B.J. Coleman
His brief tenure as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator undone by his head coach’s firing, Dave Clawson made the following statement on his way out the door last November:
“The first thing the next head coach here needs to do is name B.J. Coleman his starting quarterback.”
(And to think some of us spent much of the 2008 season believing Clawson was the president of the Jonathan Crompton Fan Club.)
Continue reading at the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
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Comments » 71
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Now THAT... is interesting.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
There is going to be some laundry aired out here. Kiffin won't take it sitting down. The whole thing is tough to grasp. BJ always seemed pumped about playing for the Vols and was in the mix before he walked out. Kiffin will deny the missed meetings but one has to wonder... are all of these lying comments from the lopers and Al Davis a little more valid than we would like to believe?
give_him_6 writes:
Kiff had better get his ducks in a row. Cause BJ is going to tell all. This is a great example of the politics of college football. Kiff is after that big fish and if BJ is the guy for 2-3 years, Kiff is probably thinking it will scare off the "big fish". But someone needs to explain to Kiff that an instate kid who grows up wanting to play and win titles for the Vols is a very powerful thing. Remember Al Wilson? The undersized, instate LB who grew up loving the Vols? Never under estimate the heart of in state kids. They will give you more than a 5 star recruit from timbuk to ever will. This is going to be a painful lesson for Kiff.
GreerVol22 writes:
Fulmer ran his ship somewhat the same with respect to speaking with his players. Take the issues to your position coaches and trickle up. Most every coach at this level does. No , it doesn't make it right, its just the system.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
Sounds like BJ has a home at Bowling Green
marinevol writes:
Aw, he got his feelings hurt. Can't be worrying about quitters. We had too many players quit on the field last year. Good luck, BJ. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
You all are a bunch of drama queens. It's real simple, BJ is a middle level SEC talent. We got him cause that was all we could get under Fulmer/Cut at the time. Kiffin wants top level talent and he's not shy in pursuing that goal. BJ wants to play, don't blame him, he's not going to play much beyond next year...that's just the facts and given the top shelf talent Kiffin is working on, I think even the most die hard Chattanooga loyalist will be happier with the incoming talent then with BJ. Good luck to BJ, hope he finds a good fit for him.
AugVol writes:
I read the article, I don't understand the title. What does "departure may signal end" mean?
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
The end of the Kiffin honeymoon with vol fans. It's at the end of the article.
AugVol writes:
Ahh.. ok.. thanks. I missed that at the end.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
I don't care about what that idiot clawson says about anything. He was without doubt the worst OC I have ever seen...
give_him_6 writes:
Is that what you're gonna say when Crompton can't make the handoffs in the games again this year?
smokyredbone writes:
Fair or not,CLK did not want a sophmore QB that he didn't recruit starting. He is out trying to get "His" QB and having a senior at the helm will make that easier. BJ produced somewhat better number at times this spring,but it was always against the 2nd team defense "big difference". I wish him well,but his childish exit left me with less respect for him as a person and a player. All Clawson did was pushup Crompton all year,so his exit comments were similar to BJ's. and I respect him less as well.
Beware of Rockybottomvol he infected my computer,KNS needs to get rid of him before he causes someone serious damage to their computer!
BSweet writes:
That was perhaps the most colored piece of (so-called) journalism that I have ever read.
Vol_Fan_N_NC writes:
Smart move on the kid's part because he wasn't going to see the field this fall anyway, he didn't have it in him to compete for the job. I'm not the least bit upset, nor would I even dare to blame Kiffin & Co. for this. This kid's ego is too big and he couldn't stand having to compete for the starting job over the summer. For those who think this will turn the Orange Nation on Kiffin, YOU ARE WRONG. And I don't see how losing a kid who barely saw the field is going to affect anything. Everyone knows that the #1 priorety this summer is recruiting a QB. Happy Trails BJ..... Now I see why he goes by "BJ" HAHA
Voluvr writes:
The problem with Clawson was that he wasn't man enough to stand up to Fulmer who wanted JC. You could also see CPF's influence in a totally different offense that didn't look too different. He kept JC going then on exit makes that statement. That was a jab toward Fulmer more than it was to help BJ.
BJ and Stephens are in the same boat. Both better than Crompton, but unfortunate for them, underclassmen. They are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Their success could inhibit recruiting a top QB for 2010.
They both are in the wrong place at the wrong time.
MrBamSeydu writes:
hahahaha What a LAAAME column!! Is that guy BJ Coleman's dad or uncle or something??
The END OF LANE KIFFIN AT UT because BJ COLEMAN left????? All this fuss over a 2nd or 3rd string QB? The only reason Dave Clawson said what he said was the BJ Coleman was the QB who played the least. Soooo obviously it makes him look better to say the QB that didn't really play is the best QB and it was Fulmer's fault he didn't play, and not his own.
maaaan, get outta here with that mess. he was a 3 star QB, and is a 3 star QB at best in college right now, I don't care if he was born in Neyland Stadium, we want the BEST players and that's what Kiffin and Co. are doing as we speak.
Voluvr writes:
I'm with coach, but standing anyone up on two scheduled meetings is not good. That's a respect issue. Coach didn't want to face getting pinned down by BJ, or just didn't care if he talked to him or not.
TO THE NEXT PERSON THAT CALL BJ A WUSS, to a player, playing time is money. When was the last time you left a job for a better one?
smokyredbone writes:
Only thing this signals is the end of us having to hear from the Chattanooga press! Good Riddence! BJ sounding like a crybaby,maybe this is why he never had either staffs confidence!
smokyredbone writes:
Yeah UTC is for sure an upgrade! Not! Crybaby!
givehim6 writes:
I think Colemans biggest problem was the man who believed in him went to Duke. Bj would better himself by transferring to Duke. I do fill bad for the kid, because I think he has did his best for UT and it was Fulmores fault, now Kiffins for getting smitten by Jon Boy. I really hope where ever he ends up at he puts up all american #s.
StroVol writes:
What's with the Chattanooga bashing? What forest are you from sh.t heel?
just4utk writes:
I know that there are going to be those that say that BJ played against the 2nd team defense. If that’s true, that’s not his fault. That’s the coach’s fault. If I were Coach Kiffin, making $2 million a year, I’d test all my quarterbacks to see who was the best. BJ was not given a fair shake.
That being said, look at the opportunities that Crompton and Stephens got compared to Coleman. I think Coleman has a gripe. This information game from utsports.com http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/t...
Crompton’s Drives
10 play drive - TD run by Hardesty
7 play drive – DEFENSE SCORES 5 POINTS
16 play drive - DEFENSE SCORES 3 POINTS
7 play drive - DEFENSE SCORES 3 POINTS
3 play drive - DEFENSE SCORES 3 POINTS
12 play drive – TD pass to Rogers
Stephens’ Drives
6 play drive – 44 yard FG
5 play drive – TD pass to Warren
3 play drive - DEFENSE SCORES 3 POINTS
9 play drive – FG attempt no good
7 play drive - DEFENSE SCORES 3 POINTS
5 play drive – End of Game
Coleman’s Drives
6 play drive – TD pass to Warren
14 play drive – 31 yard FG
14 play drive – TD pass to Hancock
BOTTOM LINE, BJ WAS NOT GIVEN A FAIR SHAKE.
We just lost our best quarterback and future.
Major_Magilicutty writes:
Losing respect for Kiffin...a great deal of it. Treat your players with respect, and I'll give you mine. All this BS about open competition and he went out of his way to hamper BJs ability to compete. I feel like we've lost what the VOLS were.
TommyJack writes:
In many ways I feel for the kid. Imagine being told you're sitting down in favor of JC. Now that's got to be traumatic.
HallowedHill writes:
I liked Coleman as a VOL but completely understand his desire to move on. I feel he is a solid B+ quarterback, but that simply isn't good enough to take UT to the level fans or coaches expect. If Clawson liked Coleman so much, why didn't he make Coleman the starter? We've got to remember the last UT coach that listened to Coleman was fired so I don't put much weight in his statement. It's obvious that there are some Chattanooga Vol fans that aren't happy that Coleman is leaving and that is understandable. However Kiffin has a job to do and you can't blame him for trying to fill the team with 5 Star/ A+ players to ensure his longevity. Just like I was happy to see Brandon Stewart succeed at Texas A&M, I'll keep my eye on Coleman and hope for the best. Do I wish Fulmer had split time with Stewart and Peyton Manning? LOL, no.
StroVol writes:
I hear you. This is a low rent move. Hometown Scholar Athlete with Vol passion recruited by a great QB coach gets pushed aside for the future. Where am I? Miami
TommyJack writes:
Clawson pretty much DID keep his mouth shut. Never heard that "new coach should name BJ starter" ditty before. I DO know that Clawson wanted to sit JC down at halftime in the UCLA game and was overruled. I'm still facinated by whatever photos JC had on FHCPF and now on CLK. JC has been given more chances than George Foreman.
JWilly writes:
All I know is that we have a coach who has a losing record as a HC, has a HUGE ego and has serious mouth-control issues. You have to be living in a hole if you do not have some concerns.
I hope all of this goes away when the season starts in the Fall.
AustinTX_Vol writes:
No kidding. End of Coleman's career as a Vol I guess. Maybe Coleman was thought tho be the next Obama by some. The great messiah leading us to the promise land. I know many posters on here thought he was the best choice at QB, but if now 2 coaching staffs have thought he wasn't the man, maybe there is something to it. I will take the coaching staff's opinion over a few armchair QBs any day.
AustinTX_Vol writes:
That's funny. You keep looking more and more like the idiot everyone says you are. Looks like they're right on that.
lomas98 writes:
If naming Coleman the starting QB was what the new coach should do, why didn't Clawsen to that? As far as him leaving, this is the second coaching staff in a row apparently not going to give him a shot. Maybe coaches really do know more than fans. Do the fans want Coleman so bad just because we know what Crompton and Stevens can't do and we hope Coleman can just be better? Or does Cutcliffe's seal of approval mean everything? Coleman has proven absolutely nothing and us fans are not at practice to see what goes on there. If he was the better QB, surely 2 different coaching staffs would put him in.
toto_cold writes:
YOUR EXACTLY RIGHT. THERE IS ONLY ONE CONSTANT IN THIS AND THAT IS BJ SO THAT SHOULD TELL YOU WHERE THE BLAME IS. I WAS AT THE O&W GAME AND HE DID NOTHING TO IMPRESS ME SURE HIS STATS LOOKED GREAT, BUT THERE IS ALOT MORE TO IT THAN INDIVIDUAL STATS. HIS ARM LOOKED WEAK, ONE HOPPING EASY THROWS TO RECEIVERS. EVEN IN WARM-UPS HIS BALL WAS CONSISTENTLY BEHIND THE RECEIVER AND HE NEVER ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT IT. I JUST THINK IF HE WAS HALF AS GOOD AS HE AND SOME THE FANS THOUGHT HE WAS HE WOULD WIN THE HEISMAN THE PROBLEM IS THAT HE ISN'T EVEN CLOSE. MAYBE HE CAN GO TO UT CHAT AND BE ALL CONFERENCE.
Volunatic writes:
Are we sure the CFTP writer didn't make up the Clawson quote? It's the first I ever heard of it.
I think BJ Coleman was the best choice to be QB next season, and I understand his frustration at being stuck behind Crompton on the depth chart, no matter how badly Crompton played. Still, this means BJ will always be a "quitter" in the minds of many Vol fans, myself included.
Hopefully this will improve UT's chances at recruiting Heaps.
GO VOLS!
GreerVol22 writes:
Doc, supposedly Clawson's father lives in Charlotte 2 houses down from a big time Alumni sponsor. According to that source, Fulmer tied Clawson's hands and was actually calling most all the plays last year. Bones tremble at the thought. His father is only now talking about the situation to protect his son.
vol_chaz writes:
Its the END of the honeymoon.. people...
Whats done is done..CLK lost a good one..
just4utk writes:
And the 2011 Heisman Trophy Award goes to . . .
BJ Coleman, Duke University
StroVol writes:
How many ga's,lsu's,fla's, or bama's would let crompton anywhere near their campus?
toto_cold writes:
None. But that is not the point. BJ wasn't any better and Kiffin did not want to be stuck with him for three more years where as Crompton is a senior and will be gone next year.
NashvillePreds writes:
Sounds like some Chattanoogans had their feelings hurt. Coleman threw one TD pass against Vandy. Unfortunately, it was to a Vandy defender. He is not a D-1 player.
Plain and Simple.
TommyJack writes:
And JC IS??
Volunatic writes:
florida tried recruiting Crompton.
Volunatic writes:
Oops, it was actually Georgia that I was thinking of. SoCal, South Carolina, Miami, Clemson, and Virginia all offered him scholarships, too. (I bet he could have gotten a scholarship offer from uf if he had expressed interest, though.)
http://newsok.rivals.com/viewprospect...
StroVol writes:
What a shame, that would have changed history.
agentorange writes:
BJ SUCKED JUST LIKE HIS NAME. All three qbs suck outloud. I watched them stink all last year.
give_him_6 writes:
As am I man. He is now doing what Phil did near the end. And he lost his players respect and it cost him. I'm not asking Kiffin to be a saint. Just be honest with the players. They're the ones keeping you in a job man. Don't ever forget that!!
bigtimevol writes:
Here's the bottom line...IF any of the three qb's showed that they were head and shoulders better than the other, instead of the bunch of them being middle of the SEC pack qb's AT BEST, then they would be playing. For lack of seperation of obvious talent, then everyone's going to have a thought on who should be the qb. I hear pretty much hear the equal amount of opinions for why each should and shouldn't be the qb. I think BJ's not happy with the fact that he MAY be the guy for next year...but regardless of what he does, unless he performed stellar, he would not be the guy the next year. He should just call a spade a spade and not air dirty laundry. That's the most troubling thing...that for the past TWO years, the Big Orange nation has had to argue who should be the qb from a pool of mediocre talent...or that doesn't have the ability yet to transer to victories over top level teams. Hunker down, play good D, run the ball, hope to win 8 games, and bring in a stud next year.
StroVol writes:
Up yours, with your name calling. BJ has a dozen plays under his belt. We won't know if he sucks jerk. We are aware Crompton's stats.
Exfix writes:
Bad move CLK, the honeymoon is over for me. After all the dumb comments and childish behavior, this was the final straw. I'm still a Vol fan always, but you better produce.
jasonn1970 writes:
Anytime a key part of your article is a quote from Dave Clawsen you know you're reading phooey. What would you expect the Chattanooga paper to say when their hometown hero isn't good enough to make it in the big time? As for the honeymoon being over - GET REAL. 99% of us UT fans care about exactly one thing. As a result most of us won't have anything bad to say about Kiffen until he loses a game.
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