The Firing Line: Fulmer Almost Done at UT

“The Firing Line” at Football Rumor Mill focuses on coaches around the country who are in serious jeopardy. The latest edition centers on Tennessee Coach Phillip Fulmer…

For Fulmer, it’s only a question of when: Based on the conversations I’m having with people around the conference, it appears it is simply a matter of time for Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer. All indications are that the decision has been made and that the details are being worked out. I wouldn’t expect an announcement this week because it’s Homecoming (vs. Wyoming) and Tennessee has an open date next week. Would Tennessee wait until the end of the season to make an announcement? Would that be the right thing to do out of respect for Fulmer? I would say yes but the competiveness of the upcoming coaching search might make Tennessee pull the trigger early. Again, I’ll try to prepare my Tennessee friends. If Tennessee goes looking for a new coach, it will not be an easy search. – Atlanta Journal-Constitution

With his offense still ice cold after nine games, fans steaming mad and his own job in clear jeopardy, Tennessee Coach Phillip Fulmer is trying to keep concern over a dismal season from turning into open panic. Sunday night, Fulmer opened a coaches’ meeting with an increasingly important message: No matter the level of frustration, don’t let it filter to the players. “It’s about our energy, the looks in our eyes, our demeanor and how we approach it in meetings and film sessions,” Fulmer said about the staff. “We’re professionals and we have and we will continue to be looking forward to playing.” Following Saturday’s loss at South Carolina, UT (3-6, 1-5) must win its final three games to become bowl eligible. – Tennessean

The question for today is this: What is University of Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton waiting for regarding football coach Phillip Fulmer’s future? A sweep of Wyoming, Vanderbilt and Kentucky? Nick Saban to say he’s available? Mad scientists announcing they’ve cloned General Neyland? After Saturday night’s 27-6 humbling at South Carolina, the hay’s in the barn on this season. Fulmer is out of opportunities to prove he has improved the 2008 Vols. Even if he wins out, so what? The program has lost one game total to Kentucky and Vanderbilt combined over the past 23 years. Winning out against the Cowboys, Commodores and Cats proves nothing. Beyond that, the fans are out of patience. They’ve now seen the Vols lose five of six SEC games by 79 points. They’ve seen the offense become as exciting as a touchback. Given the economy, they probably hope UT misses a bowl for the second time in four years, if only to cement Fulmer’s fate and save a few holiday dollars in the bargain. Mostly, Hamilton could soon be out of hot prospects to replace Fulmer if he doesn’t act swiftly. Let him drag this out as Auburn (doubtful), Clemson, Washington, Penn State (possible), Florida State (possible) and others begin wooing the Next Best Thing and UT could wind up with Texas El-Paso coach Mike Price rather than Texas Tech coach Mike Leach. Remember how North Carolina snapped up Butch Davis a couple of years ago by axing John Bunting before the dew dried on Halloween pumpkins? He who hesitates can be quickly lost in the coaching search carousel. – Chattanooga Times Free-Press

The Tennessee Vols now have matched their total losses in 2005, 1988 and 1980 with a 3-6 record. With three games left, the Vols must try to avoid losing seven for the first time since 1977. Eight? This program never has lost that many in a single season… Fulmer won three games at the beginning of that season while Majors underwent surgery and was named head coach immediately after the end of the regular season. With a win in the Hall of Fame Bowl, Tennessee finished that season 9-3. Now Fulmer is the one who appears to be nearing the end of his 17-year head coaching career at Tennessee as the Vols seem poised to reach new lows for the program. Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton was mum about the coach’s job security after the game, saying he declined comment out of respect for Fulmer. Hamilton has declined comment in recent weeks as the criticism of Fulmer has increased. But the evidence of Tennessee’s decline is mounting. – AP

As UT’s losses have accumulated, concerned fans have sent more recommendations for coach Phillip Fulmer’s successor. The list now includes (in alphabetical order): John Adams, John Chavis, David Cutcliffe, Butch Davis, Randy Edsall, Jon Gruden, Bobby Johnson, Lane Kiffin, Mike Leach, Skip Holtz, Jim Leavitt, Peyton Manning, Johnny Majors, Bronco Mendenhall, Will Muschamp, Bruce Pearl, Someone Like Bruce Pearl, Chris Petersen, Knute Rockne, Nick Saban, Randy Sanders, Pat Summitt, and Tommy Tuberville… You can eliminate the rest of the ex-Vols as well. Chavis and Sanders are proven assistant coaches, and Cutcliffe has attained success as both a head coach and an assistant. But UT wouldn’t replace Fulmer with a Fulmer assistant. It needs a clean break. – Knoxville News-Sentinel

With his offense still ice cold after nine games, fans steaming mad and his own job in clear jeopardy, Tennessee Coach Phillip Fulmer is trying to keep concern over a dismal season from turning into open panic. Sunday night, Fulmer opened a coaches’ meeting with an increasingly important message: No matter the level of frustration, don’t let it filter to the players. “It’s about our energy, the looks in our eyes, our demeanor and how we approach it in meetings and film sessions,” Fulmer said about the staff. “We’re professionals and we have and we will continue to be looking forward to playing.” Following Saturday’s loss at South Carolina, UT (3-6, 1-5) must win its final three games to become bowl eligible. – Tennessean

Phillip Fulmer doesn’t sound like a coach who’s leaving anytime soon. The Tennessee head coach made repeated references to his program’s future during his weekly teleconference Sunday night. “There is still fight in this football team,” said Fulmer. ”That is what we’re going to need for these next three weeks as we try to get this thing turned around.”  “We’re professionals and we have, and we will, continue to be looking forward to playing and (we’re) excited about getting the win and moving forward,” he added. – WATE