Johnson reacts to Fulmer's dismissal
by Jarred Amato
on Nov 3, 2008 3:24 PM EST
in Football
Vanderbilt's Bobby Johnson said he was surprised to learn that Phil Fulmer will not return as Tennessee's coach next season. But, then again, he wasn't.
"If it is true, I'm kind of shocked and surprised, but like you said, that's the way it's going nowadays," Johnson said. "Contracts don't matter. It's just if somebody reacts and decides to do something, they do it."
Fulmer has won 150 games in just under 17 seasons in Knoxville, but after meeting with Tennessee officials this morning, the two sides agreed that he will not be back in 2009. He signed a new seven-year deal last summer, which included a $6 million buyout.
"Whether it's true or not, Coach Fulmer's always had an outstanding team over there at Tennessee," Johnson said. "It's hard to maintain every year the expectations that maybe that program has, but he's been very consistent at that, too. He's had wonderful years since I've been playing against him except for one. I think it's just been an outstanding career."
To be fair, 2008 makes the second really bad season for Fulmer. The Vols (3-6, 1-5 SEC) look poised to post their second losing season in the past four years. They finished 5-6 in 2005, including a home loss to Vanderbilt.
With that said, Johnson had nothing but for praise Fulmer.
"I want to congratulate Coach Fulmer on a fantastic career," Johnson said, "and I think it’d be hard-pressed to find a guy who has done more for his alma mater than that."
Perhaps, but given what Fulmer has done (or hasn't done) for the Vols lately, it became increasingly clear that his time in Knoxville was up.
Johnson said he appreciates the fact that he has the support of David Williams and the rest of the university, while also understanding that anything can happen.
"Those contracts don't mean very much right now, but I think, I hope David (Williams) knows we're trying our very best every day," Johnson said. "We come here and give our very best, and I'm sure Coach Fulmer does too, but I know what kind of business we're in, and nothing ever surprises me anymore."
0 recs |
3
comments
| Add comment
|
Read Related
Email
PrintComments
Any thoughts...
… on the upcoming Florida game?
Orange and Blue Hue: The World through GATOR-colored Glasses -- http://www.orangeandbluehue.com
by Gatorpilot on
Nov 3, 2008 9:46 PM EST
reply
0 recs
I personally find it a little hasty to fire Fulmer this quickly. Not that I’m surprised, but I find it hard to believe that it’s worth it to pay $6 million to buy out a guy with 35 years as a player and a coach as well as a career win percentage of over .700 and a national championship. Obviously things looked like they were on the decline, and I know how frustrating it is to watch a coach you believe to be the wrong guy for the job (I’m a Rams fan), but doesn’t a track record like that mean anything?
by Greg Viverito on
Nov 4, 2008 10:13 AM EST
reply
0 recs
On the other hand
Fulmer has had the largest recruiting budget of any NCAA team for a while and has not lived up to that budget. Primarily because he lost his two best recruiters several years, one to UGA at the time. It was after that he could not recruit from the state of Georgia.
On top of this, he has had continual problems with player behavior and grad rates were near the bottom in the NCAA. Given the money UT throws at the program, at Fulmer, (and probably player too) along with the discipline and graduation problems, I am surprised he lasted this long. The graduation problem was hurting the bottom line for UT—available scholarships. Losing scholarships was not going to aid the rebuilding effort.
What surprises most people I think is the obscene raises and contract extensions every single year, and then to pull the plug this quick. I think the raises and the extensions were not warranted.
by VU EE85 on
Nov 4, 2008 5:12 PM EST
reply
0 recs
New FanPost
