By Sam Pennington
SouthernPigskin.com

Follow us at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin.  Become a fan at the SouthernPigskin.com Facebook Page

There are a lot of names being mentioned in the Tennessee athletic director search. Searching the UT message boards one name draws a reaction.

The University of Tennessee is seeking its first Athletic Director since 2003. Last week, the Volunteers Athletic Director Mike Hamilton resigned days before the University stands before the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions in Indianapolis concerning possible violations. The UT athletic department is staring at 10 violations in basketball and two in football. Although Hamilton resigned, he will be acting Athletic Director for the school through June 30, 2011.

Over the past week, there have been several names that rumored to show interest in the AD position. Louisville AD Tom Jurich and Kentucky AD Mitch Barnhart are the latest AD’s to shoot down those rumors to say they do not have any interest the position.

There is one name that is buzzing all over the message boards and throughout the Volunteer Nation who has basically thrown himself into the mix for the job. The name: Phillip Fulmer.

Fulmer is a Tennessee guy. Always has been and always will be. He is from the state of Tennessee. Attended and played football at UT. Served 13 years on staff as an assistant coach under Johnny Majors before even being the named the 20th head football coach at Tennessee in 1992. During Fulmer’s head coaching career, the Vols went 152-52 with only two losing seasons. His final year, the Vols went 5-7 (3-5 SEC). Shortly after the 2008 season, Tennessee forced him out.

As I spent some time in and out of the message boards this week, I ran across a lot of mixed emotions regarding Fulmer and the thought of him being the next AD at the University of Tennessee.

Inside the boards this week, I checked out the buzz was on Fulmer as the potential candidate. Here are the Best of the Best viewpoints from the Kentucky, Alabama, and Tennessee message boards this week.

“I think Phil would be good, but what I think I’m hearing from everyone around me is the AD role somehow requires more talent than your football coach has. So my question is would you rather have your strongest asset coaching your football team or sitting behind a desk “overseeing” UT athletics? Just like you, not trying to offend anyone–and perhaps I’m not giving enough credit to the AD role. Insights welcome.”

User: InVols
Site: tennessee.247sports.com

“We all know that Fulmer is a candidate for Athletic Director. We also know that Hamilton was fired for making very poor coaching hires. That said, Hamilton’s replacement better be able to make good coaching hires. Can Fulmer?

David Clawson and Randy Sanders make me think that he can’t.

When Fulmer became head coach, he had John Chavis and David Cutcliffe by his side for years. When Cutcliffe split to become head coach of Ole Miss, Fulmer was forced to make his first major staffing hire. Who got the nod? None other than Randy Sanders. When Randy Sanders flopped, Fulmer had to make another major staffing hire. Who did Fulmer choose, David Clawson. After another OC turned out to be a failure, and our team stuggled, Fulmer was shown the door.
All due respect to Fulmer, but I seriously question his ability to make good or even adequate staffing hires. I also question his ability to run a $100 million business considering his has zero experience running an athletic department.

Fulmer is a great man and a terrific ambassador for our University. His love for Tennessee runs deep. While I appreciate his desire to help the University in any way possible, I think it would be a mistake to bring him in to be the next athletic director.”

User: GoVols876
Site: VolNation.com

“Hiring Fulmer as AD with Dooley as your head coach would be disastrous…like mixing oil and water. Surely the PTB in Knoxville aren’t that stupid…oh wait, they did hire Kiffen…so I guess they are.”

User: BamaDP
Site: TideFans.com

“I heard a rumor about this a year or so ago. He seems to have a lot of support within the school for the post and wants it. It would be hilarious just because he would be taking the place of the idiot that fired him. Even though I thought he deserved it, he wasn’t a very good coach IMO.”

User: Ripamaru
Site: CatsIllustrated.com

“I always thought he was a better CEO than football coach. Its not that he could not coach he was just too conservative to be legendary. Steve Spurrier shut the door on his hall of fame spot. Still he had a fantastic record. Because he is a home boy he is valuable only to UT, outside the state line forget it. This is not a bad thing.

He has the best resume of all the candidates for AD, frankly no one could match his knowledge of the UT athletic department even after 5 years on the job and there is no one more home grown (this can’t be manufactured). Still, I don’t think he will be considered for the position. Since Joe became president we have a new ballgame. The AD will be a low paid position reporting to and from the BOT, probably an accounting degree type with no sports experience. They have decided to use the TV money to relieve the pressure of putting asses in seats.”

User: ChinaVol
Site: VolTalk.com

Feel free to weigh in and let us know your thoughts if Fulmer should have a shot at the AD position.

Each week I’ll be checking out message boards and forums to see what fans are discussing. The hot topics that have us talking. You never know, your thoughts might make it into my column. Also, each week I’ll list the best posts I see in my message board travels.