Recomend to replace Fulmer?

by Turkish Bob on Sep 28, 2008 7:58 PM EDT Comment 27 comments

Les Miles, Urban Meyer, Mark Richt, Nick Saban all represent younger coaches that injected a new level of sophistication to the game and SEC.

Who do you recommend to replace Fulmer, that is young and proven as a Head Coach or a Coordinator?

Trooper Taylor?

Terry Bowden?

John Gruden?

There are dangers of hiring a older coaches like George O'Leary, Butch Davis and David Cutcliffe if they choose to retire in 5 years.

Who do you Recomend?

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Fulmer's Replacement

Randy Sanders

by allvol423 on Sep 28, 2008 8:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He is a Tennessee native from Cookeville and a great offensive coach – Mack Brown. Not sure if we would not have to match Saban-money to get him though. After buying out our “OLD” coach who has sat back and watched every other of the before mentioned programs surpass him, we might not have enough money.

by coach799 on Sep 28, 2008 8:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

HOORAY FOR THE HUB CITY KID!

don’t see it happening, but Cooke-vegas is my hometown. sweet braggin’ rights,there!

whoshotwhointhewhatnow?

by thetennesseethumper on Sep 28, 2008 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

um.....

Why on earth would you leave Texas for Tennessee? Hometown is not a good enough reason for this lateral (who knows maybe even reverse) career move.

Someday we'll look back on this and plow into a parked car.

by MeytonPanning on Sep 29, 2008 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't see Mack Brown leaving either.

He has his recruiting machine working, which is usually enough to carry Texas into the top 10 rather consistently. That’s good for a long career and a fat wallet in Austin.

Like has been mentioned before, the best shot for a coach out of Austin would be Muschamp. He now has Texas recruiting ties and is incredibly popular in the South. Despite having apologized for his sideline profanity, that moment has cemented him as a Trooper-like persona who really gets involved with his players.

But even then, it’d would be a long, deep gouge into Big Orange wallets to pull a coaching change during the upcoming offseason.

by Hooper on Sep 29, 2008 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sure they'd come up with the money...

…even if all remaining games but Wyoming and N. Illinois were losses. That buyout is just too steep, and the economy too crappy to rationalize burning that cash. They’d have to talk him into retiring, which ain’t real likely to happen.

I could, however, see a Clawson falling-on-the-sword moment like Randy Sanders had. Which I’m not sure is really fair this early.

"Florida didnt win their first SEC title until 1991 and now they think they invented football."
-Ron Zook

by rustytanton on Sep 29, 2008 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Economy???

They could probably take down all bazillion of those new Flatscreens in the concourse and sell them as Souvenir Rocky Top Flat Screens for 10 K each….you know, “Watch TV and Vol Games on an authentic piece of Neyland Stadium History——your own concourse flatscreen!!!”

Actually, you know what? Our attendence is not so much down…..the stands are empty because everybody can watch the game on the flatscreen. On a trip for a hot dog near the gate 17 concessions, I think I could have watched the game from five different screens.

Someday we'll look back on this and plow into a parked car.

by MeytonPanning on Sep 29, 2008 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And at UAB,

you’d have been out of the heat and sun, too. Bonus!

by Hooper on Sep 29, 2008 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I may be neutral about Fulmer,

but I haven’t seen any reason to can Clawson yet. There are a lot of things in the offense that are working very well (running game, O-line play, route-running) for the most part. In fact, the running game may prove to be the best UT has had in the last 7 years. At this point, there’s no reason to pin the blame on Clawson for the offense.

But no matter how it happens, the passing completion % must be consistently above 50%. Without a semi-respectable passing game, the running game will have a very difficult time. And if the running game gets stopped, we get to watch our [shudder] punting game roll out. (Which, btw, we cannot blame the punter. He’s actually done well.)

by Hooper on Sep 29, 2008 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

OH GOD YES!

Hooper, YES YES YES! I’m not on the Fire Phillip Train. But I have to admit that I would be all over getting Muschamp in Knoxpatch. I would love to see someone with that much fire and intensity on our sideline. In fact, I might rename my dog BOOM M’EFFER.

Seriously though, that would be a great hire. Young, tough, intense, I think he could do well against some of the newer, seemingly more ruthless coaches in the SEC. I’m thinking of you Bama, LSU, and UF.

Someday we'll look back on this and plow into a parked car.

by MeytonPanning on Sep 29, 2008 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, wow.

I think I just gave the first RTT-gasm. Don’t tell my wife… ;-D

Muschamp will get a shot somewhere. It’s a matter of when, not if.

Oh, and I’ll say again that I’m officially neither for or against firing Fulmer. I know you all understand that, but my twitch-o-meter is firing for having commented this much in this thread, so there you go.

by Hooper on Sep 29, 2008 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't feel bad for posting here.

Don’t twitch too much. Coach is not exactly a spring chicken. I don’t think he’s one to pull a Bowden/Paterno and grind his way year after year into history. He may win an SEC title in a couple of years and decide that he’s had enough. So, while I submit comments on this thread, I don’t do it with the intention of adding any more vitriole towards Coach….I do it under the thinking that I believe that a head coaching change will happen sometime in the near future (within a 5 year window). Its never wrong to think in hypotheticals….especially after a painful weekend like this past one!

Someday we'll look back on this and plow into a parked car.

by MeytonPanning on Sep 29, 2008 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We're on the same page.

The coaching situation is something else to analyze, so I’m drawn to it like a moth to flame. And there’s no way Fulmer pulls a Paterno; that era of coaching loyalty ended somewhere around the turn of the century. If Penn State had been paying Paterno at the same rates that other major programs were paying coaches, JoePa would have been gone when the program struggled earlier. But at (still) half a mil a year, the guy’s simply too cheap of a hire to turn away. Especially for a major revenue program like PSU.

by Hooper on Sep 29, 2008 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Replacements

Lane Kiffin,
Possibly Skip Holtz
Possibly Brent Venables

Also we have to PAY WELL to ASSTS
http://newsok.com/article/3272539/?print=1

Give Trooper 350k to take over as O coord?
http://www.okstate.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=200&KEY=&SPID=143&SPSID=1420

by smokymtman on Sep 28, 2008 9:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hate to say it

But I think we burned all our bridges with Trooper Taylor when we so painfully refused to give him a look at OC.

Someday we'll look back on this and plow into a parked car.

by MeytonPanning on Sep 29, 2008 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm a Denver Broncos fan,

but I really like Lane Kiffin. My personal hope is that he goes to the Chiefs to take over after Herm. That way, Al Davis can get beat 6 times a year by former coaches he’s run out. :-D

I’m hesitant about Skip Holtz. Part of his success is that E. Carolina lowered admissions standards for athletes, enabling them to outrecruit their peers. Their early success this year came against two teams who appear weaker than advertised (though V-Tech may have hope). Credit where it’s due: E. Carolina has gotten much better. But I want to see if it’s sustainable.

by Hooper on Sep 29, 2008 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My Not So Short list...

DISCLAIMER: Again this is not a list made with the intent of adding onto to the Fire Fulmer fiesta. This list is made under the assumption that Coach’s career will end within 5 years for whatever reason: be it retirement, termination, resignation, other oppurtunities etc.

WILL “BOOM MOTHER EFFER” MUSCHAMP: YES YES YES HOOPER! I had to type that in all caps because I believe WILL MUSCHAMP speaks and thinks in all caps. Coaching Influences: Nick Saban, Tommy Tuberville, Mack Brown, Terry Bowden. This guy has the intensity that could reignite Neyland Stadium. In a league where Defense is king, I truly think this would be one of the best hires possible for any school in the SEC that is looking for a new coach. Probability Meter: Sadly, not likely, given Tennessee’s tradition of staying in the family (recent OC hires notwithstanding).

Steve Sarkisian: Coaching Influences: Lavell Edwards, Pete Carroll, Bill Callahan. I love this guy as a prospect. First, I love the BYU angle. No not the Morman thing. The small program that still manages to suceed angle. I mean its Utah folks. And yet they still managed to do great things that huge schools with 10x the resources have failed to do. What can you take from that? That creativity had to make up for what was not there in terms of resources. And I respect anybody that had anything to do with Lavell Edwards. That guy has churned out some winners in his time. Oh yeah, then there is all the success he had under Pete Carrol. Probability Meter: Maybe. Somebody is going to snatch this guy up quicker than Usan Bolt.

Lane Kiffin: Coaching Influences: His dad, Tampa DC Monte Kiffin, Pat Hill, Pete Carrol. Another great prospect for HC out of SC. And unlike Orgeron, Kiffin has actually been a coordinator. Recruiting ties into California and an impressive resume of NFL products makes this guy a top choice. And like my admiration for LaVell Edwards, I love that he was a QBs coach underneath Pat Hill. Hmmm QB coaches….notice any school in east Tennessee that seems to need one of those? Probablity Meter: Not Likely. Kiffin will have a job by the time UT starts its search.

Pat Hill: Coaching Influences: Pat Hill. The Chuck Norris of the coaching world. Anytime, anywhere, anybody. I love this guy’s fearless attitude. The 2005 game between Fresno State and USC was one of the most exciting games I’ve ever seen. Pat Hill took the Bulldogs into LA against the Number 1 team in the land and gave SC the battle of a lifetime. Probability Meter: Again, not likely. For some reason, Hill seems stuck in Fresno. Whether that is due to his desire to stay there or skepticism towards his ability to lead a mainstream program, I do not know. What I do know: the guy can coach and continues to take on anybody with overachieving teams with much less talent than the opposition.

Trooper Taylor: I wish. Probablity Meter: Bridge Burned. No Bridge Esploded. Probably needs more experience as Coordinator anyways. Will be the head coach of Baylor someday. I miss you Troop.

David Cutcliffe: Coaching Influences: Benito Mussolini. Look, I have no question this guy could be a great head coach at UT. I think he would be the presumptive next head coach at UT if it didn’t mean end of his friend’s career. If Fulmer is pushed out or fired, I don’t believe Cut will come back. If Fulmer leaves under pleasant terms, we could get Cut back. Here is the dillema: Do we want someone that long in the tooth? Don’t expect a decade and a half of service from Cut if he comes back. Another point to consider is the possibility of him willing Duke to the top of the ACC. Don’t laugh, that’s how good I think he is. But if he can do it, you have to wonder if he would want to leave Duke. Probability Meter: High. Unless the Fulmer transition is poisoned, then Impossible.

John Chavis: Coaching Influences: Al Wilson, The Great Wall of China, Soviet Era Air Defense Systems. I think the world of John Chavis. I think he continues to deliver year after year no matter how many superstars are on his roster. Say what you will about the Vols this year but after four games, opposing offenses have gained 288, 275, 226, and 258 yards of total offense. I’m sorry, but that reeks of consistency. Chief needs some help in the form of TD’s from the offense. Chief needs some help in the form of not giving up red zone (either red zone by the way) turnovers and special teams meltdowns. Probability Meter: Unfortunately Not likely. For some reason, Chief hasn’t gotten a look at a HC job and I think it has to do with him being happy where he is at. On a side note, I really wish people would back off of Chief. He is one hell of a football coach, faith in the Mustang Package notwithstanding.

Mike Leach: Coaching Influences: Manhattan Project, Johnny Depp, Long John Silver, captain Flint, PIECES OF EIGHT PIECES OF EIGHT, Pirates!!! Probability Meter: Yeah not so much. I wish though. Neyland Stadium and Mike Leach. That would be something. Just hope his aerial genius is enough to make up for a lack of a running game in the SEC.

Others to consider: Steve Kragthorpe, Todd Graham, Josh McDaniels, Norm Chow, Jim Schwartz, there are others, these are just ones I like a lot.

Someday we'll look back on this and plow into a parked car.

by MeytonPanning on Sep 29, 2008 1:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You crack me up. :-D

by Hooper on Sep 29, 2008 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ha, nice analysis

I would love to see Coach Cutcliffe back at UT. Then he can hire and (further) groom Peyton Manning to be his replacement!

by rblakeh on Sep 30, 2008 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do you guys really think

You’ll be able to pull current head coaches of other major programs to UT? I don’t mean that UT is a terrible place to coach but you just admitted that your program wouldnt pay to get a big name.

So that takes away, kragthorpe, Chow, Mike Leach, Pat Hill, Steve Sarkisian,

Cutcliff is in the perfect situation. All he has to do wis win 5-6 games a year and he’ll have a job for life. Plus, if he couldn’t do it at Ole Miss, what makes you think he could pull it off at UT?

Your best bet would be to go after a young OC or DC. The fanbase of course would have to put up with some losing seasons. Muschamp would be a great choice, theres a few guy on Bama’s staff that will one day be a head coach but i dare not mention their names here.

Don't take life to seriously, you'll never get out alive.

by bammer on Oct 2, 2008 2:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't think established coaches are concern.

Those aren’t the guys who tend to do well on transfers anyhow. For example, Meyer and Saban are successful, but they were both guys looking for their place to make a name for themselves (Saban for MSU, LSU and UA).

Cutcliffe did a remarkable job at Ole Miss. Most Rebels fans admit the school was rash in getting rid of him for one off season. They were worse for firing him.

Muschamp is a popular name in K’town right now. And I wouldn’t worry about not naming people. It’s not like hiding their names here will keep them from getting noticed in due time.

by Hooper on Oct 2, 2008 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bammer: Do you really think you’ll be able to pull current head coaches of other major programs to UT?

Yes. I mean come ON, be a little objective here. If Steve Sarkisian was offered a head coaching job, don’t you think he would at least consider it? You think he wants to be Pete Carroll’s coordinator for the rest of his life? I’m not trying to say that UT is the absolute dream job of every aspiring coach out there. I’m just saying its pretty big oppurtunity. I understand where your loyalties lie but give me a break. At least be a little objective.

And who admitted that Tennessee won’t pay to get a big name? At this point isn’t that the status quo for coaching hires?

As for Cutcliffe, he did do it at Ole Miss. But he wouldn’t fire his DC, Driesbach ,so they canned him for loyalty. What makes me think Cut could could do it at UT? I don’t know—— he did a heck of a job as OC. That leads me to believe he could do well as the head guy.

Someday we'll look back on this and plow into a parked car.

by MeytonPanning on Oct 2, 2008 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That was me being objective...

honestly..i got Sarkensian mixed up with someone else…..

So you’re telling me that after paying out 10 million in Fulmers buy out that UT would turn around and pay another guy 3,4,5 million? Maybe they would but i highly doubt they would put themselves in the same exact position. Going out and and trying to get the “Big” name doesn’t always work out. And again, im not saying that those coaches wouldn’t WANT to coach at UT. Any coach offered the right amount of money would come i guess. Hey just look no further than Saban.

But i still think you should go after a young OC or DC. Alabama had a chance to get Urban Myer after he left Bowling Green and look what happened to us. Sure we got Saban in the end but look at the road we had to go through to get him. Sarkisian is a great choice and if you can get him, grab him up. I just think Cut and Brown are too old and set in their ways.

Oh and on Cutcliffe. Sure he did fine at Ole Miss but he did most of that on the back of Eli. I honestly believe hes a terrific OC but not a great head coach.

Don't take life to seriously, you'll never get out alive.

by bammer on Oct 2, 2008 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs