A sad day to be a Vol

Yesterday as I stood inside of Dick's Sporting Goods, I wasn't the only one watching in awe of the television. As Phil Fulmer sat down at the podium to give his resignation, I wasn't the only one emotional watching this in Dicks. There were a number of individuals that stopped what they were doing just to watch one of the most emotional press conference's i've seen in my day. At one point a gentleman asked someone in the shoe department for a shoe in his size. The employee looked at him and kindly said "sir, if you don't mind, i'd like to watch this first and then i'll help you out".

That is just what something like this does to fans. Whether or not you like Phil Fulmer, he will go down as a legend at The University of Tennessee. He'll finish his career at UT with over 150 wins, a national title, numerous SEC titles, and he will be a hall of fame coach. But as sad as it was to see him go, it was necessary. Could they have done this at year end, yes, but with the way the landscape of college football has become, this was a business decision that had to be made. His record over recent years against the rivals in the SEC has dwindled as well as his losing record against ranked teams helped Mike Hamilton make this decision. But nothing made it easier as to see the enormous amount of Alabama fans in attendance for the UT vs. Bama game. This told Mike Hamilton and the University that they didn't care to come and spend their money on the program so long as the man in charge was still there. But that's how it goes when you are paid millions of dollars to do a job. People expect results.

As for me, I felt for the man. But deep down, i'll always remember the only time I got to meet Coach Fulmer. It was after a workout session in the indoor facility. I had finished up my baseball career at UT and was rehabbing my arm to get back into the game. After my workout I went to visit my roommate who worked with Coach Fulmer in the Football office. While up there Coach came walking in. It was just me and my roommate there 10 feet before he walked into his office. Cordially my roommate said "Hey Coach, this is my roommate, Logan Brummitt, he played baseball here at UT". As I stood to shake his hand, I said "Coach, it's a pleasure to meet you sir". Coach Fulmer's reply was a shake of my hand, not a word and walked right by me. Not a hi, hello, how are you doing or even a kiss my ass. So deep down, I have little sympathy for someone who couldn't even muster up a hello as we shook hands.

As he walked away, my roommate looked at me and immediately apologized. His words, and I'll never forget this, were "dude, i'm sorry. If I would've told him you just gave us money or were a recruit, he would have shook you off, but that's how he really is"....

So coach, thank you for all of your years, your memory's and your victories. I will say i'm all Vol and I will miss you. But personally, I don't really care.

GO VOLS!