Confessions of a Fulmer Apologist

Similar to our friend 'twobeer', now I find myself having to apologize to a good man and a good coach on behalf of a somewhat dissapointing fan base tonight. As most of you not living under a sports rock realize by now, Phillip Fulmer has not survived as head coach at my alma mater (Tennessee). It is very sad for me. In fact, I have taken this news much worse than I thought I would.

In 1997, I took 'coaching football' as a pass/fail course under Coach Fulmer. This was not a Jim Harrick type course that they might teach at Georgia, but instead a labor of love that Coach did for anyone that planned on coaching or working in athletic administration. No athletes were allowed in the course, and you had to be nominated to be a part of it. I also worked in the athletic department as a student worker, and had some very occassional dealings with Coach Fulmer in that capacity. Both of these things gave me a chance to see the character of Coach Fulmer. Believe me when I tell you his character is far better than most.

Because I attended Tennessee during the Manning (and luckily the Tee Martin) years, I had moments of pure frustration as the team tettered on the edge of greatness for most of my college years before finally winning the championship in 1998. During one of these bouts of frustration as one of my classmates cursed a loss to Florida, I made a solemn vow that if Coach Fulmer ever won a national title in my life, I would never criticize him publicly. With that in mind, I should tell you that I was fortunate enough to be in Tempe when the Vols knocked off the favored Seminoles for the first BCS national title. My dad and I had a wonderful trip and one of my most memorable life moments that night. I have pretty much lived up to my word. To say I have never been critical at all may be a tiny stretch. Like most fans, I have cursed into the tv screen a time or two - but, I can say that I never wanted him fired.

Since I have some memory of where we were as a program before Fulmer took the reigns, let me provide some quick perspective for everyone (especially Vols fans who apparently believe themselves to be the chosen people who deserve an annual national title run)...Only two other men that have coached for more than 10 years have a greater winning percentage than Coach Fulmer's. Those men are Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden. Not bad company. Apparently, instead of keeping a class act around that lives in that company of men, we are instead hoping to trade Fulmer in for a coach who can live in the company of Les Miles, Nick Saban and Urban "Bigger than the Program" Meyer. My son will likely not ever be fortunate enough to play football at Tennessee; however, if he were, I would much rather him play for a losing Fulmer than any of these characters. Clearly, I am in the minority.

As they say, I am a Vols fan born, and a Vols fan bred, and when I die, I will be a Vols fan dead. I love my university and always will, but today is a sad day. So, Coach, if you ever stumble across the FFF blog, please know that on behalf of the misguided others - I am truly sorry.

Also, if you and Tommy Bowden ever stumble across the FFF blog together, know that Jess and I would appreciate a scholarship offer for our sons wherever either of you two men should land.