[rmjvol]

News on the Vols from the west coast.

Tennessee coach needs big victory over visiting Cal in opener after disastrous 2005 season

Tennessee's Phillip Fulmer is the top banana.
Fulmer has the highest winning percentage of all active NCAA Division I football coaches with 10 years experience, a glittering .776 that includes two Southeastern Conference titles and a national championship in 1998.

He is the king of Knoxville, but even kings risk dethronement. Tennessee is like USC, Texas, Ohio State, Alabama and the three Florida schools, college powerhouses where alumni get the angriest over losing.

Does that mean Fulmer has to be 11-2 every year?

"Yeah, you really do," he said with a laugh Thursday from Rocky Top country. "That's the minimum, I would say. But, no, you've got a wonderful fan base here. They have a great passion for it, and I don't think I'd want to be at a place that didn't have that kind of passion for football.

"I don't think that's changed since I was a player here (1969-71), and that's what makes it special. There's 107,000 people at every game, and with that comes accountability. And I don't think that's wrong."

http://www.insidebayarea.com/collegesports/ci_4235806

I'm a little surprised by that but not much. I mean, we all know there would be complaining even if we did win another national championship this year. But a 10-3 year would definitely be a concensus good year for the TN Vols.

11-2 would be prety dang good, depending on where those 2 losses are anyway. If one of those 11 wins was the SEC championship, I'm good

[Lefty Noob]

Fulmer has the highest winning percentage of all active NCAA Division I football coaches with 10 years experience, a glittering .776 that includes two Southeastern Conference titles and a national championship in 1998.

Just look at those numbers. There is no way Fulmer should be on the hotseat, but then, I guess sports is a "what have you done for me lately" business. Hopefully the folks at the University of Tennessee won't be as quick to pull the trigger as some of the media people and fans I've been hearing from.

I've got a question for all of the Vols fans here. If Fulmer doesn't win 10 games this, will you be calling for a coaching change? What's the minimum amount he needs to win, in each of your own personal estimations, in order to maintain job security?

[Tennessee2IDie2210]

I honestly think that its a must that Fullmer get at least 10 wins in the season. To be frankly honest i was pissed off to have them go 5-6. I mean its not much i can do because of them doing so poorly last year its just the fact fo being a fan you want to feel pround of your school and i wasnt to proud to be fan never the less i wouldnt stop be a die hard fan. But i have to agree with the fact that alot of the schools alumni i bet were a little disappointed of the team cause thats what they look foward to is the football season. But once again its an understatement if they dont get 11 wins.

[rmjvol]

Welcome to GoTeamsGo, Tennessee2IDie2210

I think that most Vol fans were pissed last year. But while I want 10-11 wins every year, I dont think Fulmer will get the boot if he goes 8-5. If we have another losing record, I bet he's gone.

Good to have another Vol fan here. Look forward to chatting with you.

[Tennessee2IDie2210]

I think your right that yeah 10-11 wins sometimes is pushing it but hey you have to set your goals high cause if set them to low you become complacent and you dont try that hard to become better but on the other hand of thing yeah i know its not that bad to go 8-5 on the season but you would like for sports writer to always mention Tennessee in the top team in the SEC to contend for the SEC title every year

[epic37311]

After last season I would be
5.Content with a Bowl Game Win
4 Happy with a SEC Divison Champ
3. Thrilled with a SEC Champ
2.(insert big happy word here) With a BCS Bowl win
1. Utopia with a NC Champ Game

Long live Fulmer.

I know alot of UT die hard fans keep getting disappointed with 9,10,11 wins but hey I am pretty proud of the record.

I am dissapointed in the Bowl game performance sometimes with out of conferance play. Like against the Terps and what not. They did lay a pounding on A&M

All in all we could have a bad Coach so I think all Volnation should be gratefull for what we got. Nobody owes us anything. The team has to earn everything.

[Lefty Noob]

All in all we could have a bad Coach so I think all Volnation should be gratefull for what we got.

There ya go, epic, that's all I'm saying. There are a lot worse coaches Tennessee could have right now. Highest winning percentage of any active coach... that's gotta be worth something, even after a disappointing 5-win season, right?

[epic37311]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

There ya go, epic, that's all I'm saying. There are a lot worse coaches Tennessee could have right now. Highest winning percentage of any active coach... that's gotta be worth something, even after a disappointing 5-win season, right?

I agree. Maybe the losing season humbled alot of people and maybe understand that his record is phenomonal in this day and age. We could be like some teams and have that record every year. 6and 5
They are some coaches down in Miami or or in Southern Cal that are some of the best around with unheard of win streaks but I belive Fulmer is a top 5 or at least a top 10 coach.

He had a bad year made some changes and we can see what happens this year.

[OrangeFuzzyVols]

Last year shouldn’t have been as big of a surprise in my opinion. It was inevitable if you think about it. Remember Kelly Washington, uh, “The Future”? Yeah, we all remember our own little ‘T.O.” don’t we. Coach Fulmer lost the handle somewhere. We had 13 kids in trouble before the season even started. Last season wasn’t the result of play calling, talent or even effort. IMO last season was exactly were UT has been headed sense Cut left, the bottom. Fulmer is a great coach but he’s always been a friend to the players and not the BOSS. Cut filled that role at one time. Sanders was too much like Fulmer to fill that role and it’s been left vacant for the most part. I think Fulmer is safe for another year, regardless. He would get one more chance.
However, he’s not going to need it. Cut is back, last season slapped Fulmer awake and the Vols will be back!

[epic37311]

Originally Posted by OrangeFuzzyVols

Last year shouldn’t have been as big of a surprise in my opinion. It was inevitable if you think about it. Remember Kelly Washington, uh, “The Future”? Yeah, we all remember our own little ‘T.O.” don’t we.

Yeah I hated Kelly. Speaking of T.O. Didn't he play right down the road from the Vols at UTC. Guess the disease spread but UT gets alot of players that will go pro and they already know that. So they are cocky and little regards for the rules.

As a faithfull UT fan would most of you sacrafice a win for discipline ala suspension of key players?
I would but the Volnation better be prepared for a so so record.

[OrangeFuzzyVols]

I don’t think there should even be a question. Kelly Washington is a good example of this. He may have been the best receiver on the field while he was out there, but the team wasn’t as good. I watched as his ‘ME’ attitude spread through that team, killing any hope of unity from the inside out. They were obviously a split bunch of guys that failed, regardless of talent. He started this snowball that finally hit us last season. UT won a national title with less talent than they had last year. I think the biggest difference between the two groups was discipline.
If you can’t control a player, you don’t want him. No amount of talent is worth the outcome.
I think Parcels is learning that very lesson.

[epic37311]

Originally Posted by OrangeFuzzyVols

I don’t think there should even be a question.

Agreed. If Coach Fulmer would have suspended players and had a lackluster season like last year everyone would have known to follow rules and stay out of trouble on and off the field.
I like Fulmer alot and respect him as the head Coach but if he would have suspended players and disciplined them more it would have sent a message to everyone else and maybe excused the record for last year, but he didnt.

Was it mostly the offense in trouble last few years or spread out among the whole team?
I for one would not want to get in trouble and have Chief on my tail. Maybe players respected him more than Sanders. I don't know just throwing the question up.
All respect to people like Malahona (sp) Wilhoit(sp) Colquit(sp) Jason Allen Witten and so forth for being a team player and sticking to the rules. Shame these guys don't get as much press as they should for being team players and role models.

Team unity is the only way to win all year. All the former NC's has that.

[OrangeFuzzyVols]

Let’s just hope that Phillip and Co. learn from last year and remember it. Unity is so important in any team sport. As far as I’m concerned, there was only one mistake made last season:
Fulmer started Ainge ahead of Clausen. Yes, Ainge had the talent edge but he was beat by Clausen in every practice. Still, he was GIVEN the spot. He didn’t EARN it.
Result:
The team knew who deserved the spot. Phil sent the message to his players that it’s not how hard you work or how good you are, but who you are. (Bad Message Phil) Also, Ainge knew who deserved the spot, not him. From there, they crumbled. I don’t care what anyone said, the team resented Ainge, and it wasn’t even his fault. They lost some respect for the coaches too.
Special treatment doesn’t belong in a team sport. I thought everyone knew that there isn’t an “I” in team. Maybe Phil just needed a reminder.

[OrangeFuzzyVols]

I think Phil is on the right track!.. Look out Cal!

INTERVIEW OF COACH PHILLIP FULMER BEFORE CALIFORNIA GAME AT NEYLAND STADIUM :: Vols face a tough Cal team Saturday in the season opener


2. Name the primary goals of fall practice and how well have the Vols progressed at this point? A - "Our main goal was to make sure we have the 11 best men on each side of the ball. A secondary mission was to work to establish quality depth to back up our starters. We also have worked to become closer as a football team and to eliminate any thoughts of selfishness."

[tvolsfan]

I would not be very happy with any old bowl game. by that I mean I don't want to clinch bowl eligibility against kentucky.

If we have less than 8 wins in the regular season, I would be upset. With 8 regular season wins, i would be neither happy or upset, but the bowl game would swing it either way. With 9 regular season wins, I would be happy, but not thrilled. With 10 regular season wins, I would be thrilled, and hopefully in that case we would make the sec championship or maybe a bcs bowl game. (Either case would have me very happy.)