The University of Tennessee Football program is changing. When the Vols split the "T" next season, there will be a new head coach leading the charge. The decision to some was warranted, and to others it was too soon. No matter how you look at it, you have to feel bad for Phillip Fulmer. He was a man that gave his heart and soul to the University of Tennessee. He was a man who gave 30 plus years of his life to the program. Fulmer is as Tennessee as anyone could be.
The situation surrounding the resignation is not known at the moment, but this was a difficult situation. It looks that the University may have pushed him out of the job, especially considering the rumors last week that the South Carolina game would decide his fate. Fulmer went as far as to say that he agreed with the University's decision. However, Tennessee had to ask themselves the tough questions.
Do you fire a man who took the program to new hieghts, but fell onto hard times? Or do you give him another chance to redeem himself? At some point, you have to ask yourself if you should be loyal to a man who gave his all to the program or did you give him a fair shake? Tennessee and more importantly Athletic Director Mike Hamilton felt it was time for a change. However, did Hamilton have a choice?
College football, especially Tennessee, is a multimillon dollar industry. The bottom line is determined by wins and losses, and this season has been heartbreaking to say the least for the Vols. Fans have shown their displeasure through various ways, but the most important was not coming to the games. One has to wonder if donors were threatening not to donate and the slow ticket sales were the final straw. At some point, Hamilton has to look out for himself as the CEO of the company despite friendships and loyalty.
Despite where you stand on Fulmer's resignation, you should admire the man for what he has accomplished at the helm of the Volunteer football program. He did so with class. Coach Fulmer embodied what Tennessee football is about. He knew and respected the traditions of Tennessee football and loved the rivalary games such as with Alabama. As a person, Fulmer is well respected. To his players, he was often considered a father figure. Fulmer got the opportunity to live his dream by coaching the team he so deeply loved. However, all good things must come to an end, and for Fulmer the end is at the end of this season.
5:05 PM -- Shelldog's Take: I gotta agree with Bill Meade over on SportsLine on WXSM who feels Tennessee's next head coach SHOULD be Mike Leach from Texas Tech. They need a big name to compete with the Meyers, Richts, Miles's, and Spurriers in the conference, especially recruiting in kids' homes. It would denote a definitive turning of the page for the program. I like David Cutcliffe at Duke, but I believe the Vols did him wrong when they would not commit to informally considering him the heir apparent in Knoxville. Anyways, saw this on the blog list and thought I'd throw in a penny or two.
