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Vols' Fulmer Has Coaches To Hire

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The Associated Press

Published: January 3, 2008

Updated: 01/03/2008 12:46 am

TAMPA - Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer has his work cut out for him this offseason.

Only minutes after wrapping up the topsy-turvy 2007 season with 10 wins and a 21-17 Outback Bowl win against No. 18 Wisconsin, Fulmer announced he was ready to get back to work.

"We're ready to go home and put a little bit of a staff together where we need to," Fulmer said.

After the up-and-down season the Vols have seen - with tough losses and injuries coupled with exhilarating wins and a Southeastern Conference championship appearance - it would be easy for the coach to take some time off.

But Fulmer said he's ready to build on the No. 16 Volunteers' winning season.

The first thing on the agenda is to fill vacancies created by offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe's departure to become Duke coach and wide receivers coach Trooper Taylor's exit for a co-offensive coordinator position at Oklahoma State.

Fulmer expects running backs coach Kurt Roper and tight ends coach Matt Luke to follow Cutcliffe to Duke.

Fulmer said he has interviewed several candidates for the offensive coordinator job, which he wants to fill first. He even interviewed in Tampa preparing for the Outback Bowl. He would like to have his offensive chief hired by Tuesday, the next time the team meets.

The Vols are also waiting on four juniors to decide if they will enter the NFL draft.

Linebacker Jerod Mayo is a likely candidate to leave after leading the SEC with 140 tackles. All-American offensive guard Anthony Parker and tailback Arian Foster may also enter the draft.

DUKE: Coach David Cutcliffe made his first hire, making Jets assistant Mike MacIntyre his defensive coordinator.

GEORGIA TECH: Paul Johnson officially took over as coach of Georgia Tech on Wednesday and announced his entire coaching staff.

Johnson, who was Navy's coach for six seasons before being named last month to replace the fired Chan Gailey, named Dave Wommack (Southern Miss) defensive coordinator, Giff Smith line coach, Brian Jean-Mary linebackers coach, Charles Kelly cornerbacks coach (all Georgia Tech), Brian Bohannon quarterbacks coach, Todd Spencer co-offensive line coach and Jeff Monken slot backs/special teams coach (all Navy), Mike Sewak (Georgia Southern) co-offensive line coach and Buzz Preston (New Mexico) receivers coach.

MEMPHIS: Former University of South Florida defensive coordinator Rick Kravitz was fired after one season as defensive coordinator at Memphis. Kravitz had been at USF from 1996-2005 before going to N.C. State as safeties coach in 2006.

"I appreciate the efforts of Rick with our defense this past season. However, in the process of moving a program from one place to another there are always tough decisions," Memphis coach Tommy West said. "I remain committed to doing what I feel is necessary for our program to reach its fullest potential."

TEXAS: Junior running back Jamaal Charles, who rushed for 1,619 yards this season, announced he will enter the NFL draft.

Texas also said assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator Larry Mac Duff is leaving after one season.

Staff writer Brett McMurphy contributed to this report.

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