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Dave Clawson and John Chavis believe UT's 3-5 start is a "challenge" that coaches are supposed to overcome. (Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008) Watch »
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UT defensive coordinator John Chavis responds to questions about coach Phillip Fulmer's future at UT. (Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008) Watch »
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UT football coach Phillip Fulmer responds to media speculation about the future of his job at UT. (Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008) Watch »
Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer tried to stave off the questions and criticism before they even began during his weekly press conference on Tuesday.
Following media reports that his job security is in serious jeopardy with the Vols (3-5, 1-4 SEC) struggling this season, Fulmer said he is focused on the objectives his program faces, not the obstacles.
As might be expected, that didn’t keep the questions from coming from a room full of media which sat down with Fulmer, who said much of the speculation was misinformation.
“You don’t even bother paying attention,” Fulmer said.
Still, avoiding the job question is becoming more and more difficult. And it’s something Fulmer eventually addressed.
He cited his lack of major NCAA violations, leading young men into adulthood and his winning percentage (75 percent) as highlights of his 17-year career.
“In the short term here it’s not where anybody wants it to be, starting with me,” Fulmer said. “I’m just going to go to work and do the very, very best that I can for the Tennessee people, the Tennessee family, the administration and whoever.”
As for the short term, Fulmer cited overcoming challenges with changing offensive systems and quarterbacks this season, as well as a top 10 recruiting class, as reasons UT fans should be optimistic.
“If we can hang onto all those guys and add to it a little bit, I think there’s a lot of reason for optimism,” Fulmer said. “But we’re just into that age of instant gratification and what have you done lately.
“I understand that.”
Fulmer was also asked if he wanted to scream while defending himself.
“I don’t want to scream,” Fulmer said. “I’m not a dog that barks and then runs into the house — I’m going to do my job on a daily basis — or barks from inside the house.
“I’m going to do my job the right way. There’s only so many hours and there’s only so many things you can fix at one particular time.
“Would I do things differently if I had a crystal ball? Sure I would, looking at a couple of things.”
Fulmer declined to comment specifically on what those things might be, but offered some hints that it had to do with decisions he and first-year UT offensive coordinator Dave Clawson had made.
“Things coach Clawson and I have sat down and talked about that we would have probably done differently, or something in the kicking game,” Fulmer said. “There’s no reason to talk about that.”
Defensive coordinator John Chavis didn’t scream but was stern when asked to respond to those that questioned Fulmer’s job security.
“There’s a lot of things you could say, and one would be not to answer the question, but I’m a big boy,” Chavis said. “Certainly, I look at a man that has won 150 ball games and done some things at this university that haven’t been done before and done it with class.
“I’m not going to deal with the speculation. Whatever happens, happens. I’m getting paid well to do what I’m doing, and I’m going to go out and bust my rear end to do everything I can to help this team and help coach Fulmer be successful.
“There’s a lot of, I guess, sources, untitled or unknown sources. It’s easy to stand back and make those kind of statements about unknown sources or sources that aren’t going to be revealed, but I’m not going to get caught up in that.
“I couldn’t be any prouder than to be working for Phillip Fulmer right now or at any point during that time.”
Fulmer said most probably can’t understand just how much he has invested in UT football.
“They probably can’t,” he said. “In the big picture of things, should they?
“This program is much bigger than me or anybody. Nobody wants the best for it more than I do.”
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Comments » 486
tnbigg writes:
Whatever...you know he is...
tnbigg writes:
Always the excuse making blame shifter though...
jgvol8 writes:
If he really cared about "the Tennessee family", he would realize he was hurting them and step aside.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
Fixing this or that--the kicking game or offensive problems--seems to be the solution, eh?
I think that's THE problem! We seem to wait until the season is 4-5 games old before these "problems" get "fixed". Isn't that what the offseason is for?
Is it me, or does it seem like UT (namely, Coach Fulmer) doesn't have many solutions for things until the season gets going? By then, it's too late...
Colliervol writes:
As noted on the other article, I listened to the press conference and there was something very different in Phil's voice. He sounded deflated and defeated. Never have heard him speaking in the tone that I heard. He knows what's coming.
tnvol27#546179 writes:
Fulmer used to be a strict disiplinarian...now we have mental mistakes, gigling on the sideline, & a real lack of urgency from the players. I suggest he go back to the basics and bust some of these kids in the a**!! The tenacity is completely gone from this program.
Striker writes:
Another 3 million dollar quote from the big boy:
“I don’t want to scream,” Fulmer said. “I’m not a dog that barks and then runs into the house — I’m going to do my job on a daily basis — or barks from inside the house
A wise man......
thevoice writes:
I don't care if someone's won 5,000 games. If the game's passed him by, the game's passed him by. Someone in the media please ask the question: "Coach, if you were a fan and not a coach, what would be your comments about the current state of the UT football program?" And then follow things up by asking, "Coach if you were Mike Hamilton, how would you assess the current UT football program and its head coach?" I truly wish he would leave with honor, class, and dignity. Who says a program has to suffer through years of mediocrity after a National Championship?
volnbig11land writes:
You nailed it!
Go4Two writes:
I hope everyone's ready to lose 4 or 5 of our top recruits if CPF leaves. When the head coach is a good recruiter that's going to happen Clemson lost 3.
TommyJack writes:
It's an obsession with you. There is medication for that condition.
volnbig11land writes:
Appreciate your opinion but if CPF doesn't leave I hope everyone is prepared to continue to lose 4 or 5 games...
airvols#371403 writes:
This is not going to be pretty, I can see Phil making this very hard. I just hope Mike Hamilton has a pair, because he may need them. I would have my new coach already lined up when the change is made. It's a sing that he is in control of the program and we are moving in a different direction. The problem with a new coach is, this will create an new power base and good ole boys may not want to give that up. it's going to get nasty.
vol2211insc writes:
Guys I really think that the decision is in works but they want him to finish out the season. Right now Clemson is going through a disater after firing bowden mid season and the same can happen at TN (although Tennessee's players support fulmer unlike clemson). I really think that its been a great run for Phil and I think he'll go down as one of the best coaches ever at UT. But I can't stand to see my hometown team in so much confusion. They need to work this out and let him leave with dignity at seasons end and not before. Also they need to understand that some recruits might actually drop commitments (understandable with coaching changes). Lets try to get 3 more and maybe get some type of bowl game...
junder13 writes:
Yeah, and Dick Fuld could have said the exact same things in a press conference before Lehman went under. Oh wait, he pretty much did.
The thing is, in life as well as in football, its not about what you did back in 1998. Dick Fuld (as an example) was considered to be one of if not the best CEO on Wall Street before the subprime crisis (he won numerous CEO of the Year awards in the financial community). That didn't prevent Lehman from going under because of bad long-term decisions (increasing leverage, bad debt issuance, etc). The point is, Fulmer had his days of glory in the 90s, but because of better competition, tougher recruiting environment, and not adapting his game plan or game philosophy he has now become a mediocre (at best) coach--I would speculate below average, esp in the SEC.
You can say all you want about his past, but it will not change the future. If you want to trust he has or will change based on what he said than go ahead. I have doubts and did after 2005.
Are we to be optimistic about "improving" from this year's record back to last year or the year before? Or are we to be optimistic about a return to the "Decade of Dominance"? Just what are we to look forward to, Fulmer? And also, why can't you get specific on mistakes? If you don't recognize them than how can you change them? If you are hiding from the media and the fans, I hope you are not doing the same in front of the team, coaching staff and yourself...
thevoice writes:
That's what happens when you cut the arm off for the sake of the body. If not, the body will die too. Your choice, arm or body?
vol2211insc writes:
Oh yeah...would someone tell Dave Clawson that Denarius Moore is ILL!!!!!!.....Why is he not in on more plays????? 27 yards per catch but only like 8 catches....come on guys...
Go4Two writes:
word down here in Tampa is if Fulmer leaves Giles is gone.
junder13 writes:
Amen brother!
silvertr6 writes:
“This program is much bigger than me or anybody. Nobody wants the best for it more than I do.”
Nobody is wishin' or hopin' or fixin' or wantin' more than Phil.
Phil looked like a farmer in his clothes today at his press conference.
dbrum5 writes:
I don't know about you guys but I'm sick of hearing cpf saying "I've won alot more than I've lost." Yah alot of those wins came when he was getting talent in here. Now that the talent isn't here he's only winning a little more than he's losing.
junder13 writes:
Good point. The solution is obvious then: let's keep Foolmer and we'll get to see these great athletes play in another 2 or 3 years! Man, you should have Hambone's job!
NO_DIGGITY writes:
Naffy say we would be 8 and 0 if Rogers could catch. He wants Peyton as OC, Larry Seivers as WR coach, Ryan Karl as LB coach and Tim Priest as DB coach.
dbrum5 writes:
I don't think anyone is questioning his dedication to the program, the game has just pasted him by. Time to go!
silvertr6 writes:
Fulmer not focused on speculation
Based on this season, Phil is not focused, period.
TommyJack writes:
hahahaha
orangebloodgmc writes:
DCflorida writes:
"What is he focused on? ... Spurrier not embarrassing him again?"
Dude, Spurrier has not beaten Fulmer in years.
sampears writes:
I gotta idea, lets just asked Florida, Georga, Alabama, LSU, and others to pay for Phils salary. Shoot they will fill our stands too, win-win, heck if he keep workin like heck they will give him a raise!
14789632vols writes:
instant gratification- not quite and i'm not sure i want to kee defending someone who talks about his fans like that- after all they are paying his extremely bloated salary(yes pun)
thevoice writes:
Then there's the Tidy Bowl. Perfect fit.
gobigorange8464 writes:
Agreed
VolsRoadRash98 writes:
Probably so, but I'd say it largely depends on who the replacement is.
Hopefully it would be someone that can bring some fire and enthusiasm back to the program. Whoever it is, I'll be happy to sit through a few mediocre years until things get back on track.
dbrum5 writes:
for cpf to be gone, i'd give up the whole recruiting class!
junder13 writes:
For you UT fans who love to stand up for Foolmer, you're actually not alone. You might be surprised to find that you're in the majority! That's right, thousands and thousands of die hard Florida fans, Bammer fans, Georgia fans, Auburn fans, Pac 10 fans (the list goes on and on) will all stand up for Foolmer with you.
So maybe if we turn this into a nationwide vote, y'all will get to keep Foolmer. You'll probably only lose one state...
volguy41nlouisiana writes:
Well 2005 was 3 yearsssssss ago...lol..but all this talk about a bowl is hilarious. I truly dont see us in any bowl game. What a shame
volnbig11land writes:
Too funny!
I imagine it would be a landslide vote, don't you?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Man, did you send a tremor thru the SEC with the thoughts of Ryan Karl as LB coach!
dbrum5 writes:
I just hope that we don't win out so cpf can say i told ya I'd turn it around. what a tragedy that would be
AllVol2008#1353998 writes:
You, sir, are EXACTLT right. I hope that's what happens. Chattanooga is my hometown (and UTC my alma mater), but I am a Tennessean.
I'll tell y'all what. Coach Fulmer allowed my son to meet Peyton (my son was the first Peyton met in this capacity) for his Make a Wish in '97. He had us back up to meet Erik; He hauled hay for my aunt and uncle in Winchester. My God, Phillip played for the Vols. Phillip Fulmer is a fine man, and ALL VOL. It is horribly painful to see all the jokes, etc. and yet realize that he needs to step aside. But, mark my word, Phillip Fulmer IS Tennessee football, and don't think we're not going to feel something deeply not to see him on the sideline.
God bless and keep you Coach.
tnbigg writes:
Visor Boy
2005
Tn vs South Carolina L 16-15 3-4 (2-4)
2006
Tn vs (at) South Carolina W 31-24 7-1 (3-1)
2007
Tn vs No. 16 South Carolina W 27-24 5-3 (3-2)
In case anyone forgot last year...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmIAKA...
2008? They want to stomp us into the earth...and can...
Sheepscape writes:
I have philosophic issues with not letting a coach go as well as practical reasons.
Number one, you don't let the mercurial temperaments of a group of kids factor into whether or not you pull the trigger. No one can tell if these kids are going to pan out in X number of years. You may be right, but you may be wrong...by that time, how many losses will Fulmer have under his belt? How many more empty seats in the stadium? The truth is that Fulmer has had better ranked recruiting classes than what he has done with that talent. We've had top 20 classes, top 15 classes, and even a couple of top ten classes and what have we to show for it? How many top 20 finishes? A few. How many top ten? None.
Practically speaking, Fulmer is so resistant to getting freshmen involved it would be 2011 or 2012 before most of these kids see the field. This program doesn't have that kind of time. The fan base has turned, and the Bama game's attendance and high percentage of opposing teams will become the norm.
Fulmer must go. Period. How many more years at the bottom of the SEC is the program staring at until that occurs?
asleep#212036 writes:
Only if (1) he leaves/announces his resignation before the end of the season and (2), the next guy sucks at recruiting. I'm a firm believer that UT sells itslef to most of these kids, Fulmer just leads the horse to water and lets him drink. If the next coach is a big name, a good recruiter, and we don't make any announcements until after the season, I doubt any recruit will leave. Let's just hope Hamilton doesn't make the dreaded "we stand behind our coach and will re-evaluate at the end of the season" statement. That will tell our potential recruits (and other schools' recruiting staffs) all they need to know!
jgvol8 writes:
People don't worry about losing recruits if he leaves. We had a top 3 class two years ago and look how well that is working out. I would much rather have a 20th rated class with a coach that knows how to coach.Bottom line..... Great recruits don't mean anything if they aren't coached the right way in college.
Sheepscape writes:
Might lose four or five recruits, but we will lose four or five games(at least) next year if the coaching staff continues to blunder about the sideline. No offensive discipline, special teams continue to suffer on coverage, 3rd and Chavis is still a problem, and we cannot run the ball in short yardage.
vol2211insc writes:
Just being a realist...The best thing to do now is try to make the bowl season...any game is better than no game at all.
99gator writes:
i actually think tenn has a shot against carolina.
spurrier is not known to be conservative. if he lets garcia air it out, tenn can get some picks and some points.
if he plays it close to the vest and rides his defense, tennessee will have a hard time scoring.
my main concern would be how much emotion is tennessee going to have, because i think (defensively) they played their hearts out against alabama. usually, you don't bring that kind of effort two weeks in a row.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
with all due respect thats a stupid post------we havent gotten much accomplished with these great recruiting classes of the past cause we dont coach them up and expect better of them---sometimes you just have to throw out the babies with the bathwater and deal with the short term consequences of starting to build something better longterm----and you dont think we might gain some good ones to offset what we lose based on who the next coach is??
jmbigorange#280428 writes:
As long as Drayton is here we will keep Giles.
jimr07 writes:
Re: naffy the man has diarhea of the mouth. if i ran off at the bowels as much as he does at the mouth, i would be in sad shape.
gvegasvol writes:
Let me get this straight...you think that you are paying his salary? How??? Buying tickets to games? Hotdogs and cokes? Paying taxes? Why don't you look at his package and then make a statement on who is paying his salary. If your name is Haslam or Thunder you probably can say that - if not...well then you are just another misinformed fan.
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