Buzzmaster

  (11:57 AM)

Hey everyone, with the Phil Fulmer news, Chris Low won't be able to make his usual 1 p.m. ET chat slot. However, he will be joining us later this afternoon, before the Tennessee press conference. So, check back for the time and we'll have him on later.

Buzzmaster

  (4:33 PM)

We've got Chris!

Chris Low

  (4:33 PM)

I'm here and ready to go!

Baker (Columbia, SC)

This is a pretty brash move for Tennessee to split with the very respected Fulmer mid-season--being the third team to do so this year, do you think a new trend is starting? Is it to ease fan frustration or to gain an edge in the hiring process?

Chris Low

  (4:34 PM)

The difference is that Coach Fulmer will finish this season out. But Tennessee knew it wanted to go in a different direction. There was no sense in making everybody suffer for the rest of the year. So why prolong the inevitable?

Nathan (Atlanta, GA)

How good of a coaching job is Tennessee?

Chris Low

  (4:35 PM)

If I were ranking the jobs in the SEC, I would it fifth behind Florida, LSU, Georgia, Alabama, in that order.

Jon (Knoxville)

Do you know anything about recruit retention at UT and which guys are more likely to stick around and which guys will bolt?

Chris Low

  (4:36 PM)

Yes, I've heard both of the big time RBs the Vols had committed, Giles, Oku have expressed that they're going to look around now.

Chris Low

  (4:36 PM)

Fulmer's exit will clearly hurt what was shaping up to be a top 10 class.

Josh (Memphis)

I'll ask the obvious question...who is on Tennessee's short list to replace Fulmer?

Chris Low

  (4:38 PM)

The name's I've heard most commonly are Texas DC Will Muschamp, former Raiders coach Lane Kiffin, TT coach Mike Leach, Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe, TCU coach Gary Batterson, Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly.

Chris Low

  (4:38 PM)

I'm sure there will be more but these are names that Tennessee will have interest in.

Steve (Houston)

Lots of noise about Mike Leach to UT. Could UT fans support his style and approach to the game?

Chris Low

  (4:38 PM)

He wins games, scores points and makes it as entertaining he has lately at Texas Tech. I think there would be a lot of people that would love to have him.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

It seems like the SEC has lost a bit of its luster this season. Teams like Auburn, Arkansas and Tennessee have been bad to average while LSU and Georgia look like they will struggle against better teams. Do you see conferences like the Big-12 and Big Ten catching up or even being better than the SEC?

Chris Low

  (4:40 PM)

I don't see anybody passing the SEC, but I think the Big 12 this year is as good as any conference. I think the five best teams in the Big 12 this year are better than the best five teams in the SEC.

Kelly (Maryville, TN)

This is one of those sad...but expected days. I hate it for Philip, but something had to change. Even I was developing a mediocre additide, and I am a die hard fan. Just want to express my appreciation to Phil and hope he enjoys fly fishing and whatever else comes his way. Any chance he can be an assistant AD for Tennessee?

Chris Low

  (4:41 PM)

I don't believe so, because I don't think Coach Fulmer will want to give the indication that he's looking over anybody's shoulder. Plus, he's walking away with a pretty nice $6 million parting gift.

Will (Knoxville, Tennessee)

Will this be Coach Fulmer's last job or given his age do you think he will look for another head coaching job?

Chris Low

  (4:42 PM)

He won't take just any job for the sake of coaching again. But if there's another job out there that he's comfortable with and thinks he has a legit chance to win. I think he would persue coaching again.

Will J (Portland, OR)

Will Tennessee go after Cutcliffe? He probably would've been the most likely to take over, had he still been on the staff.

Chris Low

  (4:43 PM)

David Cutcliffe would be a great choice, he's one of hte best coaches out there. But I don't see him being a candidate for this job. I think Tennessee will want to make a clean break from coach Fulmer, meaning they wouldn't want to bring in any of his assistants.

Tim (Louisville, KY)

Any news on players' reaction?

Chris Low

  (4:44 PM)

I've talked to a few parents of players, assistant coaches. They're heart broken. Most of all, because the guy who's been at Tennessee for as long as he has and has invested as much of his life into this program as he has won't be able to go out on his terms.

James (Bristol, TN)

Do you see Tennessee replacing the OC and or the DC ?

Chris Low

  (4:45 PM)

That depends on who they bring in. But typically, a new head coach will want to bring in a new staff. So, I don't see either one of the coordinators staying.

Will J (Portland, OR)

Do you think offensive philosophy is what's really hurting SEC offenses? It seems to me the Big XII QB's are being allowed to play the game, instead of being restricted.

Chris Low

  (4:46 PM)

This is the best batch of QBs the Big 12 has had in its history. That's one variable. The other is the defenses in the SEC are much better than they are in the Big 12.

Nick Saban (Tuscalossa,Alabama)

Chris, What do you think of my Alabama Crimson Tide?

Chris Low

  (4:47 PM)

The most physical team I've seen in the country, with the best offensive line and a defense that gets better each week. The only question I have about 'Bama is whether they can come from behind and win a game if they have to.

Dave (Tyler, TX)

How soon does Tennessee plan to wait before naming a replacement? If they don't do so soon, it will adversely affect the recruiting class for 2009. I hear the QB from VA is solid on his commitment, but the two star tailbacks are wavering.

Chris Low

  (4:48 PM)

I look for them to name somebody in December. Just about all of the coaches they're going to want are still employed at this point. So, sometime in mid-to-late December.

Dave (kingsport, tn)

Some rumors have coach Jon Gruden jumping ship from the NFL to UT... after all he was a GA at UT and isn't his wife from the area?

Chris Low

  (4:49 PM)

I've been hearing those rumors for two years. I'll believe it when I see it.

Chris Low

  (4:50 PM)

Thanks for all the questions. It's a sad day in Tennessee for a lot of people who know what Coach Phil Fulmer has meant to the Tennesse program.