Tennessee fans were in an uproar when Phillip Fulmer was fired (or quit, depending on who you ask). Now, the former head football coach is talking about returning to college ball by the start of the 2010 season. And he isn’t just going to accept any old job. According to Fulmer, he’s looking for team in a conference where he can compete on a national level.
“I have a great picture in mind. Somebody that’s committed to winning championships and being the best that they can be, with a chance to compete in a conference that’s nationally recognized. I’m not going …read more

Lane Kiffin is doing a great job at Tennessee, at least, in regards to national press. Not everything he’s said has been kosher, though, and he’s actually been forced to apologize to other schools because of things he’s said. The school’s athletic director, Mike Hamilton, seems to believe that the new coach is misunderstood, however.
“I have found him to be different from the media persona that was painted of him, stemming from those original February comments,” Hamilton said. “He’s not as cavalier as the media painted him to be.”
The comments in February that are in question were about Florida’s recruiting …read more

When Lane Kiffin was brought in to coach the Tennessee Volunteers after the resignation firing of beloved Phillip Fulmer after a dismal 2008 season. While many hope that Kiffin will bring the spark back to the Vols, others aren’t happy with the new coaching choice. To date, 11 players are leaving Tennessee to play at other schools.
That number isn’t HUGE, considering that there’s usually a mass exodus when a school brings in a new coach. What really hurts, though, is that Kiffin is losing some huge assets to the Tennessee team. He’s also gone on record as saying that he …read more

Remember when “upset” and “Kentucky” usually meant some unranked slob getting one of those rare wins against the Wildcats.
Man how times have changed.
I’m perusing the sports page this morning and see that the Wildcats were involved in an upset last night. Only they were the unranked slobs pulling off the upset against No. 24 Tennessee 92-72 at Knoxville.
Tennessee? Men’s basketball? Being upset? This is supposed to be a football school.
Coach Bruce Pearl has done a great job in turning the Volunteers (10-4) into one of the top teams in the Southeast Conference and the nation. Last season after a …read more

Tennessee Coach Bruce Pearl has accepted an extension that is supposed to keep him with the Volunteers until 2014.
Pearl is another very good if not great coach who got the raise and promotion he deserves. He led his team to the number one ranking last season (although it lasted as long as it did to write this post). Tennessee won the South Eastern Conference and reached the regional semifinals. The Tennessee men’s program still has a long way to go, but it is starting to come out of the shadows of its better-known women’s program.
I hate beating a dead horse, …read more

If anybody has Tennessee going to the Final Four, you may want to stop reading right now.
The Vols disclosed that leading scorer Chris Lofton has a minor leg injury but should be able to play against Louisville on Thursday.
There is bad timing, and then there is having your leading scorer injured during the NCAA tournament.
Tennessee needs Lofton at 100% if they are to advance in the tournament, and even a full-strength Lofton may not be enough to push them past red-hot Louisville.
If Louisville head coach Rick Pitino is smart, he’ll have his guards put a ton of pressure on Lofton …read more

We are now officially in March, which means that the Madness is just around the corner. Teams that are hoping to get into the NCAA tournament cannot afford any more slip-ups, while some teams on the bubble are hoping to solidify their case before the tournament committee.
Here are some great games to check out this week:
Tonight: #4 Tennessee at Florida – many analysts believe the two-time defending champion Gators are on the NCAA tournament bubble. A win over the Vols would all but guarantee Florida a spot in the Big Dance.
Thursday March 6th: #7 Stanford at #2 UCLA – …read more

No matter what sports you follow, you should always want to see the best teams and/or players competing against one another. #1 vs. #2.
It appears that college basketball fans are going to get their wish, as long as Tulane and Auburn don’t spoil the party tonight.
#1 Memphis versus #2 Tennessee on Saturday headlines the must-see games this week in college basketball:
Tonight: #3 North Carolina at North Carolina State – it is always a war when these two in-state rivals hook up on the basketball court.
Saturday February 23rd – #2 Tennessee at #1 Memphis – Memphis nearly lost to UAB …read more