On Friday, it was announced that Fulmer would not be taking the paid position under UT President John Petersen (in addition to his $6 million buyout from the athletic department budget), contrary to what was announced earlier in the week.

Kudos to Fulmer. Just a day ago, I called for Fulmer to turn down the money. He did.

“I am sorry for any confusion, and I appreciate the university allowing me to take time to consider my retirement and insurance options,” Fulmer said in a statement provided by the UT Office of Communications. “Today I informed President Petersen that I will not be transitioning to a position in the President’s office at this time. Instead, I have offered my services to him as an alumni volunteer, helping develop the university’s relationships with its supporters. It has always been my goal to do what’s right for this great university and bring Tennessee people together, and that’s what I will continue to do.”

Petersen announced the appointment on Monday. On Wednesday, Petersen announced a hiring freeze at UT.

“Our announcement earlier this week in response to widespread media reports created some confusion,” Petersen said. “We had to move quickly to adhere to University retirement policies and deadlines. Under those policies the agreement would not have become final until today. In the days following our announcement, Phillip had the time he needed to consider it further.

“The University values Phillip’s ability to unite and motivate his fellow alumni, and we will continue to seek ways to make the best use of his talents.”

Tennessee fired Phillip Fulmer and was forced to pay him a $6 million buyout. That breaks down to $125,000 per month over the next four years.

Part of the firing came with an extended hand of respect — we’ll gladly keep you on the payroll, just not as coach. Athletic director Mike Hamilton offered Fulmer a position within the department. I have no problem with that. Fulmer has earned that, and his legacy belongs in Tennessee, not at Clemson or as some NFL position coach. I wanted him to remain at the university “in some capacity,” as the invitation was stated.

Was there really a need for Petersen to even offer money?

So, UT president John Petersen followed through with the offer.

Petersen hired Fulmer as a “special assistant to the president,” effective Dec. 1. It runs through February, and Fulmer will be wheeling and dealing with donors, likely trying to repair the broken transfer slips that occurred in the last year due to the football team’s performance — and Fulmer’s firing. I have no problem with that. Fulmer’s a great spokesman for the university, having grown up in the state and then played football and coached there 35 years.

Here’s the caveat: Fulmer’s getting paid $37,500 over three months for the special appointment. That’s $12,500 per month. Practically, the three-month salary is a full-year scholarship for 19 students, or more  than a year’s salary for a facilities worker.

That’s a problem.

Petersen is quick to point out that the money is coming from private funds (donors). True, but bad excuse. The university and athletic department are both paying Fulmer.

That sends the wrong message to students, who can’t secure a loan to complete the spring semester, many of whom may have hoped to graduate.

That sends the wrong message when faculty members are being told thanks for planting a seed in these freshmen, but we’ll handle it from here; we don’t need you any more.

That sends the wrong message when it was revealed just last month that the nation has been in a recession for a year.

That sends the wrong message when two days — yes, two days — after announcing the Fulmer appointment, Petersen announced a hiring freeze at UT.

You can’t blame the athletic department. It has to honor its contractual obligation to pay Fulmer his buyout, something that was drafted long ago. So who’s to blame?

Blame Petersen and the university for being frivolous with spending at a time when such action is foolish. UT’s athletic department is paying two football coaches — one to quit and one to coach — and now the university pays one of them a second fee to continue doing the off-field work. Irresponsible.

And blame Fulmer. He’s been overly generous to the university during his time there. He and his wife pledged a million-dollar gift just last year. But what’s that worth when he’s getting that back six-fold — no matter whose budget it comes from? Besides, when the $125K is deposited into Fulmer’s account, and taxes come out, is he going to notice the 12 grand from Petersen?

The challenge now lies with Fulmer. He may have agreed to the three-month, swollen salary. But he can just as easily give that $37,500 back to the university for scholarships or even to pay a professor or security guard for a year’s work. So, we’re waiting.

Per SEC Sports

Brandon, thank you so much for your comments. I haven’t been this excited about Tennessee football since 1977 when Johnny Majors came marching home to end the Bill Battle era. When Fullmer took over as HC of the Vols, I was so disappointed that I wanted to puke. His early success came off Majors’ rebuilding of the program. Phil is a good recruiter and no one can deny this. When Cutcliffe was on staff, they were a little more than good. They had really good teams. (Just couldn’t beat Florida most of the time) Never did beat them with Peyton Manning and should have killed the Gators.

No matter how good that they were or turned out to be, there was always games like the Arkansas game of 1998, gift from Stoerner, the struggles with vastly inferior teams, just barely getting by and the occasional really big wins against Georgia, Alabama (when they were down from probation). The teams were poorly coached and managed all the wins because of the superior talent that Phillip was able to recruit. I only went up to Knoxville to watch one game live while Fulmer was coach. It was the Rutgers game of about 3 or 4 years ago. It was so pitiful a game of football, that my wife and I left after the 3rd quarter. I couldn’t stomach anymore of what I was seeing on the playing field from Tennessee. It wasn’t the teams that I watched during the Major’s era. I’m not a Majors fan either. I thought that he needed to go about 6 years into his 16 years at K-town.

The Vols vaunted defense of this year (4th in the nation by some accounts) got most of their numbers by stopping such juggernats as Mississippi State, Auburn(game they lost), Northern Illinois, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, South Carolina(game they lost) and Wyoming (game they lost). Did any of you notice how “Chief’s” defense did against UCLA on opening night with them playing with their 3rd string QB? Did you forget that?(game they lost). Chavis’s defense could always put up big numbers, but what did they do when the game was on the line? He wasn’t called 3rd and long Chavis for no good reason. They never could stop the winning drive when the game was on the line.

Even when rumors that Kiffin was going to be named head coach, I was holding my breath because I was afraid that he was going to keep Chavis on staff. I shouted halleleujah when he let them all go. All anyone had to do to know just how well the Vols were coached was to listen to pro scouts evaluate the players that they saw coming out of Tennessee. There are many in the pros and I’m happy for all of them. Listen to guys who really know football and listen to their carefully guarded comments to understand the state that Tennessee football had gotten to. We needed a change and we have needed it for over 10 years.

My comments do not reflect on the character of any of the former staff. I appreciate what Coach Fullmer means to the university of Tennessee. I admire his love for the school, players, former players, tradition, etc. All the good that he has done for the community. Teaching his players to serve the kids, visit the hospitals, etc. That is all wonderful. His loyalty to his staff, while commendable, probably was his undoing. He needed to hire much better coaches than he had on staff. He wouldn’t do it and it has cost him his job.

If one wanted to look at the negative side, you could question the discipline that was never there. You could question why better players sat on the bench and favorites got to play. You could question why the new offense this year looked almost like the one last year. This new offense was to have a lot of formations, man-in-motions, etc. The only motion that I saw from this offense was the false starts that several of those fat, out of shape, lazy, offensive linemen made game after game after game. But let’s don’t dwell on the negative. This era is over and a new chapter of Tennessee football is to begin.

A lot of Vol foes are making fun of the changes, questioning the hiring of a 33 year old coach. (BTW, Gen Robert Neyland was 33 years old when he was named coach of the Vols.) But secretly, they are beginning to tremble in their boots, because the old easy Tennessee teams of the past are gone now and they have a new team to deal with. It won’t be as easy to beat the Vols in the future, I promise you that. No team wins every game every year. But the easy games with Tennessee are over for the gators, bulldoggies, tide, tigers, gamecocks and everyone else. JMHO

Thanks,

CFJ Staff

With one full season under Philip Fulmer’s belt many Volunteer faithful were highly optimistic about the 1994 season.  Despite a 31-13 thumping by the hands of Penn State in the Citrus Bowl, Volnation had the Heisman Trophy Runner Up coming back and a dynamic duo of Aaron Hayden and James Stewart at tailback.  The defense was still fast and tenacious as it had been in 1993, but lost all 4 defensive line starters.  On top of the D-line, only a few days after the Penn State defeat, Heath Shuler announced that he would forego his senior season to enter the NFL draft.  The Vols would have to rely on senior QB Jerry Colquitt to run David Cutcliffe’s offense.  Colquitt saw limited action in 1992 and 1993, but was known for his ground moves and accurate arm on the run. 

Holloway Jr?

To kickoff 1994 the Vols bucked the trend of a cup cake opener, and headed out west for a match up with UCLA.  The game would end up having one of the saddest moments in UT football.  Colquitt, a fifth year senior, on the 7th play from scrimmage suffered a season ending knee injury. 

“That was one of the saddest moments I’ve ever experienced in football.  Jerry had worked so hard and paid a high price to get to play. That’s not how it’s supposed to work out.” – Coach Philip Fulmer

The first player to run in was junior Todd Helton of future MLB fame, and after three weak plays was replaced by gangly freshman Peyton Manning.  A parade All-American and son of SEC and NFL Legend Archie Manning, Manning had all of Rocky Top excited to see what he was made of.  Story goes that Peyton ran into the huddle and started trying to talk the offense up.  That was a questionable move especially when you are barking at big uglies like Kevin Mays, Jeff Smith, and Bubba Miller.  Peyton was promptly told to, “Shut the hell up and call the damn play.”  So Peyton abided and went to work.  He platoons off and on with another freshman sensation Branndon Stewart for the next 2 quarters. By the 4th quarter Helton took back over and led the Vols to 3 TDs in the 4th.  However, the Vols would end up on the short end of the game, 25-23, with the first opening game defeat since 1988. 

With a long trip home, and another away game in Athens coming up, the Vols worked hard in Knoxville on a short week.  Helton had established himself as the starter with the performance against UCLA the previous week, and the Vols headed onto Athens to visit the Bulldogs. On the back of James Stewart’s 72 yard TD run through the Georgia defense the Vols would head back to Knoxville with a 41-23 victory in their pocket.  On come the Florida Gators.

Inches away from victory in Starkville, the future was near...

The eventual SEC Champs Florida Gators proved to be too much for the Volunteers as they blanked us 31-0 in front of the home crowd at Neyland Stadium.  It was a game that would remain etched in the minds of Tennessee faithful for years to come.  The Vols didn’t have long to lick their wounds as it was time to hit the road against, this time destination: Starkville, MS.  The Bulldogs had greatly improved their program in the early 90s under perennial cheater and white trash treasure, Jackie Sherrill.  This game was were Manning truly began to show his colors and down 24-21, nearly led the Vols to a last minute victory.  The Vols fell short, and were staring a 1-3 record. 

The team was down and fans where losing patience.  Once again there wasn’t time for the Vols to look back as PAC-10 foe Washington State rolled into Knoxville.  This game is vividly described by Ghost over at Third Saturday in Blogtober.  The Vols pulled off the victory 10-9.  The next week the momentum continued and the Vols plowed through Arkansas which would become a trend throughout most of the 1990s.  Bring on Alabama, as the Third Saturday in October is renewed in Knoxville. 

The greatest rivalry in college football is renewed another year.  The Vols have peeled off 2 victories in a row building their record to 3-3.  Its Alabama time, and the Tide come in 6-0 and looking much like the Stallings team of 1992.  This was a sloppy game, but the 3rd quarter ended with the Vols having a 13-10 advantage.  Eventually the Tide would drive and make the score 17-13, but they left plenty of time on the clock for a Tennessee drive.  Mostly on the back of Aaron Hayden and a few key passes from Manning to Joey Kent, the Vols were in striking distance.  Eventually on 4th and Goal Peyton Manning missed a wide open Eric Pillow in the back of the end zone.  The Vols would have to wait one more year for victory over Alabama. 

The Vols were 3-4 and faced a very winnable second half scheduled featuring South Carolina, Memphis, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt.  These are the games that sent the message to freshman Branndon Stewart that this team was all Peyton Manning’s.  The Vols would win these games by a combined score of 172-35, and Stewart would transfer to Texas A&M, where he would have a great career. 

Finishing the regular season 7-4, the Vols where extended a bid to the 1994 Gator Bowl, to face Big East challenger Virginia Tech.  This was a unique game, as the two teams separated by only 3 hours had not played since 1937.  There were many across the nation pointing to this game as a premier bowl match-up.  The game was supposed to be competitive, but that did not end up the case.  The Vols jumped out to a 35-0 lead behind the passing of Manning and the dynamic running of James Stewart.  The Hokies (which mean castrated turkey) picked up 10 points before half time.  The Vols put the game away early in the 3rd quarter and would eventually win the game 45-23 over the regional foe, with James Stewart taking the MVP honors.

The stage was set for 1995, and little did the Volnation know what was in store for the next 4 years.

Check out previous years:

1993 A Year of Close Calls

1992 Beginning of an Era

General Neyland’s 7 Maxims

1. The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win. 

2. Play for and make the breaks and when one comes your way – SCORE. 

3. If at first the game – or the breaks – go against you, don’t let up… put on more steam.  

4. Protect our kickers, our QB, our lead and our ball game.

5. Ball, oskie, cover, block, cut and slice, pursue and gang tackle… for this is the WINNING EDGE.  

6. Press the kicking game. Here is where the breaks are made. 

7. Carry the fight to our opponent and keep it there for 60 minutes.

This has been an emotional and difficult week for this blogger.  Personally I have supported Fulmer every minute until sometime shortly after the Florida game.  I am thankful for what he has brought to our program, but I also realize it is time to move on.

I am excited about Coach Kiffin, and I behind him 100%.  I just finished watching the press conference a few minutes ago, and I was impressed.  His energy and excitement showed through his enthused briefing.  The single thing I am most excited about is the fresh start he will provide the program.  In Fulmer’s tenure he has tended to lean on experienced veteran players rather than more talented younger players.  Sunday night Coach Kiffin met with the team for 41 minutes to discuss the direction of the program and how things are going to be done.  Coach Kiffin put it straight by saying,

“They are going to earn their starting spots, not a single one of them are starters right now.”

This is exciting to me.  I have felt this year our most talented players have found themselves mostly reserved for the bench, as example Ahmad Paige, Denarius Moore, and Brandon Warren.  As in all big time programs these days, talent plays, not experience.  That is the new trend of a winner. 

One concern I’ve had in this process is the loss of tradition that is so strong within the Tennessee football program.  Would he understand the importance of the Game Maxims, Running Through the T, and the Vol Walk among many others.  Coach Kiffin put my concern to rest during his press conference, stating how he realized the importance of our traditions, and he finished with a statement I’ve craved to see for many years now,

“We are going to sing Rocky Top all night long after we beat Florida next year”

That is what I’m talking about coach!  We need that type of confidence (or call it arrogance) in our program, players, and coaches!  The work like heck attitude is gone, and the timing is perfect. 

Coach Kiffin states he is going to focus on recruiting, and realizes that other SEC programs have declared war on the state of Tennessee.  Our top talent has been picked clean over the last few years by the likes of Notre Dam, USC, and Alabama.  I want this to STOP, as does Coach Kiffin:

“We need to build a fence around the state of Tennessee”

For those concerned with recruiting, I ask to give Coach a chance.  A majority of our recruits right now are so excited to have the man at the helm that was responsible for recruiting and coaching Reggie Bush and LenDale White.  As many will remember Coach Kiffin came into the state of Tennessee in 2005 and stole Patrick Turner right out of our grasps, who was the top WR recruit in the nation.  Kiffin knows how to recruit, and will assure that his staff does as well.  Don’t be surprised when he brings on Ed Orgeron and David Reeves.  Orgeron was head coach at Ole Miss from 2005-2007, and although his head coaching abilities were not up to snuff, his recruiting was very good.  The proof is in the pudding right now at Ole Miss.  Also David Reeves led South Carolina as recruiting coordinator to a #6 ranked class in the nation last year according to Rivals.com. 

I look at the past and smile with a bounty of great memories, but now I also look at the future and smile with the promise and excitement of a new era of Tennessee Football.  GO VOLS!!!

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