[NU Sports] Tennessee

[Jim Leonard]

The Phillip Fulmer story was interesting. He was forced out after a 5-7 season in 2008 that included a 13-7 loss to Wyoming. I think the heat really came on Fulmer once Urban Meyer elevated Florida back to #1 status. 

I have always believed that a coach who wins a national title should get to pick his own retirement date, but that is no longer the case. The scary thing about Fulmer getting booted is that he's the UT equivalent of Pat Fitzgerald. He played for the Vols (OG in the early 70s). 13 years as an assistant, 16 years as the coach, and the guy that brought Peyton Manning to Knoxville. But the 'must win now' culture tossed him aside. 

I hope all Div-I schools wise up. Contracts need to be written so that coaches don't bolt and disrupt the programs they leave behind. I'd like to see the bonus money come 8-10 years after they leave the job with penalties for NCAA infractions etc. that happen while they hold the job. Just like the short-term burners on Wall Street, these guys have no incentive to think 10+ years down the road, unless they are alums who truly love their alma maters. UT broke from that model and got burned badly.

Go Cats!
Jim




----- Original Message ----
From: Tom Maycock <tkmaycock at yahoo.com>
To: nwu-sports at romaine.tssi.com
Sent: Thu, January 14, 2010 1:17:04 PM
Subject: Re: [NU Sports] Tennessee

> Some strong and eloquent words from
> Philip Fullmer, 

Yep. You sense that after this bit:

"He must embrace Tennessee’s culture and traditions, be mature and of good character, and demonstrate integrity and leadership to our young men who desperately want to be shown the way.  He must deserve, earn and keep the trust of our young men -- both present and future."

the reader is intended to fill in for themselves the phrase "Someone unlike, say, Lane Kiffin."

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Fulmer forced out, or outright fired? If so, this does seem like a bit of a Karma bite-back for Tennessee. 

Whatever you might think about Phil Fulmer, I contended that winning a National Championship should ensure that you will NEVER be fired, at least not for on-field performance. 

Tom

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