Cynical

Maybe, but I would not bet on it. After Phil was introduced as the AD, one Volnation member posted "They just handed the keys to the guy who drove the program into the ditch to begin with". Football is all about what have done for me lately, and Phil's record his last 4 years is not something to brag about. 2 seasons under .500, and 1 season with double digit wins.

Haslam is despised by most UT fans. The fans blame Haslam for the AD Currie and for the coaches Dooley and Jones being hired. You would think Phat Phil being given the AD job would unite the UT fan base given his success. It hasn't. It's about a 50/50 split based on the latest poll on Volnation. And the latest on the Ut coaching search: https://www.seccountry.com/tennessee/kevin-steele-football-candidate-tennessee-vols Looks like Phil had the list down to about 5 choices: Clemson DC Venables, Auburn DC Steele, Georgia DC Tucker, Bama DC Pruitt, and SMU HC Morris. He can cross off Morris as it appears he is going to Arky.

It appears Chad Morris is the choice for the next HC at Arky. https://www.seccountry.com/arkansas/internet-reaction-chad-morris-hired-new-razorbacks-head-coach

Saw this on a Bama board. Pretty much sums up the TN coaching search.

Yeah, Florida is just a big black hole of talent. Saban has already been recruiting against Jimbo. What makes you think it will now be different?

OUCH! https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/tennessee-is-a-bright-orange-glowing-tire-fire-and-theres-no-end-in-sight/ Screw the popcorn, I'm getting out the marshmallows.

It appears Fat Phil got his wish. He's been named AD. http://utsports.com/news/2017/12/1/football-phillip-fulmer-appointed-to-lead-tennessee-athletics.aspx

No shortage of drama today. https://www.tomahawknation.com/2017/12/1/16723758/jimbo-fisher-florida-state-transfer-texas-am

First, define "beat". Right now Gus is 2-3 vs Bama and 2-3 vs UGA. That will not suffice in Auburn land. Winning these 2 games on consistent basis is a must for the AU coach. If Auburn can't beat UGA in the SECCG, things will get dicey at AU. The AU athletic dept is in turmoil with scandals rocking the mens BB and womens SB programs, and Jay Jacobs stepping down. Rumors are swirling the womens BB could also be in trouble. Not to mention Gus lost a power struggle at the end of last season. I could see him bolt if AU loses to UGA.

Is this the next SEC dumpster fire? https://www.seccountry.com/arkansas/report-arkansas-two-coaching-search-groups-one-still-targeting-auburns-gus-malzahn

Not really shocking, but interesting the NCAA came back added more to the original penalties. The NCAA added in show cause penalties for former coaches. The one assistant coach has an 8 year show cause. That will kill a coaching career. Well, unless he's willing to coach at Auburn. They have no problem hiring those kind of coaches.

Yeah, I read the same article regarding Leach hiring the PI. He even started his own hashtag, IIRC. That endeavor will probably end up like his lawsuit - nowhere. Leach is his own worst enemy. His nuttiness will continue to limit his advancement opportunities. Despite his "brilliance", he's too stupid to realize it. If true, I wonder if Currie figured it out, and knew his days were numbered, and that's why he went after Leach. Force UT into another Schiano situation as a big ole f*** you on the way out.

NCAA slaps Ole Miss with penalties https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2017/12/1/16512428/ole-miss-ncaa-sanctions-penalties-investigation

Fat Phil strikes again. if there is one thing Fulmer is good at is stabbing people in the back. Apparently the word is the reason UT officials did not want to Hire Leach is because he sued Texas Tech. I knew at some point that lawsuit would come back to haunt Leach.

Apparently, no Leach. Jesus, what a dumpster fire UTenn has become. https://twitter.com/TheVOLColonel/status/936609550668632064

This just keeps getting better by the moment. A more legit source: http://1057news.com/2017/12/01/john-currie-fired-as-ut-athletic-director/

Herm Edwards. Hasn't coached in almost 10 years. Never coached at the collegiate level. This will turn out fabulously.

Kiffin wasn't fired. He left after one season to take the HC at USC, where he failed at IIRC. Also, within that year, the NCAA came sniffing around for possible recruiting violations.

Have to wonder who Josh's sources are: http://uproxx.com/prowrestling/wwe-kane-les-miles-tennessee-volunteers-coach/

UT can't get a coach to save their life. Even Cutcliffe turned them down: http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/21591832/david-cutcliffe-duke-told-tennessee-not-interested-vols-head-coaching-vacancy

Not really. Auburn struggled badly for the first part of the season. They struggled out a win against Mercer, and blew 20-0 lead against LSU with really baffling play calling on offense. In the second half of the LSU game, Auburn ran the ball 17 straight times on first down. IIRC, Johnson was banged up in the beginning of the year. Pure speculation on my part, after the LSU game, Gus finally gave up the play calling to his OC.

Why is this needed?

Making sure the coast is clear for the Gus Bus to arrive.

Sweet Jeebus ... https://247sports.com/college/alabama/Bolt/Alabama-Crimson-Tide-Football-Nick-Saban-gives-injury-updates-on-linebackers-Fitzpatrick-Pappanastos-110917657 If Wilson, Miller, and Lewis can play, even in a limited role, I will feel a hell of a lot better going up against the Barn.