All the signs pointed to Fulmer's exit

BY JIM CNOCKAERT
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

It’s been easy this football season to gauge just how dramatically the University of Tennessee faithful had turned against football coach Phil Fulmer.

All it took was a drive down Volunteer Parkway in Bristol, Tenn., past Tennessee Florist Supply, Inc.

On the sign outside the building, the business owner, who’s clearly a UT fan, has all season offered a running – and often hilarious – commentary on the state of UT football.

It started with the overtime loss in the season opener at UCLA, after which he suggested that the Vols were not ready to play in the SEC. Later, as the Vols stumbled more and Vanderbilt’s stock rose, he suggested that UT had become the “new Vandy of the SEC.”

With each defeat, the assessment has become more unflattering.

The sentiments on the sign hadn’t changed Monday from last week, but it’s a good bet they’ll soon offer a more positive outlook now that Fulmer has announced he won’t be back next season.

This UT fan is not alone in his dissatisfaction with the state of the program. Many among the faithful are certain to welcome Fulmer’s announcement because they believe it is time for a change.

The evidence against Fulmer can be pretty compelling.

UT’s 3-6 record is quite a comedown for a program that is used to excellence – one that 10 years ago won a national championship. The Vols used to be one of the top programs in the Southeastern Conference; now they’re just a blur in the rearview mirrors of the programs at Florida and Alabama.

To make matters worse this season, Fulmer often appeared to have no idea what to do to stop his team’s downward spiral. With each loss, as he tried to explain what was happening, he looked more and more lost.

And, when the head coach can’t figure out what’s wrong, that’s a pretty good indication that it’s time for a change.

But change doesn’t guarantee success. Look at what’s happening at the University of Michigan. Rich Rodriguez came to Ann Arbor, Mich., from West Virginia with a great resume, but the Wolverines will suffer their first losing season since the 1960s on his watch.

The Knoxville News Sentinel on Monday asked in an online poll who should be the next UT coach. The favorite in the vote-getting is Texas Tech coach Mike Leach, whose Red Raiders moved into the No. 2 spot in the Associated Press poll after last weekend’s upset of top-ranked Texas.

UT athletic director Mike Hamilton said Monday in a letter to UT fans that he hopes to be able to introduce a new head coach to them sometime in the next few weeks.

But it’s difficult to imagine someone like Leach – if he’s even a candidate – abandoning his team at a point where it’s challenging for a national championship. Remember, LSU coach Les Miles did exactly that last December, when he told his alma mater, Michigan, he wasn’t interested in becoming its next coach.

There’s also compelling evidence in college football this season that UT might be better off showing Fulmer a little more patience.

Penn State stuck with Joe Paterno earlier this decade when his program was struggling; now, he has his unbeaten Nittany Lions in line for a berth in the BCS championship game.

During Monday’s press conference in Knoxville, Hamilton suggested that everyone connected with the university should celebrate the positive impact that Fulmer had on the program.

Hamilton’s right. Fulmer won that national championship and a couple of SEC titles. His teams regularly contended for the SEC East crown and played in bowl games. He recruited some marvelous talent – most notably, Peyton Manning – to come to Knoxville. He steps down as the second winningest coach in program history.

That’s going to make him a tough act to follow, no matter what the sign on Volunteer Parkway might eventually suggest.

jcnockaert@bristolnews.com|(276) 645-2572