I was looking at the Sentinel where Coach (Fulmer) had declined the administrative position with the President's office because of all the backlash regarding university wide financial cutbacks.  It got me thinking about the next step for Coach.  I kept thinking about what Coach said about maybe wanting to give it a go at a school (like Clemson) where everyone is passionate about football.  Well, that got me to thinking about some of  the vacancies floating around.  Where on earth could Coach go?

And that thought brought me back to the banks of the Hudson to where I first tried to get my parchment....

Army.

I know, I know it would never, ever happen (right?)... But I can tell you this.  The Service Academies may lack eye popping athletes, stadium seating numbers, facilities, a traditional campus life, and high end recruit draw.  But if you want real, raw passion and an honest to God yearning for some moderately successful football, Army may not be a completely insane idea. 

Moderately insane, well, yes. 

Completely insane....no.  If you watched the Phillip Fulmer Show for the last time, it was obvious how much Coach loved working with young people.  The Show highlighted some of the great stories of both players and non-players whose lives he had a positive influence on.  My point is this: if Coach wanted to get back to working with young people and wanted to worry less about the economics of wins and losses in big time college football, then Army may be the swansong the doctor ordered.  Trust me: Army fans would kill (bad choice of word) love a 7 or 8 win season, a win against Navy or Air Force, and a bowl game.  Check that: they would arrange for free Blackhawk rides for life!  And if he wanted to work with good people....well....let's just say that maybe he would have to worry less about how many of his players ended up in jail last night....

Army was once a proud power in Football.  National Championships in 1914, 1944, and 1945. Heisman Trophy Winners like Doc Blanchard, Glenn Davis, and Pete Dawkins.  Players with names like Dwight Eisenhower, Norman Schwarzkopf, Robert Neyland....

Army will most likely never be as competitive and influential as it once was.  That's pretty much certain.  If Coach Fulmer wants to compete for national and conference championships and nothing less, then obviously this little random thought is pointless.  But if he wants to work with good young people....If he wants to work with an organization that will simply appreciate more wins than losses....If  he wants to work with a fanbase that has no other solid expectations aside from good football and a shellacking of Navy....  Wow, that would be something.  Just sitting here, daydreaming about it is making me smile.  It's making me think about renewed excitement at Michie Stadium.  It's making me think about the things like the Rocket, On Brave Old Army Team,  Rock the Black-Gold, and Plebes pushing turf after touchdowns.  I realize it will never happen but MAN wouldn't that be something!  If you want to feel love, Coach Fulmer, see what would happen if you got Army back on track!

One of the things I remember Coach talking about leading up to his departure was about the things he would miss.  He said he would miss the trenches and fighting like hell for the win.  Well, if by some small miracle, Army and Coach Fulmer connected, he would find some damn fine young men to lead in those green, yard-lined trenches.  That would be something....

And it would be fitting too.  Tennessee, after all, got one of its great heroes from West Point in General Robert Neyland.  Maybe it's time to return the favor.