Archive for November, 2008

Final Score: Tennessee 28 • Kentucky 10

Final Statistics: Game Stats •  Season Stats

Postgame:  Quotes • Notes

Well, the the Tennessee Volunteers managed to beat the Kentucky Wildcats in convincing style on a rainy night in Neyland Stadium.  The Vols 28-10 victory over Kentucky extended Tennessee’s streak against the Cats to 24 consecutive victories for the Orange.

More importantly, the Vols win gave Phillip Fulmer a solid win in his last ever game as head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers.  Fulmer’s 152-52 record stands second only to that of General Robert R. Neyland in Tennessee history.  The game concluded with Fulmer being carried off the field by his team.

Here are game Highlights Courtesy of ESPN:

Once again, I want to thank Coach Fulmer for a wonderful 17 years.  It has truly been an honor and a pleasure.

In terms of the Vols’ performance, all I can say is that it would have been nice if they had played that way all season.  Nice win against the Cats and perhaps their best performance of the season.

Either way, here’s a rundown of thoughts on the game from across the blogosphere:

From the Good Guys (Vol Bloggers):

• Drawing the Curtain on Phillip Fulmer’s Final Act as Head Coach of the Tennessee Volunteers — Rocky Top Talk
• I will Always Be A Vol — 3SIB
• Thanks, Phil — SouthEastern Sports Blog

From the Mercenaries (Mainstream Media):

• Fond Farewell: Fulmer goes out a winner — Go Vols Xtra
• Postgame Report Card — Go Vols Xtra
• Kentucky Brings Out the Best in the Vols — Go Vols Xtra
• Fulmer Rides Out High — The Tennessean
• Vols offense finally lives up to potential — The Tennessean
• Vols top Wildcats again in Fulmer’s finale — CBS Sports
• Vols best Kentucky to send Fulmer out a winner — ESPN

My thoughts and more to come later in the day …

– Go Figure …

Image Courtesy of: GoVolsXtra / Michael Patrick

I remember the night of the Tennessee Waltz.  Now I know just how much I have lost…

Once again we find ourselves staring the end of football season in the face, but this one is different.

Today Tennessee says goodbye to Phillip Fulmer…

Phillip Fulmer has been the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers at all but one of the more than 100 games I have attended since my very first game in the early 1990s.  I have such conflicted feelings about today.  I essentially said my “goodbye” to Coach Fulmer a few weeks ago in my post “Goodbye, Charlie Brown…”.  In that post, I finally explained to the world why it is that I have always called him the Great Punkin—not as an insult, but as a matter of personal respect.  I pretty much summed up my feelings for Coach Fulmer as a man and as Head Coach.

Needless to say, I have immense respect for Fulmer…

Today is the final “Tennessee Waltz” for Coach Fulmer.  Though I think most will agree that the Volunteers’ performance on the field could have been far better this year, Fulmer’s departure marks a turning point in the history of Tennessee athletics.  This season has been terribly difficult for Tennessee fans—not so much as a result of the wins and losses, but because of the divisions between the fans over where it is the program should be headed.  I think Joel at RTT is right, this is the Season of Constant Sorrow.  There is no joy in seeing a man who has served the University of Tennessee so honorably and steadfastly for over 30 years be forced out.

For me, this is a sad day—I dread the thought of Coach Fulmer running through the T for the final time.  I hate the thought of those last seconds ticking off the clock.  It pains me to think that the next time we all meet again, there will be a different leader of the Big Orange Nation.  I also feel that when that gathering occurs, next Fall, something will be missing.  We will no longer be the family that we once were.

All of this is, of course, compounded by the fact that—for reasons which are beyond my control—I am unable to be in Knoxville today.  I will be relegated to watching the game on television and saying my goodbye from afar.

Like Will at SESB, I honestly do not know what to say—nothing is appropriate, or fitting.

All I can say to Coach Fulmer, is what I have already said:  Thank You, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Thank you for guiding the Vols to an SEC Championship, then another, then to a National Championship.  Thank you for always honoring the institution that you represent.  Thank you for being a wonderful representative for the alma mater that we both share.  Thank you for your integrity, your class, and your example.

Most of all, thank you for your humanity.  I have always been so proud to know that you were not just another football CEO.  I for one appreciate the fact that you have always let the world know that you are human and, yeah, every single loss hurts.

Thank you for always understanding that Tennessee football is not just about wins and losses, it is so much more than that.  It’s about sons and fathers, mothers and daughters.  It’s about big dreams and hopeful expectancy.  It’s about a connection between generations and a tie to a shared pastime.  It’s about devotion, loyalty, respect, family, and friends.  It’s about looking back on the days spent on the Hill.  It’s about a beautiful East Tennessee afternoon, the Smoky Mountains framing the sky with their majesty.  It’s about camaraderie, it’s about a shared experience.  It’s laughing, it’s crying, it’s living a memory, it’s hoping for the future, it’s about dreams, and it’s about spending a few minutes in this frenetic existence just savoring the colors and sounds of life.  It’s something that keeps all of us coming back for more and it’s something that simply defies description.

It’s not just a game, and it never will be.

It’s about life, it’s about love, and it’s about being part of something bigger than any one person could ever be alone.  It’s about history and things to come.

Thank you, Coach Fulmer for always honoring these truths and for making all of us proud.

I have such hope for the future, but for now, I am sad, as Coach Fulmer’s “Tennessee Waltz” comes to a close, and an era ends for the University of Tennessee.  Though Tennessee will undoubtedly win many more games in the future, the Tennessee family will never be quite the same as it has been.  It is exciting to think of what it will be like next year—what the future holds—but there will be time for that later.

Today is Coach Fulmer’s day.

I so wish I could have made it to Knoxville today for the game—to be part of the masses in giving Coach Fulmer his day.  That, unfortunately was simply was not meant to be, and thus I will have to thank him from afar.

Still, despite my distance, as the Phillip Fulmer era comes to a close, I encourage everyone who loves the Orange to take a moment of pause as you enter the stadium, as you take your seat, as you settle in to watch the game on television or listen on the radio—take just a moment and reflect.  Take just a moment and thank Coach Fulmer in your own way for always working so hard to make us proud to wear our orange.

Along with wanting to be in Knoxville today, I had also intended on putting together a tribute video for Coach Fulmer, but due to the fact that I have been forced into another trial starting on Monday, I was simply unable to get it put together in time.  For that, I am sorry.  Thus, all I can offer is this small token of my appreciation, which I was able to get together in the time I had.

Phillip Fulmer’s Final Tennessee Waltz | Gate 21

(Note: as of the time of this post, the video above was still being processed by YouTube.  It should automatically appear once that process is completed.)

I wish I had something more profound, more “weighty,” more poignant to say to express my thanks to Coach Fulmer, but words fail.

Thus, I’ll simply thank Coach Fulmer for giving so much to all of us, for working so hard to make the Vols shine, and for never wavering in his dedication to Tennessee.  I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Coach Fulmer, I—and so many others—will never forget your Tennessee Waltz…

– Go Figure …

Here are a few videos from around the web this morning…

First up, the BasketVols advanced to the finals of the Old Spice Classic yesterday, by beating the Georgetown Hoyas 90-78.  Here’s the highlights courtesy of ESPN.com.

You can get more information on the Vols’ win over Georgetown as well as their next game at UTSports.com and from my good friend RBK at the BruceBall Blog.

As Coach Fulmer prepares to coach his last game as Tennessee Volunteers‘ head football coach, Chris Low of ESPN is reporting that it is all but official that Lane Kiffin will be the next head football coach for the Vols. Here’s his report, again, courtesy of ESPN.com.

Not to be outdone, Go Vols Xtra is also reporting that Kiffin will likely be announced as the next head coach at a press conference sometime on Monday.

Ron Higgins of the Memphis Commercial Appeal, however, thinks that Smiling Mike is crazy for hiring Kiffin, who Higgins thinks is unqualified to take the reins in Knoxville.

More to come later in the day, on Coach Fulmer’s final game today against the Kentucky Wildcats…

– Go Figure …

Videos Courtesy of: ESPN

Orlando Fun and Kiffin’s the Man

First, and I’m sure I speak for lawvol as well, all of us here at Gate 21 hope you and yours had excellent Thanksgivings yesterday. If you’re like me, it may take a day or two to recover from the tryptophan and chocolate pie you ate way too much of. Also, my apologies for going M.I.A. the past week or so since my poor excuse at making you laugh with the Duck, Duck, Goose riddle.

Now, down to business. First, having watched the Tennessee hoops team play the past two days in the Old Spice Classic in Orlando has been great. I love Bruce Pearl, and this team so far has really exceeded my expectations. Two wins on neutral courts over likely NCAA Tournament teams are, well, you just can’t say anything bad about them really.

Tennessee came from behind to beat Georgetown 90-78 to advance to the Old Spice Classic title game

Just five games in, I already love this team.

Trailing 63-55 with 10 or so minutes left was the Vols’ first real gut-check of the season. With Wayne Chism chilling on the stationary bike and momentum clearly on Georgetown’s side, how would Tennessee answer?

First it was the leader, Tyler Smith. He hits some tough shots in traffic in the lane that you just can figure out how he makes them go in. His touch is impeccable. Once Tennessee started getting some stops on the defensive hit, Cam Tatum went bonkers from three, knocking down two from the corner, one from the top of the key (the bank was open), and one from the wing (the dagger), prompting him to high-five Bert Bertelkamp, who undoubtedly yelled (literally, yelled) his favorite line…

MONEY!!

As has been the trademark of Bruce Pearl’s team, especially the past two seasons, the Vols just wore Georgetown down. Anytime you can hang 90 on the team that led the nation in FG% defense last year with your main big man winning the stationary bike Tour de France, you got something here. The Vols now wait to face the Maryland-Gonzaga winner in Sunday night’s championship game. Winning this tournament would be a huge confidence builder for a young Tennessee team.

Secondly, there’s something else I heard, something about Lane Kiffin being the next head coach at Tennessee. I won’t go into depth as to my reactions to this, as it’s not 100% official and I figure I’d wait til after the Kentucky game tomorrow night. I’ll defer to the guys over at 3SIB, who did an excellent job on going in-depth on each of the candidates for the job, and their Kiffin profile here.

Welcome aboard Lane Kiffin

Briefly, Kiffin was not my first choice. I had wanted Will Muschamp since last September, when Florida hung 59 on Tennessee and Muschamp’s defense at Auburn smacked the Gates in the mouth. Instead, he’s the “coach-in-waiting” at Texas, for who knows how long (don’t sleep on Auburn coming after him should/when they lose to Alabama tomorrow). My second choice was Butch Davis, but with North Carolina’s recent issues he lost a little with me.

I wanted someone young and fresh. I think Kiffin provides that, and his biggest question for me is inexperience. Time will tell who’s on his staff and which recruits stay/bail/jump back aboard, but Kiffin may have been the best/most sensible choice.

I trust Mike Hamilton’s judgment. Two words as to why: Bruce Pearl.

I’m sure lawvol and I will have plenty more on the new hire, the Kentucky game, and Sunday night’s possible hoops championship in the very near future.

Images Courtesy of: Phelan M. Ebenhack / AP (ESPN.com) • Paul Sakuma / AP (Daylife)

There’s an interesting piece on Phillip Fulmer over at CBS Sports.com in which he acknowledged that he considered retiring in both 1998 and 2001.

Fulmer said he mulled retirement after the Vols’ 1998 national championship season and in 2001, when they nearly played for another national title.

“We played for the (Southeastern Conference) championship five out of the last 11 years. So it isn’t like we just had reason to be looking to retire,” Fulmer told the Associated Press.

…

Fulmer was urged by his wife, Vicky, to quit after the ‘98 season. He acknowledges that Vicky and his children, now grown, paid a huge price for the amount of work he’s put in as coach.

They talked about it again when the Vols were one game away from playing in the title game in ‘01 after a 10-1 regular season, but lost in the SEC Championship Game and played in the Fiesta Bowl instead.

“If we’d won that championship game and played for (the national title) and maybe won it again, maybe you do it then. I had several chances to do other things at other places,” Fulmer said without specifying what those other opportunities were.

Fulmer also hinted that he might write a “behind the scenes” book on the world of college football coaching.

• Volunteers’ Fulmer considered retiring after ‘98, ‘01 – CBSSports.com

– Go Figure …

Note to self:  Don’t get into an argument with UT President John Petersen’s wife, Carol…

Doing so might result in screaming, verbal attacks, incident reports, recriminations, and gag orders.

Hmmm…  I wonder if Ms. Petersen is related to college basketball referee, Ted Valentine?

I also wonder why exactly the KNS decided that this story related to “Other Sports”?

I mean, they seem like fair questions…

– Go Figure …

All sorts of rumors are flying about in Big Orange Country about Lane Kiffin.  Numerous websites, blogs, and news organizations are reporting that Smilin’ Mike has already offered the Tennessee coaching job to the 33 year-old former head coach of the Los Angeles Raiders.

Could this be Tennessee's next head coach?

In response, Mike Hamilton publicly stated that he had not offered Kiffin the job.  According to the Knoxville News Sentinel Hamilton stated:

We have not offered the job to anybody.  If anybody has said that, that would be incorrect information.

Our process is fluid.  I understand there is a lot of interest in what’s going on. It would not surprise me that people would want to talk about these kinds of things.  The process is not over.

— Courtesy of the Knoxville News Sentinel

What Hamilton did not say was that he had not already made a decision, even though a formal offer had not yet been extended…

I find this all a bit troubling, considering that this weekend is supposed to be about honoring our current coach, as opposed to spinning the rumor mill about who our next coach will be.

Either way, I agree with Mike Hamilton that there it is understandable that people are interested.  After all, I suppose I am writing about why it bothers me that so many people are writing about it (now you are beginning to understand why I became a lawyer).

One way or the other, here are a few of the noteworthy stories flying about at present:

• Dave Hooker and the News Sentinel report that Kiffin has not been offered the job.
• According to the folks at the Pigskin Pathos, Jimmy Hyams is reporting that it is already a done deal, which mirrors the report from MrSEC.com, from Will at SESB, and other rumors of a Creamsicle Orange Scuttlebutt.
• For what it is worth, the Cincinnati Enquirer says that Brian Kelly—head coach for the Cincinnati Bearcats who has been mentioned as a possible candidate—is more than happy to stay right where he is.
• Of course the fans on the message boards over at Smash South Sports and VolNation are going nuts over the news—some even doing their part to “encourage” Mike Hamilton visually:

A subliminal message posted by my friends at the "King" of Tennessee Message boards.

• Some are asking why Tennessee would want Kiffin, while others more preoccupied with whether Bob Kesling might leave the Vol Network.
• The whole thing has Ghost of Neyland speaking as if possessed, while Joel and Hooper are going to run out of webspace at the rate they keep posting Fanshots.

Meanwhile, I’m just wondering what it could be like to have a head coach only one year older than me?

– Go Figure …

Contributions and Leads Courtesy of: Rocky Top Talk

Images Courtesy of: SI.com • SmashSouthSports.com