University of Tennessee Athletics
Ask Mike - October 2005
November 02, 2005 | General
Nov. 2, 2005
Dear Mike,
Im getting sick and tired of everyone acting like the vols should pack it up for the season and just give up. I just wanted to ask if you would make sure that the team knows anything can happen in college football especially in the sec. They are a heck of a football team and I am like every vol fan that expects us to win every game but in real life it cant happen every year. The one question though that I would like an answer to is just because Ainge had a few bad plays did everyone forget that he is the same quarterback that beat florida, georgia and Alabama last season. Something peyton couldnt even do. I would rather see coach make it a rotating quarterback team for 2005 and keep in the hot hand than keep a quarterback on the field even when things are bad just because he made a verbal commitment to it on television. What are the chances of that happening with the way the offense is struggling? Worse than what they were before the qb commitment to clausen. But dont get me wrong I think Clausen is a good leader and has great poise but we dont want to be in this situation next season after clausen is gone. Which is what it is starting to look like if something isnt done soon.
Thanks.. GREAT JOB AS A.D by the way.... GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Will, Sevierville
Hi Will,
Thank you for your e-mail and your support. We were all disappointed with the loss on Saturday, but you're right - there is still a lot of football to be played. The guys are staying focused and getting ready to take on Alabama next week. You will probably see Ainge in the next few weeks. We still have some tough games ahead of us, and Phillip wants to keep all of his options open.
Thank you for you support of the Vols!
Mike
Dear Mike,
I am principal at Tullahoma High School. I am a long time Vols fan and UT graduate. Like many others, I am disappointed in how the season has gone. But I am even more disappointed in the negative response by fans. Phillip Fulmer, his family, and his coaches deserve much better than that. Please pass along to him that there are many people still out there who have faith that he will get this thing turned around. He is a good coach and a fine man, husband, and father. He is doing the things right that really count. Tell him not to worry about the fair-weather fans who get upset that a 19 year old kid drops a ball, when they can't even find their car in the parking lot. Coach Fulmer's integrity and class encourage me to continue to defend the coaches on my staff as they work long hours to impact our kids in a positive manner. Keep the faith! P.S. James Mitchell is a strong, Godly influence. You are fortunate to have him.
Mike Landis, Tullahoma
Thanks for your support Mike. I'll pass your note along to Phillip.
Go Vols! Mike
Dear Mike,
Mike, I respect Randy Sanders for his resignation as OC. Please encourage Coach Fulmer to keep Randy on the staff and let him have another area of responsibility. I believe he is a good man and has made his best effort to coach the players but they have not responded. After 30 years of management in the business world I realize that good people get bad breaks.
GO VOLS Bill Bryant, Lawrenceville, GA
Thanks for your e-mail Bill. I will forward your note along to Coach Sanders and Coach Fulmer. Randy is a great man and we appreciate everything he has done for Tennessee.
Go Vols!
Mike
