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Opinions
Fulmer’s story teaches lesson
BY GLENN HARBISON, PUBLISHER
Monday, December 1, 2008 3:43 PM CST
Phillip Fulmer left the playing field at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville Saturday night the way he should have, in style, carried on the shoulders of his players.
Fulmer’s sparkling 16-year career as the Vols head coach ended with a win over Kentucky on a classic cold, rainy Knoxville night.
And while the weather may have dampened some spirits, and left many of Neyland Stadium’s 107,000-plus seats empty, there was no mistaking the joy on the coaches’ and players’ faces as they ended 2008 with a victory.
The Vols have suffered this year, to say the least. The suffering resulted in Fulmer’s firing.
And, while many UT fans called for Fulmer’s head early in the season, others are still standing by their position he should have been given another chance.
Me, I’ve been saying for years Fulmer has never gotten the full potential out of the Vols. My belief goes all the way back to Peyton Manning’s last two years. It was inexcusable not to win a national championship with Manning and all the talent that surrounded him on the field.
The Vols proved that the following year with an unknown quarterback named Tee Martin. And it was that championship that brought Fulmer unmatched forgiveness from the Orange faithful.
Now, many of those same faithful and some others are saying Fulmer deserved another year.
The Vols began putting in a new offense this year, switching from their tried and true smash-mouth running game to a version of the spread offense. A team filled with seniors and veteran starters was forced into learning something new.
Those standing behind Fulmer said it was too early to cut him loose. They pointed to the new offense and its potential for the future, but cautioned it takes time to learn a new routing. They professed the “just wait until next year” attitude. That is not something common or accepted on The Hill. Just like a season that produced only five wins, there is little patience for “later.”
But, whatever anyone feels, Fulmer leaves a legacy at Tennessee. He has undoubtedly been one of the best coaches in the school’s history. His winning percentage is still right at the top among active coaches. He and his teams have put up records that will not be broken for a very long time - if ever.
Tennessee owed him Phil Fulmer Day and all the accolades that went along with it.
And, chances are, Tennessee fans will see him again, but not in orange and white.
Now, enter a new coach and a new era for Tennessee football.
Lane Kiffin brings an offensive mind to the Vols top job. No doubt he will breathe new life into the offense.
But, all that is yet to be seen. Sportswriters everywhere are speculating, and I’ll let them have their heyday.
But, something struck me this past weekend when Josh, Karen’s and my oldest son, and I were debating who would become UT’s head coach. We both had our favorites.
Ever since I heard Fulmer was on his way out, I’ve been hoping for Mike Leech, the head coach at Texas Tech, to join the Vols. My first choice would have been Steve Spurrier, but I won’t take the time to defend that idea. Besides, he turned the job down before it was offered. He’s getting close to putting all his sports knowledge into playing golf.
Leach though seemed right in many ways. He’s tough. He’s a fighter. He finds ways to win.
Josh mentioned he had been one of the coaches considered, but that he just “didn’t fit in” in Knoxville, according to the writers and sports talk radio hosts.
“It’s Tennessee,” I said, “if you win, you’re in, if you lose, you’re out. What could be more simple?” Everyone in Big Orange Country is ready to accept a winner.
And, as Fulmer’s situation proves, in many ways, that philosophy is very true in Knoxville.
But, it’s true everywhere, isn’t it?
So often, sports fans want wins and nothing else. And, we don’t care how those victories come, as long as they come.
No doubt, winning is the name of the game and winning is a lot more fun than losing. Winning teaches many of the valuable lessons our young people need to learn. But, maybe, just maybe, it should teach us something else - patience.
Who knows, maybe years of winning should have taught all Vol fans Phil Fulmer deserved another year. And, if so, maybe we can learn that lesson and apply it somewhere else.
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