The heat under Tennessee head coach Phil Fulmer's derriere has never been hotter. The Vols, winless in conference play and only 2-4 overall, host Mississippi State in an absolute must-win matchup this weekend in Knoxville.Tennessee AD Mike Hamilton, quiet until now on the subject of Tennessee's second disastrous season in the last four years, finally hinted at some upcoming 'policy'.
"Our traditional model at the University of Tennessee is that we evaluate these kinds of things on a year-end basis," said Hamilton in an exclusive interview with the News Sentinel on Tuesday and his first public comments in weeks on the subject. "That doesn't preclude you from doing something different.
The Vols have six games remaining. And even though it's mid-October, Hamilton said he's heard from concerned boosters and realizes that losing donations may soon become a possibility if the Vols don't improve.
"That's always a risk, particularly in a year with economic situations being as they are," Hamilton said.
Keep in mind that Hamilton has been largely in support of his head football coach until now. He gave Fulmer a raise and contract extension in 2007 after winning the SEC East and has been loathe to criticize the SEC's Dean of Coaches. Hamilton's words seem to have the kind of careful timing that good politicians use to stage their next move. More:
And finally, it looks like Hamilton suggested a bare minimum record of performance for Phil Fulmer.Hamilton confirmed that some boosters have discussed Fulmer's possible replacement, but said those conversations have been limited.
More than just a .500 record, Fulmer is also fighting off apathy from UT's fan base.
"You don't want apathy," Hamilton said. "Apathy is a program killer."
Croomings have been a rare sighting this season, but we might see one in Knoxville if Sly Croom's Bulldogs can pull off the (marginal) upset.Hamilton declined to put a win-loss record on what it would take to make a coaching change. Instead, Hamilton said he was looking for a program that showed signs of heading in the right direction.
When pressed on the issue, particularly a 6-6 record, Hamilton said tersely, "Our goals are not to be a .500 ball club."
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
I am concerned with what appears to be Fulmer's recent apathy to what is taking place on the field during the game. Is he okay? He is usually a fiery coach and I am not seeing that this season. UT is a storied team and the presence of Peyton Manning didn't even seem to make a difference. It would seem to me that if the coach finds his fire the team will find theirs. Just an observation.
The problem with Fulmer is that he is losing out on the recruits. Since Urban Meyer, Les Miles, Nick Saban and to some extent Spurrier have join the SEC Tennessee is a 2nd tier school. Eric Berry is one of the few exceptions. Until Tennessee can compete in the recruiting game, it will be the same old story. And unfortunately Fulmer doesn't look like he can compete off the field and this year on the field. Fulmer has been a great coach for the Vols, but right now this is not what Tennessee football needs. For the SEC, for the other teams competing in the BCS, Tennessee needs to get back on track. Hopefully Hamilton listens to the $$$ from the boosters and does the right thing.
Blah blah blah blah.
UT beats UCLA (should have happened; jet-tired team on the road opening the season in a stadium with lots of support, makes bone head mistakes.)
UT Beats Auburn (should have happened; antsy QB drops ball in endzone, TD causes the loss directly)
UT beats UGA (long shot, but the bad calls in the first half, and particular the second one that gave UGA a first down instead of a punt when it was 13-7, changed the momentum of the game. UGA went up 20-7 after that crap call at the half.)
Would make UT 5-1 instead of 2-4; erase the hypothetical UGA loss and you have 4-2, with one loss coming to UF (not a bad program) and the other on the road to UGA (not a bad program.)
Let's finish the season before making crazy statements about second tier etc. They have lost to UCLA, yes, but Uf lost to Mississippi. Stuf happens. Losing to UF, and to UGA and AUburn on the road, isn't the end of the world. It just means you aren't on top of the world.
Give it a few more games fellows; like 6 more. Then see what we have here. It is wayyyy too early to judge. Did you learn nothing last year?
I only partially agree. If you look at how the current roster was rated coming out of high school, there's plenty of talent to beat schools UT has lost to this year. .
Well said JS. My folks back home want Fulmers head but I'm not ready to blame him for bad QB play and horrendous officiating. (97 yd GA TD drive, 45yds of penalties, 30 questionable yards -at best- in that one drive.)
If they do make a change then I hope like hell they pay whatever it takes to bring our boy home from Duke.
JS: What are your excuses for Florida? The games were played, the mistakes made, and you can't play "would of ", "should of" to justify poor preparation and coaching. Fulmer was just about here last year, and he pulled a rabbit out of a hat and they rewarded him with an extension. This year the hat is empty, and the decline since 01' is obvious to all but those who live in denial. I agree in that, he should not be fired until the end of the season, but at 5-7 or 6-6, he is a goner.