Question from an LSU fan to Tennessee fans - Fulmer/Miles

That's actually a good question.

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I see a lot of similarities between Miles and Fulmer.

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lulz

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Do you feel that Fulmer should have remained the coach?

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No

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Do you feel that Fulmer was let go at the right time and the downturn taken by the Vols was just due to bad hiring?

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No just bad hiring... but terrible no good dirty hiring

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Do you feel that Tennessee waited too long to let go of Fulmer due to an outdated philosophy and coaching style? If so, why do you feel that this contributed significantly towards the Volunteers fall from grace?

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No... There was a dropoff in recruiting... that's on the Head Man. He made bad hires to replace Cutcliffe both times (Sanders and Clawson). Defense was always good to elite. Schemes on offense were ok. Just a lack of talent and organization.

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I ask these questions with nothing but the greatest respect for the Tennessee program. As you can tell, LSU is having very similar problems currently.

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Your problems are not the same. We had a massive talent dropoff. You have a bubble created my early departures but have the #1 or 2 recruiting class as Freshmen. LSU's problem is that the SEC West is the best it's ever been in the down year. Tennessee still almost won the conference in 2007, because it wasn't as good.

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How do you feel that LSU should handle Les Miles based on your memory of the Fulmer ordeal?

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Let him fix his O-Line hire. Build on recruiting classes. Watch Ole Miss and Miss St dropoff next season and move back into the mix.

Honestly, the comparison is lazy.

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Do you feel that Fulmer should have remained the coach?

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This question is complicated in hindsight. I believed then it was time for Fulmer to go in 2008. I'm not sure I would say that knowing how badly the next few hires would be bungled, but that's less a reflection on my feelings about Fulmer and more a reflection on the absolute failure of the UT administration to suitably replace him. It WAS time for him to go; it's just unfortunate that we had such inept leadership in the athletic department.

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Do you feel that Fulmer was let go at the right time and the downturn taken by the Vols was just due to bad hiring?

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More or less. Kiffin leaving after a year combined with the attrition of his lone class was devastating enough, and the hiring of Derek Dooley speaks for itself. We'll see about Butch Jones, but right now he appears to be a lot like Dooley, the main differences being that he is a far superior recruiter and that he talks about bricks rather than bamboo.

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Do you feel that Tennessee waited too long to let go of Fulmer due to an outdated philosophy and coaching style? If so, why do you feel that this contributed significantly towards the Volunteers fall from grace?

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Kind of. A lot of people wanted him gone after 2005, but his national title win in 1998 combined with return trips to Atlanta (if in losing efforts) in 2001 and 2004 had probably earned him the opportunity to make it right. Having said that, it was clear that without Cutcliffe things were slipping in a big way. We got a band-aid on that with him back in 2006 and 2007, but once he left for Duke it was all over.

Fulmer was loyal to a fault to his staff and could be stubborn in his refusal to adapt. As a result, others continued to pass him by while he was content to rest on his laurels. This would lead, in 2008, to depletion in significant areas of need that would lay the groundwork for that season's collapse and ultimately where we are today.

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As you can tell, LSU is having very similar problems currently.

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Arguable. LSU is having a bad season this year, but what was their worst year in recent memory other than this one? 2008 maybe, when they finished 8-5. LSU's national profile is still much higher and they have a lot of talent. Tennessee pulled the plug in 2008 partially in response to 2005. 2 bad seasons in 4 years was simply unacceptable -- it seems like that would be just peachy right now, but there were clear indications that the program was headed in the wrong direction which is why Phil was let go.

I've said before and I'll say again that I think Miles is a great coach. He has shown a willingness to adjust -- he fired Malleveto when that experiment fell apart and went out and got John Chavis. I know LSU fans have mixed feelings about him, as did we Tennessee fans, but there's no doubt that he has engineered some great defenses at LSU. Maybe not THIS year, but that 2011 team, for all the bad feelings the BCS title loss engendered, is still one of my favorite SEC teams ever because of its absolutely smothering defense. It was really a sight to behold.

The same has been true on the offensive side of the ball. Hiring Cameron was a smart move. LSU is struggling this year, but they've got some talent deficiencies right now, too, and while they MAY trend downward, I'm not sure you can make that judgment this year at this moment.

You all are not in the position we were in 2008. Not yet. But all I'm going to say is be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it.

I would not wish what we've been through the last seven years on any program -- not Alabama, not Florida...no one. It sucks REALLY BAD. Just tread cautiously.

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I really wish you guys the best and cheer for you when not cheering for the Tigers. Good luck to the Vols. Y'all will be back on the mountain top soon

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aww shucks, thanks buddy

Wow. I have to thank the Vol fans for the attempt at giving the rantards some pperspective here.

Our own fans will be here soon enough to shite all over all of you and our coach and tell you why you are wrong.

Viya con dios.

Miles and Fulmer are very similiar IMO. Good program managers who rely on their staff to win. Great recruiters.

If Miles is comfortable and the stafff doesn't stay together, watch out.

Tennessee should have done more to keep Cutcliffe from leaving. Both times. And there would have been no decline.

Then our idiot AD, fires Fulmer as part of a knee jerk reaction to a Wyoming loss and has no idea how he is going to fill the posiition.

FWIW, I was done with Fulmer after the 2001 SECCG.

Just remember, you could end up with another DiNardo if you have an idiot AD.