Wiedmer: Tennessee: Hamilton should decide fate of Fulmer today, if not sooner

The question for today is this: What is University of Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton waiting for regarding football coach Phillip Fulmer's future?

A sweep of Wyoming, Vanderbilt and Kentucky?

Nick Saban to say he's available?

Mad scientists announcing they've cloned General Neyland?

After Saturday night's 27-6 humbling at South Carolina, the hay's in the barn on this season. Fulmer is out of opportunities to prove he has improved the 2008 Vols. Even if he wins out, so what? The program has lost one game total to Kentucky and Vanderbilt combined over the past 23 years. Winning out against the Cowboys, Commodores and Cats proves nothing.

Beyond that, the fans are out of patience. They've now seen the Vols lose five of six SEC games by 79 points. They've seen the offense become as exciting as a touchback. Given the economy, they probably hope UT misses a bowl for the second time in four years, if only to cement Fulmer's fate and save a few holiday dollars in the bargain.

Mostly, Hamilton could soon be out of hot prospects to replace Fulmer if he doesn't act swiftly. Let him drag this out as Auburn (doubtful), Clemson, Washington, Penn State (possible), Florida State (possible) and others begin wooing the Next Best Thing and UT could wind up with Texas El-Paso coach Mike Price rather than Texas Tech coach Mike Leach.

Remember how North Carolina snapped up Butch Davis a couple of years ago by axing John Bunting before the dew dried on Halloween pumpkins? He who hesitates can be quickly lost in the coaching search carousel.

Don't get me wrong. This isn't about whether or not Hamilton should keep Fulmer for a 17th season as the Big Orange boss. That's Hamilton's call.

Personally, I'd give Fulmer one more year. The school seems to be on the verge of a Top Five recruiting class. Offensive coordinator Dave Clawson — if he stays — has usually seen a marked improvement in his offenses from year one to year two. And since Eric Berry's stuck in the college game for one more year, the defense almost assuredly won't decline.

Besides, in a tough economy, showing some fiscal restraint should be appreciated by all but the most rabid and unrealistic Volniacs.

And if next year proves even close to as unsatisfactory as this one, even Fulmer would have a hard time intelligently pleading his case to remain.

So what is Hamilton doing? One theory suggests that he will wait until after this weekend's Homecoming game against Wyoming to can his coach, hopeful that a somewhat sparse crowd of 70,000 or so would cement an argument that the program attempting to complete a $200-plus million renovation of Neyland Stadium and other facilities can ill-afford such apathy.

But there is another argument for axing Fulmer now that may be just as tough for Hamilton to ignore. The Vols must travel to Florida next September. The Gators have won the last two meetings against UT by a combined 63 points. If that trend holds, Hamilton could spend most of next fall battling the same firestorm he has the past two autumns regarding Fulmer's future.

Ultimately — if it truly is Hamilton's belief that it is time for the Vols to move in a new direction — there is nothing to be gained by forcing Fulmer and his team to sweat that decision. In fact, it's cruel. Fulmer may not deserve to keep running the program, but he certainly doesn't deserve to twist in the wind. He deserves to leave on his preferred terms.

So let him coach the remaining three regular-season games. Encourage the fans to salute him with a standing ovation prior to the home finale against Kentucky, which has never beaten Fulmer.

In fact, Hamilton should strongly suggest that Fulmer run solo through the “T” a final time, serenaded by 106,000 Volniacs belting out Rocky Top. Call it Phillip Fulmer Appreciation Day.

But whatever decision Hamilton makes — especially if that decision to fire Fulmer — he needs to move quickly, lest he finish second for the guy who is first on everyone's wish list.

E-mail Mark Wiedmer at mwiedmer@timesfreepress.com