All six graduate assistants with Tennessee's football program will not return next season.
Included in the group are former UT players Casey Woods, Jim Bob Cooter and Kevin Simon.
Cooter, a former reserve quarterback, finished his second season with the Vols as a graduate assistant, as did Raasaan Haralson, who spent two years as an assistant strength and conditioning coach before becoming a graduate assistant under former UT defensive coordinator John Chavis prior to the 2007 season.
Simon, who led the Vols in tackles in 2003 and 2005 as a middle linebacker, spent the last two seasons working with the strength and conditioning staff and in the recruiting office.
UT will honor the scholarships of all six former graduate assistants. It is unclear why those six will not return.
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 101
dvols writes:
hmmm, are we done yet?
Rockford writes:
Breaking News: The waterboys from the 2008 season will be not be returning in 2009.
hdav06#387651 writes:
Clean house is right. I can't imagine it was their choice. They would not have left their scholarships intact if they had quit.
The logic behind this escapes me at the moment.
byobbio writes:
Now that the semester's stared, let's get rid of them!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Cooterless Vols facing the Hilltoppers!
Whoda thunk it?
CoverOrange writes:
How many years does it take to get a Master's? Or were they working on their PhD's?
marinevol writes:
I've always felt that Cooter was primarily responsible for the failures of the UT offense last season. Really, the game had passed him by.
jobrando#216494 writes:
What do they do? Do they get paid?
tnbigg writes:
Alas and alak...doom and gloom overwhelm us...are there no prisons...are there no workhouses...whatever shall we do...forsooth...the darkness gathereth like a flock of vultures eyeing their next meal...and a grand meal it is...mmm....mmmm....mmm...bring on the vultures...the doldrums doth shake our very timbers...it stinketh like a crock of excrement...nasty news indeed...
TommyJack writes:
No Cooter, huh?
tnbigg writes:
I'm not wearing my 12 year old underwear today...nope...never again after that...
TennesseeTuxedo writes:
So, I see that some of you think that being a Graduate Assistant is an entitlement.
This is not Fill's program anymore.
ctownvol writes:
Unfortunately and I am a big fan of Cooter.
SemperVol writes:
That Wacker kid coulda takin' a likin' to the Coot-man.
(good grief... this could go on and on)
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Not sure, but Dupree's uncle was promoted to janitor after 5 years in the 6th grade.
Sheepscape writes:
Heh heh heh
SemperVol writes:
HAHA! Or Peter.
cainclifton23 writes:
can't wait.
ctownvol writes:
No Cooter? Who's gonna tow the General Lee for Bo and Luke now?
SemperVol writes:
This, quite possibly, might be the funniest thing I've read all day.
Says alot, because I waste alot of time on here....
invisiblekid writes:
And for that, you should be commended.
VAvolfanRON writes:
Maybe that is why you watch the Vols play on TV or up in the stands and not on the sidelines!!!!....lol
kidding my friend
invisiblekid writes:
Guess this means I have to get rid of my "I'm a Cooter FANatic" tee shirt now?? Probably for the best, it was getting fuzzy around the edges anyway.
lilvolcoach writes:
When everyone said CLEAN HOUSE, this is what it meant. Sorry for these guys, but Coach Kiffin took the requests to heart it seems.
BigOrangeJeff writes:
Does that mean you would have removed every player currently on the roster? Every existing commitment? Every conference, bowl, and championship trophy? All the money generated by the program for the last 17 years?
Dang, how'd we miss out on hiring you as the coach? Here we are, stuck with Kiff...
BOJ
yeavols#228407 writes:
and HOW! The Kiffin rules are too strict..no more fun and games..that gravy train has run its course.
beachvol writes:
1. You can be a graduate assistant working on a doctorate degree.
2. A GA in the football program is in essence a coach in training. Their work as a GA is much more important to their career than their academic studies.
I feel bad for the guys and hope each of them find another opportunity. There are some quality individuals there. On the other hand, I understand Kiffin's view. He needed their work during the last few weeks, but he notified them in time to go to the American Coaches Association conference this week so they can look elsewhere.
sameolvolalum writes:
Yep. Living down here in South Carolina, I see the same scenario fomenting in Columbia. Spurrier's diminishing leadership has stunk up their whole system. They're doomed------which will become more evident this next season. Kiff's getting rid of all residue of the '08 attitude attrition and for a good reason. Y'all know the bad apple adages. Kiff's turning this WHOLE boat around.
tnbigg writes:
Thank you. Even though I now vow NEVER to wear them again...I promise I NEVER wore them at anytime in the crows nest!
TommyJack did embarass me a little...but it was good lesson and I have mended my ways with regard to that issue.
tn_jack writes:
I wish them all luck. It appears to me that our new coach wants no hang-overs from the undisciplined Fulmer era. At this time, I'm behind him 100% and support him in all the decisions he makes. He sure has made some pretty good ones so far.
GO VOLS! BEAT TUCKY!
Waldorf writes:
I thought Kiffin was in California today because his wife was giving birth?
This probably happened a month ago and the KNS just decided to report it today.
invisiblekid writes:
Hey, as long as they are being washed, I don't see the problem :)
crappieking writes:
Rockford, you are mistaken, Crompton, Stevens, and Coleman are returning.
BigT_Chief writes:
Cleaning house is a good idea. If you don't, then you run the risk of the whole "well, we used to do it this way" scenario, which causes friction and hampers the teamwork.
LargeOrange writes:
Could also be that ole Kif has a few more relatives in need of work, say a couple of nephews or 3rd cousins. It's ok, they can report to the Director of Football Operations, whoever that is, that way it is all legal like.
gohawks1 writes:
WWCD
What will Cooter do?
StroVol writes:
Watch out Hamilton, that crew may axe you too.
hdav06#387651 writes:
Graduate Assistant equals entitlement? No, it equals a scholarship, which they didn't pull. Maybe he has some USC graduates he want's to plug into those positions and we can just push the cost up a little more.
I would make them work for their scholarships.
gohawks1 writes:
Jim Bob Cooter - the man, the myth, the legend.
Things on the hill will never be the same.
GerryOP writes:
235
Fulmerites better be duckin' and hidin'. The days of educatin' and mentorin' are over.
Fear The Kiffin
StroVol writes:
No kidding, calm down guy. At least leave us the Cheerleaders
volfan1967 writes:
Hey dummy it never was illegal only a school policy.
tnbigg writes:
Well said...well said...
volfan1967 writes:
Go away ZZ. LMAO
volfan1967 writes:
Yes it is
LargeOrange writes:
Oh, excuse me, Mr Rocket Scientist, that would be a school policy, sort of like the class attendance policy, banned substances policy, team meeting attendance policy, curfew policy, etc. ect. So it is "do as I say and not as I do"? We will follow this policy but not this one? OK by me, I just think it is funny that we haven't played a down or won a game yet, but right now this guy can do no wrong. A few years and a few losses to FLA and ALA and I will check back to see if you are still hooked up to the Kool-Aid IV. I hope so, but I seriously doubt it.
Vol23304 writes:
Looks like anyone with orange blood is bad blood.
Waldorf writes:
Nice try croc.
If Kiffin had this ability under Davis in Oakland, he might not be coaching here now. Unfortunately, he never had the authority to make any of these decisions.
Now go stare at your picture of Tebow and do whatever you Gator fans do when thinking about him.
pammyvol1000 writes:
OH NO.. not Jim Bob Cooter...come on dude..
invisiblekid writes:
"It was a great visit when he stopped by to see me," Montgomery said of Lane Kiffin. "He wants to get me down there and start training me. He is a man on a mission to take over an SEC school. He is getting the right recruits to do it. He is looking for the best and that they will have to work and I can respect that. I like that."
Sounds encouraging from Sam Montgomery.
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