Ask Mike - January, 2004 - University of Tennessee Athletics

Jan. 20, 2004

Thank you for your continued interest and your response to the "Ask Mike" feature on utsports.com. I look forward to answering more of your questiona and getting your feedback in the coming year.

Go Vols!
Mike Hamilton

Could you tell me the reason Fulmer got another raise this year? I am not trying to be smart, I would just like to know what went into this decision. THANKS.
Marty H.
Lenoir City, TN

Mike Hamilton: Thank you for your e-mail.

In regard to the University's decision to provide Coach Fulmer with a contract extension and raise, we evaluate all of our coaches in relation to the five core values of the athletic program. These are abiding by the rules, competing and winning in championships, graduating student athletes, running their programs in a fiscally sound manner and representing the University and our community in a positive fashion.

Coach Fulmer runs a clean program and represents the institution in a positive fashion. The football program is fiscally sound and 36 student athletes achieved a 3.0 or higher GPA this semester and no players were academically suspended from the bowl game. In addition, the raise and extension were based upon pre-season expectations vs. actual regular season performance. Wins at Miami, Alabama and Florida, coupled with the fact that Tennessee has now won 99 games over a 10 year span, all have bearing on this decision. Only three programs in America, Florida State, Kansas State and Nebraska, can boast this level of success over the past 10 years. This was also coupled with a SEC Eastern Division co-championship and the fact that Phillip has now won in excess of 80% of his games over his entire tenure.

This year's raise was 7.5% compared to raises in previous years of 11% and 23%. No raise was given in 2002. Institutions typically negotiate with their coaches both before and after bowl games, and we have a track record of providing some type of extension prior to the bowl game on a fairly regular basis. This has some bearing on recruiting and makes a statement to the recruits about the stability of your football program.

I have tried to be fair to Coach Fulmer, given his level of success while not doing anything totally out of line in consideration of the state budget problems. It is important to note the University of Tennessee Athletic program receives no state or federal funds.

Thank you again for your support of Tennessee athletics and concern for the program. We look forward to great things in 2004.

Go Vols!
Mike

Dear Sir, Just a note to offer my excited approval for our outstanding football coach..Phil Fulmer. He has certainly been a tremendous asset professionally, and in addition, exhibits those qualities of character so very important to our program. Maybe the most impressive of his credentials is his GENUINE concern for his players. There is life after football, and I am firmly convinced Phillip has that as a high priority. Of course we all love our Vols, and want them to win all games every year. To make that goal a matter of reality, would be too much to expect from anyone. He is one class act and no doubt the University football program will continue to enjoy great success under his leadership. Thanks for allowing me to communicate my thoughts on this fine coach and person !!!!!!!
Larry Kelley
Pikeville, Tennessee

Mike Hamilton: Thanks for your e-mail and your support of Tennessee athletics.

Go Vols!
Mike

We fans hear our coaches frequently saying they are evaluting everything from personnel to theirselves. Which makes me ask does anyone hear of our offensive concerns directed by randy sanders whether it is a real problem or preceived seems like our offense needs some spark, we need a more production from the coaching staff. Hope you are evaluting.
Connie
Hixson, Tennessee

Mike Hamilton: Hi Connie. Thank you for your e-mail.

At the end of every season Coach Fulmer takes a hard look at the future of his program to determine how best to prepare for the next season and evaluates what changes are needed. This includes looking at staffing, philosophy, personnel, recruiting and schemes. Tennessee has now won 99 games over a 10 year span. Only three programs in America, Florida State, Kansas State and Nebraska, can boast this level of success over the past 10 years. We will make every effort to ensure that we remain on this elite list.

Thank you for your support of UT Athletics and concern for the program. We look forward to great things in 2004.

Go Vols!
Mike

Thank you for taking the time to read this concerned vol fans email.

First off I would like to show my displeasure as to the vols performance in the peach bowl..I found it worse than humbling but downright embarrassing. How long must we vol fans put up with this do less with more attitude that seems to have taken over the volunteer coaching staff? Coach Fulmer is a great coach. But the staff around him makes his talents moot. Coach Fulmer will not cut ties with the weeds that are not only choking him but is football program.

Please, help him make the changes necessary to bring us back to the top....
Nick Barringer
Rockford, Tenn.

Nick,
Thank you for your e-mail.

Mike Hamilton: In regard to our performance in the 2004 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, I think we can all say we were not pleased with the end result. Our expectations are to win games of this nature and to certainly continue to improve our bowl record. As the season concludes, Coach Fulmer will be taking a hard look at the future of his program to determine how best to prepare for the next season. Complacency is not an option in a league where seven institutions in the SEC have won national championships, have adequate resources and fan bases and are striving for the same goals as we are every day. These changes could include any number of things. I know that he will look at staff, schemes, philosophies, support, recruiting, etc. to make sure that the right things are being done to continue to have success and compete for championships.

Thank you again for your support of Tennessee athletics and concern for the program. We look forward to great things in 2004.

Go Vols!
Mike

Hey Mike,
I am a UT graduate (1988) and have been in Huntsville, AL after receiving my degree in EE. As a big UT sports fan, I am in an environment of some really obnoxious AL fans. The latest news of Fulmer's involvment (refer to Lawyer Gallion) in the AL sanctions is troublesome and no doubt will cause many much grief. Is there any truth to what Gallion is reporting?
Jeff Rhea
Huntsville, Ala.

Mike Hamilton: Thanks for your e-mail. While I find the timing of Mr. Gallion's media appearances interesting (the week of the Alabama game and again shortly before signing date), we take any and all allegations seriously. We are in the process of reviewing these charges and will bring this issue to closure as quickly as is prudent and possible. Thanks for your interest in Tennessee athletics.

Go Vols!
Mike

Mike,
I just was reading through all of the responses, and I just wanted to voice my opposition to any plans to wear any sort of 'retro' jerseys in the future. That is very bad for our tradition.
Craig Sanders
Jackson, Tennessee

Craig - Thanks for your e-mail. Plans to wear retro jerseys would be on a one-game basis only and the intent is to honor our tradition not demean it. We would do this in conjunction with honoring our past football lettermen.

Thanks and Go Vols!
Mike