collegefootballandnascar

Maybe people weren’t that stunned whenever the University of Tennessee ‘forced’ the ‘retirement’ of Phil Fulmer. Granted, Fulmer has been the tale of two halves in his 17 years at Tennessee…

Between 1992 and 1998 Fulmer won nearly 86 percent of his games [67-11] and brought home 2 SEC championships and one national championship in 1998.

After that championship season [1999-2008] Fulmer has only won 68 % of his games, with a record of 83-40. The big goose egg in that span is in the SEC championships. Although his Volunteers reached the championship game 3 times they went 0-for-none.

Just recently, it was announced that Auburn’s Tommy Tuberville would not return for his 11th season.

This was more of a shocker — though it has been rumored since early last season.

Tuberville spent 10 seasons leading the Tigers and although he won 0 national championships, deserved to at least play for it in 2004 when his Tigers went 13-0, capping with a16-13 win in the Sugar Bowl against Virginia Tech.

Unfortunately, the short-leash Tuberville was on at Auburn tightened even more after a dismal 5-7 season this year including a beatdown against BAMA in the season finale. Tuberville is adament that the call was, “completely his decision,” according to an ESPN report.

The report goes on to say that Tuberville will receive $5.1 million as part of his buy-out, even though he voluntarily stepped down.

The bad news for Auburn supporters is that since Tuberville announced his departure, at least 5 of 26 recruits have withdrawn their verbal commitments, ESPN reports.

Commitments don’t want to come into a new coaching mess. Look at what Rich Rodriguez has been able to do at Michigan this season — nothing… Having the school’s worst record at 3-9 and ending a 33-season bowl streak.

Granted, Rodriguez runs an option-style offense and didn’t have the players he needed to make it work this season and should have the offense rolling as his newest recruiting class begins to enroll.

If you want to see a coach who is probably hanging on a thread — mainly because of the recruits, look at Charlie Weis at Notre Dame. Weis has barely managed to make the Fighting Irish bowl eligible this season with continuous top-10 recruiting classes.

Weis finished his 4th season and MUST make something happen next year if he hopes to return for a 6th.

One thing keeping Weis on the sidelines is probably his buyout. A number has never been formally announced, but is rumored to be up near $10 million.

Notre Dame by all means has the money available to buy-out Weis, but may be waiting to see if they can have another coach lined up and committed before they pay the big bucks to get rid of him… Rumors are that Notre Dame is pushing hard to get Florida’s Head Coach Urban Meyer.

Meyer was an assistant at Notre Dame previously and has a clause in his contract that says Florida is not required to pay him any money if he leaves for Notre Dame — according to ESPN.

Meyer has done an amazing job at Florida after leading his Utah Utes to a BCS win, he has already won a national championship at Florida and could be headed towards a second in 3 years if his Gators can topple the Tide on Saturday.

A third big coach leave the SEC in 2 years? Don’t think it won’t happen. With the money Notre Dame can throw at Meyer, not to mention the exclusive TV deal and national recruiting base the school has, anything is possible…

B-Blog

Trackback URI | Comments RSS