All Things Vols » Mike Hamilton

It’s Official – Phil Fulmer Will Step Aside

leslie — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:22:40 +0000

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.

Giving Away Tickets?

leslie — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:56:04 +0000

Forget the jinx I have on being given tickets, I read a comment that Mike Hamilton was giving away tickets to fill the stands. If that’s true, Mike please send me 4 tickets to the Alabama game. How about some decent seats? Something with a little leg room, like the seats at Auburn.

I seriously doubt I’ll get tickets from Mike Hamilton, but if he’s really having to give away tickets to fill the stadium don’t you think he would get the hint? He sure can’t blame gas prices any more. Maybe it’s that nice comfy couch with the 46 inch HDTV in front of it? The view sure is better and the seating is a heck of a lot more comfortable. Has Mike given any thought to the product on the field?

Don’t get me wrong, I would love to go to the Tennessee – Alabama game (remember where I live). I love going to the games. I like seeing the improvements to the stadium and I just love being with 104,000+ screaming, yelling and having just a great time.

So Mike, you can leave 4 tickets for me at Will Call.

Lackluster Win From The Gutless Wonder

leslie — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 11:56:35 +0000

Well, that’s an understatement. Gleaning through some of the post game comments this morning there are a few other that are too. From Fulmer regarding the last play of the game, “We were trying to be really safe” – looks like that’s how the Vols played the whole game. Lots of 4th down opportunities that got punted away. Seems that’s all Fulmer has done these past 10 years, is to play “safe” – no guts.

The only shining star I saw all night was Nick Stephens – poise under pressure. What I did see once again, was a poorly coached team. Penalties, penalties, penalties. Stephens debut was not the time to use the “G-gun”. All it did was lose opportunities for first downs and possible touchdowns. The “G-gun” has become too predicable, Fulmer’s not the only one who watches game film. Yes, much to my whining, Gerald Jones did throw the ball, sorry I asked for it.

Speaking of watching game film, look at the difference between Arian Foster and Montario Hardesty. Hardesty is a hard charging, smash mouth runner. Foster looks like he’s afraid to get hurt, he runs like a girl. Neither got a whole lot done against NIU.

I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall when Mike Hamilton “suggested” to Fulmer that Stephens should be the starting quarterback.

I was offered tickets to this game too, I turned them down. I hedged my bet that it would be cheaper to order the pay per view than another trip from Birmingham to Knoxville, plus staying overnight in a hotel. And then there’s my own curse of the Vols losing whenever I go to the game on “gift” tickets.

Big Orange Army

leslie — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 19:47:09 +0000

I’ll probably lose my membership in the Big Orange Army after my comments but I need to get a few things out that have been bothering me. When I first signed up over a year ago, I was told you could advance in rank by “recruiting” more people. At that time I suggest they ad a box to the order form that would allow you to include the dog tag number of the “recruiter”. I was told it could be added in the comment box. Since I live out of state, I really haven’t seen a big benefit to being a member, everything is geared towards people living in Knoxville. I emailed again just a little while back with the same question and never got a reply. Now if you look at the website, there is no mention of advancing in rank by recruiting more people. Couple this with the “Fort Neyland” push and I’m just not so sure about it. Mike Hamilton even made mention of this attempt in his recent newsletter :

“The University of Tennessee has received a number of inquiries regarding both the Big Orange Army and “Fort Neyland.” The University certainly is appreciative of the fervent support of Tennessee athletics. However, in this instance it is important that the constituents of the University understand the University is not involved in, or supportive of the “Fort Neyland” initiative. Neyland Stadium is a treasured landmark of the University of Tennessee – one that is recognized nationally as one of the iconic sports facilities in the country. Its name honors General Neyland, who launched the great Tennessee football tradition. The University also feels that it is important to state that the Big Orange Army is not sanctioned or endorsed as an official fan organization by the University of Tennessee.”

So, unlike the Birmingham Big Orange Club, which is recognized by the University, the Big Orange Army is not. So that leaves me in sort of a quandary, should I just give up on trying to get the BOA to make it easier to credit a new “enlistee” to the recruiter or should I continue to hound them about it?