JOHN ADAMS

John Adams: Let's have a Fulmer-Blackburn debate

John Adams
USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee
Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer speaks to the media at the SEC football media days in Hoover, Ala. on Thursday, July 24, 2008. Fulmer denied reports Thursday that he was served with a subpoena to testify in an Alabama court case while appearing at the annual Southeastern Conference football media days.

Local talk-show host Tony Basilio raised his voice last week and declared in the shrillest of tones that Tennessee’s search for an athletic director had turned into a campaign. And he was right.

Former football coach Phillip Fulmer’s campaign for the job has been underway for a while, perhaps much longer than we know.

For example, he started showing up at Thompson-Boling Arena to watch Tennessee men’s and women’s basketball games from a courtside seat.

Depending on your level of intellect, you might have concluded, “Man, Coach Fulmer really loves his basketball,” or “Man, Coach Fulmer really wants that AD job. He will be kissing babies at courtside next.”

Chattanooga athletic director David Blackburn is another popular candidate. He said he had been criticized for “campaigning” for the UT job after granting several media interviews last week.

“I wasn’t campaigning,” he said. “I was just trying to answer questions.”

Chattanooga athletic director David Blackburn

He answered all my questions related to rumors that began after he was first mentioned as an AD candidate. It’s anybody’s guess where those rumors started.

Actually, I don’t have a problem with people campaigning for a job. But if there’s going to be a campaign, there also needs to be a debate.

Here’s how a Fulmer-Blackburn debate might go (without a moderator):

Fulmer: I just want to say, “Let’s make it 1998 again.”

Blackburn: That was a great year, Coach. And I know all Tennessee fans appreciate that you led the program to a national championship. They will remember that long after they remember how bad the program was when you left.

Fulmer: Remember that run Jamal (Lewis) made against Auburn? Or Peerless Price’s catch against Mississippi State? Why, it seems like yesterday.

Blackburn: Not quite yesterday. More like 18 years ago. But Coach, being a coach is nothing like being an athletic director. You would have to deal with a myriad of serious issues that have nothing to do with handing the ball to Jamal Lewis.

Fulmer: I hired David Cutcliffe. How about that?

Blackburn: That’s great, Coach. Coach Cut saved you more than a few times. But you have been away from college athletics for nine years.

Fulmer: Well, it’s not as though I’ve just been hunting and fishing for nine years. I’ve been in business.

Blackburn: Yeah, I saw where one of your former players – Mike West, I think – gave you a job. Seems like the name of that business has changed. What do you do there?

Fulmer:  I’m in business development.

Blackburn: So I guess you go out and find people to invest in the firm. How has that worked out?

Fulmer: I hired John Chavis.

Blackburn: He’s a terrific defensive coordinator, Coach. But you also hired Dave Clawson as your offensive coordinator when you got fired in 2008.

Fulmer: That was the 10th anniversary of our national championship season. Remember how Al Wilson wrecked Florida’s offense by himself?

And how clutch was Jeff Hall? Never had a better kicker.

Blackburn: But what does that have to do with being an AD?

Fulmer: You want to see my championship ring after the debate?

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him on Twitter: @JohnAdamsKNS.

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