Minnesota Job Search (Gophers Not Vikings). Has Phil Fulmer Thrown His Hat In The Gopher Ring?

The power brokers at the University of Minnesota believe the Gopher football program is a diamond in the rough. Millions of dollars have been spent on new facilities and a brand spankin' new stadium. Now that Tim Brewster has been let go as head coach a new leader is being sought. Deep pocketed boosters want a big name with credentials and seem to be willing to spend whatever it takes to get their guy.

They went after Gopher alum Tony Dungy but he likes his TV gig. Who's in the Minnesota cross hairs? One name has caught our attention in the OSG HQ.

That would be former Tennessee head coach Phil Fulmer. According to an OSG source Fulmer has wanted to get back into the coaching arena and is looking for the right opportunity. Does Minnesota qualify?

“Minnesota has great potential, and with its new facilities it’s a place you could recruit to,’’ Fulmer told the Knoxville News Sentinel. “I believe it’s a place where you can compete.’’

Interesting.

Here's who is reportedly on the Gophers list:

Kevin Sumlin - University of Houston head coach: Sumlin was an assistant at Minnesota and has been very successful leading the Cougars. That would not be a bad hire.

Jeff Jagodzinski- Omaha Nighthawks (UFL) head coach: The Minneapolis/St. Paul media would love him, having dealt with Jags in the past he was great to get to know. Though successful at Boston College in ended badly clashing with B-C's athletic director. Still not a bad hire.

Jim Harbaugh - Stanford head coach: Can't see that happening. If Harbaugh goes back to the Big 10 its to his alma mater Michigan.

Chris Petersen - Boise State head coach: Good luck. Petersen has a great gig at Boise State. Minnesota might pay him better but is it worth it to Petersen.

Dan Mullen - Mississippi State head coach: Mullen can only take Mississippi State so far in the SEC. The Minnesota gig might be appealing because at least he might get the program to compete for championships in the Big 10. That will never happen in Starkville.

Ken Niumatalolo - Navy head coach: I'm sure Minnesota's athletic administration has seen how Paul Johnson's offense has been successful in the ACC since leaving Navy for Georgia Tech. Their would be a risk but Niumatalolo has kept the Navy program in smooth water since getting the head coaching gig.

Leslie Frazier - Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator: Reportedly interested in the gig. Frazier has been interviewed a few times for NFL head coaching jobs but hasn't landed the job. This might be that opportunity Frazier is looking for. Reportedly Tony Dungy has endorsed Frazier.

Marc Trestman - Montreal (CFL) head coach: Trestman has been very successful coaching football in Canada. Stay in the Great White North.

DeWayne Walker - New Mexico State head coach: No comment.

Al Golden - Temple head coach: We like Golden. Anyone that can make Temple football relevant has to considered for a Big 10 job. Golden might not bite though as he has been rumored as a possible successor to Joe Paterno at Penn State.

Minnesota photo courtesy: Marlin Levison/Minneapolis Star Tribune

Phil Fulmer photo courtesy: AP

Wednesday Kiffin Carousel Update... Tennessee Is Still Angry...And Maybe Courting Fulmer...

First and foremost, this is what happens when Vol fans have too much time to drink, think, and releive themselves...

The language is so NSFW, it's probably NC-17...
((HT: BigVolDaddy))


Dave Hooker has a story up on govolsxtra that says Ed Orgeron called Tennessee enrollees and told them not to go to class... If they did attend, they would have had to follow transfer guidelines if they chose to go to Southern Cal.

Apparently, after Pete Carroll left to take the job with the Seattle Seahawks, Kiffin was contacted Tuesday with an offer from SC. Vols AD Mike Hamilton asked if there was anything that could be done. Kiffin answer was obvious.

Hamilton also said that he was not aware of a report from ESPN's Gene Wojcieckowski that claims some of the more high-falooting members of the Board of Trustees have contacted Philip Fulmer about returning as either AD or head coach- not both. Fulmer, according to those same reports, showed interest.

Wojciechowski also reports that the meeting between Kiffin and his players was contentious, bordering hostile, and that Kippy Brown calmed matters down.

More when we have more...

Who Will Be The New Coach At Clemson

Should the Clemson Tigers defeat South Carolina this weekend than the Tigers would be bowl eligible. It would be another feather in the hat for Dabo Swinney, who took over in mid-season and is 3-2 since and with impressive road wins at Boston College and at Virginia

Swinney has taken full grasp of the offense getting the ball to Clemson's playmakers. C.J. Spiller and Aaron Kelly have benefited from that.

The success Dabo Swinney has had taking over has lead to a grass roots movement from Clemson fans in favor of Swinney to have the job. Many Tiger fans believe if athletic director Terry Don Phillips is considering hiring a coordinator than there is no reason why Swinney shouldn't be the guy.

Here's what we know. Phillips has had interviewed Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables, Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster, University of Illinois offensive coordinator Mike Locksley and Lane Kiffin. OSG reported that Kiffin appears to be headed to Tennessee. It has also been reported that TCU head coach Gary Patterson interviewed yesterday for the job.

2 names I would also look to are Buffalo head coach Turner Gill and outgoing Tennessee coach Phil Fulmer. OSG has no confirmation that they are on the radar screen at Clemson but just playing a hunch. Gill has brought the Bulls from irrelevance to the MAC Championship Game after winning the Eastern Division. Fulmer still has the fire to coach and would seem to be a good fit at Clemson.

It is of OSG's opinion that Dabo Swinney is a virtual lock to get the job however, things might be interesting now that a formal interview with Patterson has taken place. Patterson is ready to make the leap to a BCS school and according to OSG sources, made it known that he was interested in the position. Patterson was up for the vacant Kansas State job but backed out when negotiations broke down.

Clemson Interviewing Coaching Candidates

Clemson is in the process to find a new head football coach. Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster is interviewing with Clemson athletic director Terry Don Phillips Friday.

Phillips flew to Detroit and interviewed former Oakland Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin. He has also interviewed Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables.

Interviews with Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp and Vanderbilt Head Coach Bobby Johnson seem to be in the works. I wouldn't be surprised there will be a conversation between Phillips and outgoing Tennessee head coach Phil Fulmer.

Foster has been the only one to public state his interest in the Clemson head coaching position.

Don't forget that Dabo Swinney is auditioning for this job and is winning the hearts and minds of Tigertown. In a recent survey by greenvilleonline.com out of Greenville, South Carolina, Swinney was the popular choice getting 37% of the vote over Bill Cowher with 23%. Bobby Johnson received 13% while Will Muschamp got 10%.

Breaking News: Fulmer Will Not Return To Tennessee

Phil Fulmer's tenure as Tennessee Head Coach is over. Fulmer stepped down as head coach of the Vols.

Saying that he loved Tennessee so much he hated to see her divided, Fulmer agreed with the UT administration that this would be his last year as head coach.

Fulmer was very emotional during the news conference and was overcome a few times and had to collect himself.

Fulmer signed a new 7 year contract this past summer worth $2.5 million this season. UT is also on the hook for a $6 million buyout if Fulmer was let go after this season. UT is currently 2-6 on the year. Looks like UT found someone to write a large check to fulfill that obligation.

Photo Courtesy: Harry How/Getty Images