My son lives in Alabama and is a huge Tide fan. He told me last week that in two years Auburn would be irrelevant. Of course I don't know who he hates more Auburn or Tennessee.

My son lives in Alabama and is a huge Tide fan. He told me last week that in two years Auburn would be irrelevant. Of course I don't know who he hates more Auburn or Tennessee.

 

I'm sure just being able to debate who is doing a worse job, Fulmer or Tuberville, has everyone in Tuscaloosa ready to throw a party.

I believe Fulmer and Nutt are in the worst trouble at this point. (Nutt a lot because of off the field issues).

I believe Fulmer and Nutt are in the worst trouble at this point. (Nutt a lot because of off the field issues).

 

I was thinking the same thing about Nutt as well. Seems he had already exhausted a lot of patience with the whole text-messaging issue and all the silliness surrounding the Mustain saga.

Pigman, I need to meet your boy. RollCrimsontide.com/Tidefans.com is a couple of good sites to check out some Bama stuff.

UT has only won two of their last 10 games against ranked teams. They really have dropped off the national radar the past few years.............kind of a parallel to UK basketball over the same period.

UT has only won two of their last 10 games against ranked teams. They really have dropped off the national radar the past few years.............kind of a parallel to UK basketball over the same period.

 

:thumb: Got a title and started to slide. Very strong parallels.

Not to mention both titles were in 98.

:thumb: Got a title and started to slide. Very strong parallels.

 

What would you attribute it to? Complacency?

While Phil Fulmer may well be considered on the hot seat, a significant amount of money would be required to change the HC job on the Hill. The reason is that if he goes, then the assistants would likely have to go as well. The assistants all have 2 year contracts signed this year. The 2 coordinators have 3 year contracts signed this year. I've heard it would take $15 million +/- to buy out all contracts. Even with the amount of money in the UT program, there is not enough to pay for this buyout. It would take someone like Jim Haslam (Pilot Oil CEO/Owner) to fund this and that's not likely since he and Phil are really tight. Further, Phil's daughter sits on the athletic board, so that would also make it problematic. Nothing is impossible, but I would at least vote for highly unlikely this season.

 

If the team continues to slide, then he could well "fall on his sword" and retire quietly. As many of you know, I'm a graduate of UT and like Fulmer a lot. However, he is so furiously loyal to his staff and seniors that this may ultimately be to his detriment. The Vols need to change their defensive strategy or recruit players that are more suited to John Chavis' style. The offensive line has lost its identity as well due to the insertion of "zone blocking" schemes as opposed to the old style of drive blocking that Phil taught when he was offensive line coach. I personally think that is why they succeed at protecting Ainge in passing situations but consistently fail to make 2 yards on 3rd and 2 situations.

 

The jury is still out on whether the season can be salvaged, but I certainly can understand why teams like Alabama and Kentucky are salivating about the prospect of playing UT this season.

However, he is so furiously loyal to his staff and seniors that this may ultimately be to his detriment.

 

Like he was so loyal to Sanders? Look what happened when he came to UK. Fulmer basically let Sanders take the fall for 05 campaign disaster.

While Phil Fulmer may well be considered on the hot seat, a significant amount of money would be required to change the HC job on the Hill. The reason is that if he goes, then the assistants would likely have to go as well. The assistants all have 2 year contracts signed this year. The 2 coordinators have 3 year contracts signed this year. I've heard it would take $15 million +/- to buy out all contracts. Even with the amount of money in the UT program, there is not enough to pay for this buyout. It would take someone like Jim Haslam (Pilot Oil CEO/Owner) to fund this and that's not likely since he and Phil are really tight. Further, Phil's daughter sits on the athletic board, so that would also make it problematic. Nothing is impossible, but I would at least vote for highly unlikely this season.

 

If the team continues to slide, then he could well "fall on his sword" and retire quietly. As many of you know, I'm a graduate of UT and like Fulmer a lot. However, he is so furiously loyal to his staff and seniors that this may ultimately be to his detriment. The Vols need to change their defensive strategy or recruit players that are more suited to John Chavis' style. The offensive line has lost its identity as well due to the insertion of "zone blocking" schemes as opposed to the old style of drive blocking that Phil taught when he was offensive line coach. I personally think that is why they succeed at protecting Ainge in passing situations but consistently fail to make 2 yards on 3rd and 2 situations.

 

The jury is still out on whether the season can be salvaged, but I certainly can understand why teams like Alabama and Kentucky are salivating about the prospect of playing UT this season.

 

Very well said....:thumb:

Like he was so loyal to Sanders? Look what happened when he came to UK. Fulmer basically let Sanders take the fall for 05 campaign disaster.

 

I think he had to. The fans were dying for David Cutcliffe to return to Knoxville. If Fulmer hadn't let Sanders take the fall, Cutcliffe might have came in as the head coach.

Pigman, I need to meet your boy. RollCrimsontide.com/Tidefans.com is a couple of good sites to check out some Bama stuff.

 

He goes on those sights I'l have to find out his screen name for you.:thumb: