Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton's open letter to Volunteer fans

by Joel Hollingsworth on Nov 3, 2008 5:58 PM EST in Tennessee Volunteer Football

Mike Hamilton's letter to fans:

Dear friends, This afternoon, Coach Fulmer announced he will step aside at the conclusion of the football season. I want to express my sincere gratitude for everything he has done for the University and our program.

Coach Fulmer has been, and will continue to be, a great representative of the University and the athletic department. He has dedicated a majority of his life to our program and brought home two SEC championships and a national championship. He has secured his place as the second winningest coach in Tennessee history behind General Neyland. I personally appreciate everything he has done for Tennessee and look forward to him continuing to be a part of our family.

I hope that you will come and show your appreciation for Coach Fulmer at the Wyoming and Vanderbilt games as well as the Kentucky game on Nov. 29 when we celebrate "Phillip Fulmer Day" in Neyland Stadium.
We will begin a national coaching search immediately. We have a great University, world-class student-athletes, a tremendous fans base and first-class facilities. As a result, we will attract some of the nation's best candidates. We will introduce a new coach to you over the next several weeks.

Thank you for your continued support of Tennessee football. Sincerely, Mike Hamilton

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Comments

You're Next, Mike

Since you’ve made it obvious that you don’t believe in loyalty, this won’t be a surprise to you. I’m sure you had plans to dump that old woman’s coach you have as soon as she has a losing season, regardless of what her recruiting class looks like. Perhaps your next target is the men’s b-ball coach. He hasn’t won the big one, you know. I will have problems accepting that the second most successful coach ever at UT was given his walking papers. You’d better hope that he’s done with coaching, or you will be the next guy on the street, and your resume doesn’t look nearly as impressive as his!

by astrovol on Nov 3, 2008 10:19 PM EST reply actions

Put Fulmer in as AD.

Think of all the other Head Football Coaches who have gone into the AD position. Doug Dickey, Vince Dooley, Frank Broyles, I’m sure there are others.

I think the “loyalty” card is overplayed. Phil Fulmer was handsome compensated for his time at UT. I know there was a brief flirtation with the NFL, but I don’t think that was really serious.

I don’t know how old you are so I don’t know if you remember, but Doug Dickey wasn’t very loyal to Johnny Majors when Fulmer got the job.

by wvvol on Nov 3, 2008 11:20 PM EST up reply actions

Yes! Fire Mike Hamilton! Rehire Phil Fulmer! We are happy with 3 and 6 and our program going down the crapper!!!!

I mean, Eric Berry said it best “These last 3 games will be dedicated to Coach. You will see a team play with emotion and passion!”

That’s great Eric!! This team is 3 and 6 and this is what it takes to play with emotion and passion!!

And Josh Briscoe and Ramon Foster need to learn how to catch and block and then maybe worry about running an athletic department. Ridiculous.

What has he done in the last 10 years to make you people think he can compete with Meyer and Richt and Saban?? What?? Nothing. Exactly. Only lose the most embarrasing game to the worst team in the history of the program, and look bad doing it. Not to mention keep playing players that would not be able to start for a 1-AA program while better players waste their careers on the bench.

IT IS NOT 1998 ANYMORE. HE WAS DONE. WE HAVE TO MOVE ON.

/rant over. sorry.

I hate Music City Miracles!

by gramsey712 on Nov 4, 2008 12:23 PM EST up reply actions