Davis is leading candidate to replace Fulmer

[Bomis Hawg]

I have no problem with Knoxville.

I agree with the masses that Butch is at his last job.  Brian Kelly would have Tennessee in the SEC Title Game in 3 years. 

[ALLVOL]

I dont know if we get Butch or not but there is something going on. Either he is using UT to get more from UNC or he is interested. This story has teeth. I dont which one it is but there is something. He may want facility upgrades etc... but there is something.

[fu-man-soo]

I dont know if we get Butch or not but there is something going on. Either he is using UT to get more from UNC or he is interested. This story has teeth. I dont which one it is but there is something. He may want facility upgrades etc... but there is something.

http://louisianastate.scout.com/a.z?s=107&p=2&c=810208

[ALLVOL]

http://louisianastate.scout.com/a.z?s=107&p=2&c=810208

I dont have a subscription. What does it say?

[LuckyGiraffe]

I think you will see Tim Brewster being named the new head coach at UT shortly after November 22nd.

Very good coach; worse school, worse conference, worse paycheck, and worse facilities.

[Feralhog]

I dont know if we get Butch or not but there is something going on. Either he is using UT to get more from UNC or he is interested. This story has teeth. I dont which one it is but there is something. He may want facility upgrades etc... but there is something.

Exactly why should we believe the story has teef? 

[ALLVOL]

Exactly why should we believe the story has teef? 

The sources Im hearing it from. Like I said he may very well be using UT to get more from UNC money, facilities etc...

[dsewell70]

Only way Knoxville and Fayetteville are comparable is that they each are surrounded by mountains. As far as what's available to do in town, what and who comes to town for concerts and whatnot, Fayetteville doesn't compare to Knoxville. Now if your'e comparing the living areas, Fayetteville may indeed have it beat.

[dsewell70]

but if he's looking at things other than cash, Davis would be wise to stay in Chapel Hill

[The Hog]

Gruden blog for what it is worth: http://blogs.tampabay.com/bucs/

Davis take by AD: http://blogs.newsobserver.com/accnow/unc-ad-davis-is-committed

It looks like neither for UT but the final chapter is not written.

[PigTimePlayer]

The local radio guys in Nashville seem to think that Brian Kelly is the leader, but that's just what I heard them say on the radio.  They had a guest who was supposed to be an insider, you know how the radio shows go.  Didn't think that they would go with an NFL coach (Gruden) or a coordinator (Muschamp).  They are saying that the TN AD wants to go the route that they took when they hired Pearl from Milwaukee-Wisconsin.  Brian Kelly fits the bill.

[Feralhog]

The sources Im hearing it from. Like I said he may very well be using UT to get more from UNC money, facilities etc...

What exactly is being said that makes you believe Davis has responded to UT's wooing?  I'm not sure about your source, but I damn well know there's plenty of solid sources on this end and if they confirmed what your guy claims is going down on BD's end, then you might have sumfin. 

[razorback3072]

The sources Im hearing it from. Like I said he may very well be using UT to get more from UNC money, facilities etc...

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3682303

and before anything is said about coaches saying this and then taking the job later, BD has a lot of ties to AR and a lot of people swore he was the next coach after Nutt left.  Even after BD came out and said he wasn't interested people were still swearing he was the next coach here.  He is not leaving UNC.  At least not now.

[The Hog]

Our situation with Petrino is entirely different from the Vols.  Petrino was immediately available.  Kiffin would fit this bill.  Gruden, Davis, Kelley, Muschamp, Leach, etc. are involved with teams who's season are in a position to make a bowl game and with Gruden and Marrone, NFL playoffs.  There will not be any word from these guys during their season.  The earliest would be immediately after the season is over.  Then you will see if any are eager to be a Tennessee coach.  At this time they will deny all reports to keep their team heading in the right direction.  Get in a Bowl game or make the playoffs.

[Hogjammin]

I would love for them to hire Kiffin.  We could look forward to a lot more mediocre years from Tennessee.  That guy is flat out a terrible coach.  I almost died when I thought Arkansas was going to hire him.

[havok]

One has to figure... at North Carolina... Football is an Afterthought/secondary.  Basketball is what is the Main Dish there...and maybe Davis wants to go where he is front and center, where football is the main game in town.

[smoked hog]

For our sake I hope its Kiffin, I do not want to see Brian Kelly in the SEC.

[ALLVOL]

What exactly is being said that makes you believe Davis has responded to UT's wooing?  I'm not sure about your source, but I damn well know there's plenty of solid sources on this end and if they confirmed what your guy claims is going down on BD's end, then you might have sumfin. 

I didnt say Davis IS coming to UT. But there is little doubt there is talk. Atleast between the firm UT hired and BD agent. Like I said he may just want to get more money from UNC or better facilities etc... But there is talk. I am sure of that.

[Feralhog]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3682303

and before anything is said about coaches saying this and then taking the job later, BD has a lot of ties to AR and a lot of people swore he was the next coach after Nutt left.  Even after BD came out and said he wasn't interested people were still swearing he was the next coach here.  He is not leaving UNC.  At least not now.

It's because those people knew the kind of money we were throwing his way.  Hell, half the Internets in NC were predicting BD's departure, and most understood if Butch wanted to return to his Alma Mater.  Butch told us NC would be his last gig.  Sounds like he still feels that way.

[Feralhog]

One has to figure... at North Carolina... Football is an Afterthought/secondary.  Basketball is what is the Main Dish there...and maybe Davis wants to go where he is front and center, where football is the main game in town.

N. Carolina is capable of pulling for more than one sport.  BB can't compete with the revenue that of a successful football program, so BD will weld plenty of power.  The fact that N. Carol is in a WEAK but respected BCS conference, the road to the championship would no doubt be potentially easier than UT.

Bottom line, even if everything I said was wrong, there's reasons BD will remain loyal to N. Carol, money or the limelight isn't very high on Davis' list of importance at this stage in his life.

But you frikers keep dreaming   

[Feralhog]

I didnt say Davis IS coming to UT. But there is little doubt there is talk. Atleast between the firm UT hired and BD agent. Like I said he may just want to get more money from UNC or better facilities etc... But there is talk. I am sure of that.

I didn't say you said BD was coming, I said give us more information surrounding the kind of things BD has done to send the signal that he's responding to UT's wooing.


Sounds like one of those, depends on what is, is.

Do Talks Mean- One side contacting the other and the other saying, I'm not interested?  Or Do talks mean- Actual negotiations taking place?

[ALLVOL]

I didn't say you said BD was coming, I said give us more information surrounding the kind of things BD has done to send the signal that he's responding to UT's wooing.


Sounds like one of those, depends on what is, is.

Do Talks Mean- One side contacting the other and the other saying, I'm not interested?  Or Do talks mean- Actual negotiations taking place?

I dont care what you call it. But there is NO DOUBT his agent has had or is having discussions with the search firm UT hired. Like I said it could be to better things in NC but there are talks.

[Feralhog]

I dont care what you call it. But there is NO DOUBT his agent has had or is having discussions with the search firm UT hired. Like I said it could be to better things in NC but there are talks.

I have news for ya, an agent doing his job isn't talks dude.  Now, if your guy is claiming that BD initiated the talks, you might have sumfin, but to be honest, I'd have my doubts about the reliability of your source.   I know a little about Butch's situation in NC, and I would be very surprised, change that, I would be shocked if BD initiated contact or was exploiting the situation to milk money from N. Carolina.   

[longtimeHogfan]

If he was going to leave at all I think he would have come here last year. 

At one point, during the firestorm that was TCTWF, TCTWF was still here.  Thus, no opening for Davis.  Then, when there was an opening, Davis was in his first season at NC.  Not a good time to change directions. 

It was bad timing for Davis and us, or things might have been different.  I'm more than happy with the way things turned out.  The thought of Davis at UT should have the rest of the SEC catching their collective breaths. 

[Feralhog]

At one point, during the firestorm that was TCTWF, TCTWF was still here.  Thus, no opening for Davis.  Then, when there was an opening, Davis was in his first season at NC.  Not a good time to change directions. 

It was bad timing for Davis and us, or things might have been different.  I'm more than happy with the way things turned out.  The thought of Davis at UT should have the rest of the SEC catching their collective breaths. 

There's a loyalty Butch has with the admins at NC that goes beyond money

[ALLVOL]

I have news for ya, an agent doing his job isn't talks dude.  Now, if your guy is claiming that BD initiated the talks, you might have sumfin, but to be honest, I'd have my doubts about the reliability of your source.   I know a little about Butch's situation in NC, and I would be very surprised, change that, I would be shocked if BD initiated contact or was exploiting the situation to milk money from N. Carolina.  

I didnt say Butch did. I said there are/were talks. I do know that.

[ALLVOL]

Lets not forget either that this is a JOB. Coach after coach has said they were not going to leave here or there and they do. For instance Butch had said that he had NO interest in leaving Miami and was working on contract negotiations with Miami while turning down Alabama and the Houston Texans. He had said leaving Miami would make him feel like a dead beat dad for leaving his kids because they were truly a family. He later left for Cleveland. That doesnt make him a bad guy it makes him a business man. Will he come to UT? I and no one else knows. If he does I will be very happy if he doesnt then I have no ill will towards him or any other coach. I understand it is a business and people need to do what is best for them and their family.

[DeltaBoy]

Brain Kelly will wind up at UT and the rest of the East will Weep.

[Hoggish1]

Just posing a question, but do you think we are SEC arrogant to some extent? What I mean is that we believe that Davis will bolt Chapel Hill or Leach will leave Lubbock for Knoxville. Both have built their respective programs into nationally ranked winners. Leach has the fertile recruiting grounds of Texas and Davis seems to have no problem getting kids to become Tar Heels.

I also think about Tenner being a better job, but even if it is these guys have built something and established themselves and their families. With Petrino we hit upon the perfect storm. He was a great coach in a bad situation. His family hated where they were. These guys don't seem to be in that situation and Tenner surely cannot pay that much more than Tech or UNC. What do you guys think?

You are kidding right?  Tenn can out pay those two schools combined and not even notice the outlay.

The real question will be do either one of those guys want to change jobs? 

[Hoggish1]

Only way Knoxville and Fayetteville are comparable is that they each are surrounded by mountains. As far as what's available to do in town, what and who comes to town for concerts and whatnot, Fayetteville doesn't compare to Knoxville. Now if your'e comparing the living areas, Fayetteville may indeed have it beat.

Can't agree.  Fayetteville is in a better recruiting location, believe it or not. 

It is also becoming a financial center and has loads of $ that is untapped.

Knoxville is OK but not as attractive in today's SEC as it once was.

[Hoggish1]

I dont care what you call it. But there is NO DOUBT his agent has had or is having discussions with the search firm UT hired. Like I said it could be to better things in NC but there are talks.

Talks = money.  Didn't we see that last year with our search. 

BD has everything in his favor minus the pressure.  At his age and with his medical situation, those are important considerations. 

Start getting ready for someone completely off the current radar, or Kelly.  You could do lots worse.

[Hoggish1]

Lets not forget either that this is a JOB. Coach after coach has said they were not going to leave here or there and they do. For instance Butch had said that he had NO interest in leaving Miami and was working on contract negotiations with Miami while turning down Alabama and the Houston Texans. He had said leaving Miami would make him feel like a dead beat dad for leaving his kids because they were truly a family. He later left for Cleveland. That doesnt make him a bad guy it makes him a business man. Will he come to UT? I and no one else knows. If he does I will be very happy if he doesnt then I have no ill will towards him or any other coach. I understand it is a business and people need to do what is best for them and their family.

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since that move to Cleve.  He was younger and the lure of the NFL has bitten many a coach to only see them regret the move.

If Butch didn't come here, he ain't going to TN.

Stop thinking about it because it isn't happening.  Kelly is you're man.  He will not be at Cincy hext year.  The only question is will he take TN over a lot of great offers minus the pressure of trying to make it happen in a div. with FL, GA and a rising KY, USC and Vandy?

[ALLVOL]

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since that move to Cleve.  He was younger and the lure of the NFL has bitten many a coach to only see them regret the move.

If Butch didn't come here, he ain't going to TN.

Stop thinking about it because it isn't happening.  Kelly is you're man.  He will not be at Cincy hext year.  The only question is will he take TN over a lot of great offers minus the pressure of trying to make it happen in a div. with FL, GA and a rising KY, USC and Vandy?

I dont know if it will be Kelly or not. But I dont want any coach that even remotely thinks the job would be to difficult. I cant imagine a coach that would turn down a job because its to tough. Those kinds of coaches dont last long. Every coach that is worth his salt thinks that they can out coach anyone, anywhere and anytime. Coaches are among if not the most competitive people on earth. Being in the SEC is more of a lure than a distraction to most coaches.

[Feralhog]

Lets not forget either that this is a JOB. Coach after coach has said they were not going to leave here or there and they do. For instance Butch had said that he had NO interest in leaving Miami and was working on contract negotiations with Miami while turning down Alabama and the Houston Texans. He had said leaving Miami would make him feel like a dead beat dad for leaving his kids because they were truly a family. He later left for Cleveland. That doesnt make him a bad guy it makes him a business man. Will he come to UT? I and no one else knows. If he does I will be very happy if he doesnt then I have no ill will towards him or any other coach. I understand it is a business and people need to do what is best for them and their family.

Sometimes the money can get so sick, not accepting would be irresponsible to the man's family.  Knoxville isn't a bad place at all to live so it's not like that would be a determent.  My point is, it's my understanding that money isn't an issue with Davis.  It's also my understanding that Butch's reasons for staying at North Carolina go beyond football.  The talks your referencing appear to be weighted heavily to one side.  There's still a lot of time before UT will likely announce their man, and anythings possible, but claiming Davis is the leading candidate to replace Fulmer is, at best, premature, and imo highly unlikely.  But hey, this post and dollar will buy you a share of GM stock.

[PigTimePlayer]

David Climer, columnist for the Tennessean, said on the radio this afternoon that the job is Butch Davis's to turn down.  He said if Butch wants it, it's his.  Does Butch want it or not is the question. 

There was also an article in the paper today concerning some of their recruits who are reconsidering

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20081111/SPORTS0601/811110346/1002/SPORTS

[ALLVOL]

Sometimes the money can get so sick, not accepting would be irresponsible to the man's family.  Knoxville isn't a bad place at all to live so it's not like that would be a determent.  My point is, it's my understanding that money isn't an issue with Davis.  It's also my understanding that Butch's reasons for staying at North Carolina go beyond football.  The talks your referencing appear to be weighted heavily to one side.  There's still a lot of time before UT will likely announce their man, and anythings possible, but claiming Davis is the leading candidate to replace Fulmer is, at best, premature, and imo highly unlikely.  But hey, this post and dollar will buy you a share of GM stock.

Thats fair. I do think UT is after him not the other way.

[ALLVOL]

David Climer, columnist for the Tennessean, said on the radio this afternoon that the job is Butch Davis's to turn down.  He said if Butch wants it, it's his.  Does Butch want it or not is the question. 

There was also an article in the paper today concerning some of their recruits who are reconsidering

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20081111/SPORTS0601/811110346/1002/SPORTS

That is to be expected. I just hope we dont lose many. The sooner we get a coach the better.

[PigTimePlayer]

That is to be expected. I just hope we dont lose many. The sooner we get a coach the better.

Long time til signing day.  I expect UT to hire a great coach - Butch or whoever - and there will be plenty of time for the recruits to stay committed

[ALLVOL]

Long time til signing day.  I expect UT to hire a great coach - Butch or whoever - and there will be plenty of time for the recruits to stay committed

I sure hope you are right.

[Kenny Dowell Loggains]

That would be huge for Butch... but will he really go there???  he makes 1.7mil a year (comparable to a mid SEC salary) and all he probably has to do to retain that amount is get UNC 7 and 8 win seasons... or consistent bowl bids.  Tenn is going to have to shell out some serious cash, which they will.

[Feralhog]

That would be huge for Butch... but will he really go there???  he makes 1.7mil a year (comparable to a mid SEC salary) and all he probably has to do to retain that amount is get UNC 7 and 8 win seasons... or consistent bowl bids.  Tenn is going to have to shell out some serious cash, which they will.

Tennessee isn't a situation where all the new guy needs to do is waive a magic wand and pooof.  They're back among the East elites.  There are some very real obstacles facing UT football, regardless of what some of their fans believe.   The right guy could get 'em out in a couple, maybe three years, but it won't be easy.   

[ALLVOL]

Tennessee isn't a situation where all the new guy needs to do is waive a magic wand and pooof.  They're back among the East elites.  There are some very real obstacles facing UT football, regardless of what some of their fans believe.   The right guy could get 'em out in a couple, maybe three years, but it won't be easy.  

There is not an empty cupboard at UT for the next coach. Fulmer will leave UT in MUCH better shape than many coaches leave their schools when fired.

[Feralhog]

There is not an empty cupboard at UT for the next coach. Fulmer will leave UT in MUCH better shape than many coaches leave their schools when fired.

I think we went over this in another thread.  Being loaded on paper doesn't necessarily equate to being loaded. Granted the cupboard isn't as bare as what Nutt left us, but the talent level, pretty much across the board, isn't what it was five years ago.  I think there's several examples, but the most glaring is UCLA kicking your ass, I don't care how bad a coach Fulmer is.  If your talent level was decent, you guys would have won.

[The Hog]

I think we went over this in another thread.  Being loaded on paper doesn't necessarily equate to being loaded. Granted the cupboard isn't as bare as what Nutt left us, but the talent level, pretty much across the board, isn't what it was five years ago.  I think there's several examples, but the most glaring is UCLA kicking your ass, I don't care how bad a coach Fulmer is.  If your talent level was decent, you guys would have won.

It looks like talent may be the only thing keeping Tennessee in games.  This late in the season and the offense is absolutely terrible from the few games I have watched.  The defense is pretty good but they cannot stay on the field most of the time and expect to score for the offense.  Looking over their roster their defense will be solid next year.

[El Puerco]

There is not an empty cupboard at UT for the next coach. Fulmer will leave UT in MUCH better shape than many coaches leave their schools when fired.

Granted, you guys will be in much better shape than Nutt left us......but you guys are loaded "on paper" right now and you can't beat your way out of a wet paper bag.  Unless you hire Saban, you're going to get beat up for a few years.

[fu-man-soo]

http://tennessean.com/article/20081112/COLUMNIST0202/811120422/1002/SPORTS

[ALLVOL]

Granted, you guys will be in much better shape than Nutt left us......but you guys are loaded "on paper" right now and you can't beat your way out of a wet paper bag.  Unless you hire Saban, you're going to get beat up for a few years.

Saban is not the only good coach. And UT's defense is ranked higher than you may think. But the offense is so bad it is unnacceptable.

[opineonswine]

Butch, Gruden, Cutcliffe all say no to Vols.  No surprise.

[ALLVOL]

Butch, Gruden, Cutcliffe all say no to Vols.  No surprise.

Cut was NEVER asked and wont be. What do you expect a coach with a team still playing to say to a question from the media? Dont read that as thinking that Im saying we WILL get either Gruden or Butch. But you can read that as me saying we never have nor would we ask Cut.

[elksnort]

Tennessee will surely be very good again soon. Tennessee has tradition, in a great conference, and a huge stadium as their best selling points. Tennessee, like FSU, Miami and some others are not getting the players they were in the 1990s. Recruting is getting more difficult for them all the time.

Just because one knows the names of the players on one's team, does not mean that these players are very good or great. This has been discussed before on this site.

Tennessee is not as great as a job as many might think.