fulmer's rear end. He has done more good for people than you could ever imagine. Please quit and hopefully the Sentinel will give the job to a decent human being like Mike Strange.
Bufforange00 writes:
Phil will never coach again.
MillisaAnn writes:
Great Column Mr. Adams
ect1983 writes:
What a brilliant post......I continue to be amazed that the "word" basically is that John Adams columns make the difference in whether the CEO of a multi-million dollar company keeps his football coach.
55Vol, your above comments have as much credibility as Fulmer's comments about BJ Coleman....NONE
ect1983 writes:
You are out of touch with reality
byobbio writes:
Man, Mr. Adams. Do you write these articles while your wife is working a crossword puzzle in bed? Maybe a little research for an article could be good. Maybe some quotes or some facts or something. This is an article i can find on any amateur blog page. A complete waste of my time.
Jeremy7679 writes:
John Adams sucks.
hueypilot writes:
Good insights John.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Someone in a long Towncar left 4 cases of PBR on my porch.
Has your name on the side along with a 800 # to call for replenishment.
Oh, one case of pork rinds (hot) also.
txsvol#372416 writes:
This article is OK, from an LSU supporter. The thing that irks me about the Adams' Fire Fulmer article last year is that after he wrote it, he went into B'ham to discuss his hatchet job with Paul Feinbaum, and probably other places that I don't remember without having to research for accuracy. I admire Phil Fulmer for his dedication and service to the university; while at the same time, I realize that it is time for him to retire or be forced out. I felt the same way about Johnny Majors, and bear no animus toward CPF for replacing a legend on the Hill. SAVol
smokey_vols writes:
If you actually believe Adams had a hand in his firing you are an idiot. Just like the rest of the WE LOVE PHILLIP FOREVER clan.
givehim6 writes:
That brings up a good point, it would be good to at least let him play some in the next 2 games. He can get use to game speed, what's the worst he can do,lose? throw an interception? Crompton and Stevens do that all the time.
Volunatic writes:
Interesting point. I have often wondered if the indoor practice facility was more of a detriment than a bonus.
Our players frequently have trouble playing games in inclement weather. (eg- Remember how bad Casey was at the Cotton Bowl when it was cold?)
volfan#207874 writes:
Good post txsvol#372416. I concur. Now perhaps hatchet man Johnny Adams will go after MH for making the stupid mistake of awarding a coaching extension to coach Fulmer when it was not needed or called for. I think that we all owe a debt of gratitude to both John Majors and Phil Fulmer for their services and dedication over the years to the Vols. I only hope that CPF goes out quietly and does not besmirch anyone. In both instances of them being replaced...it appears that it was time.
SemperVol writes:
Just Google Imaged that swank locker room. That is pretty sweet but it reminds me of a Starbucks.
I like Tennessee's (although I'm extremely biased) more than that.
Bruce Pearl's pad sets the swank standard IMO. I'd love to see Autzen Stadium though.
Ralph_Crampton writes:
Chavis the Vol defensive coach...is defended in some circles and others are critical of him. I recall in 1995 on Wlac radio, Chavis stated "we should get back to playing defense like the Tennessee teams of old. Back then they slapped balls out of running back's hands, scooped ball up and turned them into touchdowns...they made a lot of sacks or hurries...they were alert for fumbles. We must return to that aggressive type of play." John, the defense never returned to that type of play while you have been defensive coach for the Vols. It is said that you do not like to recruit...I have no idea if this is true or not..but Vols defense seems unable to stop team on third and long. In the first five games the Vols defense did not recover one fumble, or did they make a sack. Most of us fans like you, could it be you have lost the old "fire in the belly"? Anyway, good luck, as the leaves fall where they may.
TommyJack writes:
Of all the staff, Chavis is the most likely to land on his feet.
KENVOL writes:
How about Jerry Moore from Appy State? I think this guy can coach.
SewaneeTiger writes:
That is what I think as well.
Development is the need(discipline and fundamentals). Such development leads to proper execution, proper execution to wins.
TommyJack writes:
Ken: I think Jerry Moore is older than Murrayvol.
Go4Two writes:
Oh really how many players on this years team could start on the 98 team. Or how many could start for Fla this year
rusty_shackleford writes:
I'd like tuscaloosa john to come on the chat room. I want him brought from his happy holiday slumber over there on Melody Lane with all the other newspaper people and I want him brought right here, with a big ribbon on his head, and I want to look him straight in the eye and I want to tell him what a cheap, lying, no-good, rotten, four-flushing, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, blood-sucking, dog-kissing, brainless, peckerless, hopeless, heartless, fat-arse, bug-eyed, stiff-legged, spotty-lipped, worm-headed sack of monkey $h!t he is. Hallelujah. Holy $h!t. Where's the Tylenol?
Thanks, Clark Griswold, wherever you are! ;-)
blitzshoot writes:
I think the HC's at Ball St and UCONN may be on the radar.
eleven99ers writes:
If we can't get Leach, (everyone will be after him) we need someone creative, young like Peterson @ BSU. Remember Urban was at Utah, that appears to have worked out pretty well for Florida.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
We'll probably get a surprise like the UConn guy, etc.
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