All Things Vols

Just ordered our O&W tickets online for the April 18, 2009 Spring Game. I was going to buy the “Fan Pack” until I found out I would have to pick the goodies up at Fan’s Day at Haslam Field. I refuse to stand in a line like what formed last year. What the hell are they thinking? Only one way in and out? I’m not going to do that.

I watched the end of the Phillip Fulmer era last night with mixed emotions. Coach Fulmer is a good man. I send my best wishes to him and his beautiful family. The last game of the season still didn’t show any attempts at anything new. Compton did complete a nice long pass. But the “G-gun” was still predictable. Unfortunately Eric Berry didn’t get another interception or two. I find myself feeling bad for Coach Clawson, the new kid on the block who I feel didn’t get to show his stuff. I find myself thinking that the game changed and Coach Fulmer didn’t try to change with it. Too bad there isn’t some sort of refresher course for head coaches.

As one chapter of Tennessee Football comes to an end, a new one is about to begin. I have a gut feeling we are going to do what I call the “Bama Dance” before we are National Championship caliber again. I moved back to Alabama at the beginning of Mike DuBose’s time as head coach for the Crimson Beast. In the ten year period, they have gone through six coaches (if you count Joe Kines) to get where they are today - a true contender. Love him or hate him, Nick Saban put respect back into their program. I think the Vols are going to have a few turbulent years ahead of them. People will sit back and say I told you so, you shouldn’t have fired Fulmer, yada, yada yada. It’s going to be a bumpy road and I’m afraid that Lane Kiffin doesn’t know how to “drive” in the SEC. (It should be noted, I hadn’t read Ron Higgin comments “Kiffin unqualified to coach Vols” until after I started my own ramblings). Should the next head coach come from the Southeast and understand what SEC smash mouth football is all about, you betcha. But what do I know?

I have been quietly watching, reading and waiting to see who the next coach for the Vols football program will be. My husband’s pick seems to be leaning towards Butch Davis of North Carolina. Seems he is on the top of the speculation list and is in deny, deny, deny mode. I’d like to see a coach who isn’t afraid to be a coach. I’m tired of the political correctness crap. You can’t be everybody’s friend, you can be tough, yet fair. The next coach needs to help reverse the trend of men being soft - it’s time for the Tennessee men to be men and stop being puds*.

*From the Rick & Bubba Dictionary:
Puddin’ (or Pud): Wimp or sissy.

I’d like to share a local story about an extraordinary young man of character - Blake Burgess Center for the Vestavia Hills Rebels.

In a letter from Mike Hamilton to UT Football Fans he stated that “Coach Fulmer announced he will step aside at the conclusion of the football season.” Sounds like he had a little push, as Coach Fulmer said during the 5PM news conference “I accept the university’s decision that this will be my last as Tennessee’s head football coach.”

Now the search for a new coach begins and then the rebuilding of a Tradition.

The headline that my husband and a large continent of the Big Orange faithful have been clamoring for has come to fruition “Sources: Fulmer agrees to step down as Vols coach” - it’s not official yet but it looks like Head Football Coach Phillip Fulmer is on the way out. A press conference with Mike Hamilton and Coach Fulmer is to be held at 5PM Eastern time. So the eyes and ears of the Vol Nation will be directed towards Knoxville. Looks like even the Crimson Beastmonger himself, Paul Finebaum will have his ears open, too bad his website is unavailable:

Paul Finebaum - I think you need a bigger box

I guess the rammer jammers are eating it up. So now we wait to find out the fate of Phil Fulmer and the Tennessee Vols Football program.