It was the right thing to do and the right time to do it. That doesn’t make the week of the announcement that Coach Fulmer’s long and mostly successful tenure at the University of Tennessee was coming to a close an easy one. This was never more evident than the wide range of responses displayed by everyone regardless of stance during and in the aftermath of the strangest most uncomfortable press conference in history.

I was and am convinced that Coach Fulmer’s time as our Head Football Coach had run its course and needed to come to an end. I do not however want to hold hard feelings or see him ostracized with his accomplishments diminished as has happened to Coach Majors. I also don’t want to be relentlessly critical as he concludes his time as our head man but the press conference and the media day that followed reminded me of how conflicted I have been over the last half of his tenure. I thought like our up and down performances of this decade Monday and Tuesday were the worst and best of Coach Fulmer and the Tennessee Football Program.

Those two days were eerily similar to the first two days of the current season. I’m referring to Coach Fulmer’s bungled handling of subpoena-gate at the Winfrey Hotel in Hoover during SEC Media Days followed by a superlative performance on ESPN programming the following day. In my opinion Monday’s resignation was Hoover and Tuesday’s media day could have been done in Bristol Connecticut.

Let’s start with Monday. I realize it seems hard-hearted to critically evaluate a man on what had to be one of if not the most emotionally charged day of his life and that is not my intention but these were my feelings as I watched. I expected the emotions believe they were genuine, and understandable. Coach Fulmer truly loves the Tennessee Football Program, his players, and most of all, being a coach. I also expected him to be somewhat combative. Who would think otherwise with his competitive nature and resiliency on a day when he was told he could no longer continue in his dream job? I also thought his contention that he didn’t want the UT family to stay divided was classy and honorable.

My problem was the rest of his statement and the way it was delivered. Under the circumstances the statement was too lengthy making its delivery extremely hard on him and everyone else involved. His inability to conceal his anger with Mike Hamilton was in my opinion the spark that empowered his players in attendance to conduct themselves in a disrespectful manner toward everyone other than the man they came to support. I also thought there was an air of entitlement as if his past accomplishments gave him the right to continue on in perpetuity regardless of the current negative direction of the program. I was stunned that he was truly surprised that it came to this conclusion. I guess there is something to the bunker mentality and narrowed focus that coaches preach about because if he didn’t know it was coming he was the only one. Lastly the TV driven air of mourning afterwards was misplaced. No one is dead here. Coach Fulmer will be paid six million dollars over the next several years AND was offered the opportunity to be a part of the University he loves in a paid position for as long as he so desires. We should all be so lucky in “termination”.

Then came Tuesday and I was reminded of why I was once so happy to have him as our Head Football Coach. With the same media members that he mostly shunned the day before he was relaxed, respectful, and focused. He talked about meeting with the staff, preparing for Wyoming, and finishing the task at hand. He said he and his coaches would continue to try and solidify what appears to be a good recruiting class by telling them “The same thing I told them to get them here. It’s a great place to be---great fans and facilities and tradition and opportunities are plenty”. He even said he would be willing to help as a consultant as Tennessee looks for its next coach. I don’t want that to happen but I admire him for it none the less.

That’s the Coach Fulmer that I will remember, the guy that always seemed to be at his best after the darkest of days. I’m glad that our program will take a new and fresh approach in the very near future. I will however always appreciate the contributions that Phillip Fulmer made.

It was really rather sad to see. Coach Fulmer dying a thousand deaths watching his team put forth another last-place-like effort that you know had even he questioning “how did we get here”? On the other sideline the once point-a-minute master mind of an offense that changed the way games were played in the SEC has an attack so pedestrian that he ordered up 44 runs that were advancing the ball at only 2.3 yards per attempt. Oh how the mighty have fallen since the turn of the decade. In a couple of years when it occurs again Coach Fulmer definitely won’t be on the sideline and Steve Spurrier may not be either. I guess all good things come to an end and time marches on. Many more seasons like the current one however will age us all at double-time.

Here are the notes from last night’s game:

THE GOOD

ERIC BERY Is he the best DB in Tennessee history? I think so. He’s a ball-hawk like Deon Grant; dynamic with it in his hands like Dale Carter and hits like Fred White.

DAN WILLIAMS: Big Dan had 4 tackles and a tackle-for-loss on a bum ankle.

BRITTON COLQUITT He punted 9 times for a 45.3 average with 2 killed inside the 20 and three fair caught. Unfortunately for Britton and the Vols their second biggest weapon let an old weakness cost him the first 5 games.

DEFENSE’S WILL AND PERFORMANCE Much like 2005 the Vols Stop Troop has been playing by themselves. This banged up unit continues to drag themselves onto the field and put forth winning efforts. They held the Gamecocks to 255 yards and 4 of 17 on third down conversion opportunities. All indications are they have also resisted what must be an unbearable desire to beat the hell out of their offensive teammates.

AUSTIN ROGERS: Welcome to 2008 Austin! Rogers caught 3 passes for 72 yards including a nifty 49 yard catch-and-run.

ARIAN FOSTER I have been one of his harshest critics but Foster ran hard (14-56-1TD), held onto the football, was a big part of the passing game (3-33) and showed leadership by consoling a disconsolate Lennon Creer after his fumble.


THE BAD

OUR QB OPTIONS Tell me one more time what a great recruiting staff Fulmer has always had at his disposal? Nick Stephens has played mostly mistake free but neither he nor Jonathan Crompton should EVER see the field as a starting QB at what’s supposed to be an upper-division program

PERSONNEL DECISIONS Let’s see Stephens throws his first interception in 107 passes (then admittedly throws a little hissy-fit), Lennon Creer fumbles and both are immediately yanked with Creer’s benching lasting the remainder of the game. What’s the message here? Underclassmen get one mistake while upperclassmen get a free pass regardless of the number of gaffes? And where in the Sam Hill is Denarius Moore?

O-LINE PLAY This is a rubber stamp entry. I realize our inability to protect has a lot to do with our abysmal running game. Oh yeah I forgot. Much of that is attributed to the five matadors we call an offensive front O`le.

FEWER PENALTIES BUT JUST AS DAMAGING The Vols committed fewer infractions than in past weeks (3-15) but they were very costly.

TIME OF POSSESION AFTER 1ST QUARTER How in the world do you hold the ball for 10:14 of the first quarter and finish with only 27:30?

THE UGLY

THREE TURNOVERS You knew it had to happen. Bad offenses turn the ball over and the Vols had been error-free for the previous three games. Vol giveaways led directly to 17 points. They’re lucky the officiating crew AND Spurrier and staff were asleep at the switch because Crompton clearly fumbled after being blindsided.

SPECIAL TEAMS MINUS COLQUITT Dennis Rogan fumbles a punt; Carolina averages 44.5 yards/kick return including a 67 yarder after our only TD; Demetrice Morley jumps off-sides on a missed FG attempt and our return game remains impotent.

THREE (OR LESS) AND OUT The Vols had 16 total possession 9 of which were for three plays or less. Instead of using practice to find something (anything) that works the Vols must be preparing for “Dancing With the Stars”; one, two, three, PUNT; one, two, three, PUNT.


THE YOO-GLY (This year calls for an additional category)

CONTINUED OFFENSIVE INEPTITUDE This offense is putrid. I was obviously wrong in thinking that the hiring of Dave Clawson and staff was an excellent decision by Coach Fulmer. Our program’s problems go much deeper and pre-dated Coach Clawson but the lack of progression of his unit is disturbing. This is the worst offense since this proud program junked the single-wing for good upon Doug Dickey’s arrival in 1964.

VOLS SEC PERFORMANCES We’re 1-5 and dead last in the SEC East (yes that is the division in which Kentucky and Vandy reside). The Vols have been outscored 126-47 in their 5 SEC losses this season. They are only the ninth team in program history to lose 6 games and another loss would make this only the second team in school history to lose 7 (1977)

THE BEAUTIFUL

THE BALL IN BERRY’S HANDS OR ON COLQUITT’S FOOT Berry looks like he’s going to score every time he touches the ball (except for the one play our offensive brain trust decided to use him). It’s a shame he has to labor in the anonymity of a dreadful season. Colquitt’s 71 yard beauty and overall excellence would have put a smile on George Cafego’s face that couldn’t be erased.

THE SUFFERING IS 75% COMPLETE I came into this year intent on enjoying the season regardless of the outcome but this team is impossible to take any pleasure in following. They are unentertaining, undisciplined, and unwatchable. They started out bad and have regressed from there. The fans have no fervor and the coaches have no answers. This is worse than 2005 because other than Eric Berry what gives you any hope for the future? Mercifully it’s almost over.

Halloween has never seemed more frightening. The Vols are dressed up as South Carolina and it didn’t take much makeup to complete the costume. Two proud coaches who were ultra-successful in the 90s have given their fans more tricks than treats lately. Steve Spurrier not only has failed to raise the Gamecocks from their second division culture his teams have probably taken a step back from the Lou Holtz years. Phillip Fulmer meanwhile has allowed his program to slip to the point where four loss seasons are cause for celebration AND financial reward. So their rivalry has nose dived from one with National Championship implications to a battle for bowl eligibility.

Saturday’s game will be a contest of mirror images. Both have solid defenses and pedestrian offenses. Both have star-studded secondaries and disappointing offensive lines. Both have a star at strong safety and quarterbacks that you pray just don’t beat you. Neither team could run the football if Hal Mummie was the opposing Defensive Coordinator. This is a game that the Vols should definitely be in late with a chance to win. As a matter of fact it’s the type game that Eric Berry could win on his own. My guess is however that it’s simply the Gamecocks turn. Four of the last five games have been decided by 7 points or less and the Vols have won three of those. With last year’s holy roller heart-breaker still fresh in their memory, a hungry home crowd’ an open date to heal, and their confidence level boosted from winning 4 of their last 5 the Gamecocks seem to be holding all the cards.

Here are this week’s game notes:

S CAROLINA GAMEDAY NOTES
VOLS 3-5; 1-4 S CAR 5-3, 2-3
Series Record 21-3-2 @Columbia 8-2-2
Fulmer vs S Car 14-1
OFFENSE:
-R-Fr Stephen Garcia was 14-26, 215 yds and a TD vs LSU and will start vs Tennessee
-So Chris Smelley (108-180; 1276; 10/9) will play as well
-Sr WR Kenny McKinley’s seven catches at Kentucky set the S Carolina All-Time record for career catches (170); McKinley (24-283-2) is just 76 yards shy of the all-time yardage record as well
-Sr TB Mike Davis (97-377; 3.9ypc) is the workhorse of a bad running game (12th in SEC)

DEFENSE:
-DC Ellis Johnson and his 4-2-5 has S Carolina #1 in the SEC in Total Defense (256.1ypg)
-The Cocks “D” is allowing only 16.1 ppg
-Jr WLB Eric Norwood has 39 tackles and 5.5 tfl
-Jr SS Emmanuel Cook is a stud with 67 tackles on the season
-The Cocks secondary is outstanding and experienced; CBs Stoney Woodson (21 starts); Captain Munnerlyn (22); Spur Darian Stewart (18) and SS Emmanuel Cook (22)

SPECIAL TEAMS:
-Sr PK Ryan Succop (13-21) has attempted more FGs this year than anyone in America
-Succop is 23-27 (85.2%) from inside 40 yds in his career
-So P Spencer Lanning (42.4ypp) has done a nice job taking over punting duties from Succop
-Captain Munnerlyn had an 85 yd KO return vs Kentucky

THIS AND THAT
-All 5 of the Cocks SEC games have been decided by 7 points (Ws-OM, Ky Ls-Van, Ga, LSU) and three of those have been 24-17 (Van, Ky, LSU)
-The Gamecocks are last in the SEC and 110th in Nation in TO Margin (-1.13/game)
-The Cocks have had 14 different players score a TD but none have more than 2

SCARY TIDE NUMBERS
-The Gamecocks have won 4 of their last 5 games
-S Carolina has only 8 three-and-outs offensively on the season. Only offensive juggernauts Missouri, Tulsa, and Texas Tech have fewer
-Cocks have punted only 22 times on the season; The Vols have punted 44 times
-The S Car defense has allowed only 27 points following a whopping 23 turnovers
-They have scored 48 points following their 14 takeaways
-S Carolina converts 85.7 of their Red Zone opportunities (24-28; 16TDs)