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?

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The Athletic Department has been absolutely silent about this process thus far hiding behind the shroud of "Let's just take this time to honor Phillip Fulmer."

Give. Me. A. Flipping. Break.

I'm sure Mike Hamilton is closely monitoring and working diligently with the staff in making the preparations to send off Coach in style.  And if you believe that, I've got a great investment opportunity I need to talk with you about.

I'm sure Mike and Co. are going crazy right now trying to clandestinely contact respective candidates, who by the way are in the middle of a season, trying to gauge interest for this job.  And if they can't, because of it being inappropriate, get a hold of the coach, I'm sure they are having interesting talks with certain agents who may or may not represent said coaches. 

Having said all that, I've casually watched the RTT Coaching Survey and I've got to say it.  I'm not that thrilled about a lot of the prospects we have looked.  I like some but not most, and with all the others it's just too much of a long shot.  So here's my long winded spiel.  And if you stay untill the end I'll throw a curveball that I haven't heard anyone talk about yet.

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Yesterday and today have been pretty tough.  Yesterday's press conference was a huge punch in the gut--not because I didn't think "change" was going to happen this season or soon after--but because we saw a man who was facing the reality that the Institution that he loved and served nearly his entire professional life didn't love him quite as much.  Judging from yesterday, the day each of us have to face that type of reality is a sad, sad day.

I'm not going to argue against the decision.  People who are paid to make the objective, tough choices made this decision and I'm sure there was a thorough "process" that fully examined whether this needed to be done.  Fine.  I can will have to live with that. 

Here is what bothers me.  What now?  For my entire life, Tennessee has been run by a Tennessee man.  Say what you will about the two, but Phillip Fulmer and Johnny Majors were absolutely all about and all for Tennessee.  My worry is that the era of the coach that lives to serve has been replaced by the era of the coach that is going to get paid.  Are we going to find the captain that leads this team for the next decade plus?  Or are we going to find the stop gap that leads this football team with an eye constantly out for his future.  Is there a candidate out there that can embrace Tennessee or is it full of candidates that are chomping at the bit to have "Head Football Coach, Tennessee" as a sexy, yet temporary bullet point on their resume?

I'm worried.  Very worried.  We saw what Florida, Alabama, Nebraska, and Notre Dame went through during their extended search for a coach.  I'm worried that the Volunteer State is about to experience the same thing.  

Things I hear at work, and the things I want to say but can't because the economy stinks and the only things I hate more than crimson elephants are job searching and moving.

1. The "Bama Band Jerkface" guy said, "Want to go to Smoothie King for lunch?"

Hello, That guy.  You would want to go to smoothie king, princess.  I know you are not aware of this, but I wear size 38x34 pants.  It says so on my jeans.  In other words, I don't go to Smoothie King unless there is a new Meat-tastic Smoothie I haven't heard about.  I know as much about smoothies as I do about Indian curry cuisine: which is to say nothing and it would probably Muschamp my stomach.  Yes that is a new verb.  Get used to it.  Disclaimer: I don't have anything against Smoothie King or anyone who goes there.  I just needed the mechanism to make fun of Jerkface...... I'm sure Smoothie King is quite wonderful...(that last line was a bald faced lie)

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Well, it's been fun folks, but it looks like my brief stint at RTT may end with this post. The standards of taste and appropriateness enforced at RTT will probably preclude my staying on as a contributor.  But sometimes...you get these weird ideas and decide--it just had to be said...

-MeytonPanning

There is a whole world of political intrigue, backdoor dealings, false fronts, and posturing that seldom gets talked about.  In this secretive world you are constantly watching your back, checking every move, and making sure that nobody sees or hears too much.  Behind the closed doors of this less than magical place, you do things that you hope no one else ever has to witness.  It is perhaps the only thing left in the world that most people do truly by themselves.

Yes. I am talking about going number 2.

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More things I hear at work at the Cubicle Farm here in Alabama, and the scathing things I think when I hear them.

1. The "Bama Band Dweeb Alum" Guy said, "Alabama's history of consistent success has always been due to leadership.  That's what the Tide have over every other program in the country.  Leadership." [Voice in my Head] Consistent..... Leadership..... Alabama....Dubose, Franchione, Price, Shula....The only consistent thing about Bama Leadership in the past twenty years is that you run through coaches like you-know-what (that would be crap) through a goose.  I'm apoplectic "happy" for your success this season.  It drives me bat crap crazy is good for the SEC.  It makes me want to vomit in your desk rubbish bin proud to be a fan of the conference.  Saban's success tells me that you can do anything with four mill a year, a complimentery car, a complimentary country club membership, and all the free red clothes you can stomach integrity and a processes.

2. The "Will-Muschamp-is-still-here-Auburn" Guy said, "Time to play another wuss from Tennessee." [Voice in my Head] Count to Ten.  Breathe.  Relax, only 7 hours and 28 minutes of work left.  And then he'll be gone.  With his personalized Auburn license plate (on his super sweet Honda Element).  Yeah, don't let the guy who has a Honda Element get to you.  He drives a car that looks like a forbidden love child between a geriatric Hummer and a plastic shoebox.  Don't let him get to you.  You can go home in 7 hours and 27 minutes and 30 seconds.  And when Vandy beats Auburn this weekend, you can smile and think "Heh, Auburn lost and you still drive the ugliest car in history.....ok, well second most ugly car....this is the ugliest car in history.

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Here are some games, storylines, and scenarios outside of Knoxville to watch out for this weekend! We'll look at all the SEC action and give the other BCS conferences a quick and dirty.  Beat NIU!

Southeastern Conference

1. No. 12 Florida @ Arkansas.  Tim Tebow is making sure that the Gators will not lose focus because of the Ole Miss game.  My advice to Arkansas: Be afraid, be very afraid.  You are about to be god blessed into submission by the hardest hitting Missionary that ever lived.  Bobby Petrino is looking to bounce back after back to back blowout losses to Alabama and Texas.  It looks like that rebound is going to have to wait until after this weekend.  A Razorback upset, however unlikely, would be an early Christmas gift to rest of the SEC East.

2. Kentucky @ No. 2 Alabama-Tuscaloosa.  Alabama is off to a blistering start after physical wins against Clemson and Georgia.  Don't crown them yet though as Bama had early season success last year but then....well we know how that worked out... Don't expect last season to repeat itself as Nick Saban seems to have this very young team exactly where he wants them.  Kentucky is 4-0 with its best win coming against a .500 Louisville team.  As much as I hate to say it, the Vols may need Bama to win to keep alive in the "I don't want to be last in the SEC East" Race.

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Everyday I commute from southern Tennessee and drive to work in Huntsville, Alabama.  I do this because the money is better in Huntsville and I love living in Tennessee.   The best of both worlds....right?  Maybe not.   So far Auburn fans and Bammer fans are really pushing the limits of my willingness to continue to let them breath. 

Seriously. 

I. Am. About. To. Crack. 

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