ACE REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: SEC MEDIA DAYS #2

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Report #2 from Hoover, AL

Fulmer Should Have Admitted That Someone Tossed A Document To Him

In over 25 years of covering the SEC football media days, I’ve seen my share of bizarre moments.

But few exceed what happened Thursday morning.

News broke mid-morning that Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer had been issued a subpoena by the attorneys of Wendell Smith, charged with being an Alabama booster who provided extra benefits for football prospect Kenny Smith.

Smith signed with Alabama and later transferred to Tennessee.

Smith is suing the NCAA.

Chris Linton, a clerk for the Birmingham law firm representing Smith, told several media outlets he met Fulmer outside the lobby of the Wynfrey Hotel – site of the SEC Media Days — and handed the subpoena to Fulmer. He said Fulmer didn’t want the piece of paper and let it drop to the ground but later picked it up.

Multiple times, Fulmer denied any knowledge of being subpoenaed.

“I haven’t seen anything like that,” Fulmer said. “Somebody’s just screwing around.  I haven’t seen anything.”

Saying you didn’t see anything means you didn’t see anyone trying to hand you a sheet of paper.

Bud Ford, long-time sports information director at Tennessee, said he was with Fulmer almost every step of the way and he did not see anyone approach Fulmer to serve him with papers.

During a behind-the-scenes meeting with several Tennessee media members, Fulmer grew tired of questions about the incident.

“If you don’t want to talk about my team,” Fulmer said, “this interview is over.”

In the radio room and print room, Fulmer again said he didn’t see any papers being served and said he wanted to talk about his team, not any legal issue.

Fulmer’s attorney, Jeff Hagood of Knoxville, said as of 2 p.m. Thursday he had not talked to Fulmer; therefore, he had not advised his client on how to handle the awkward situation.

A few hours later, Hagood said he talked to Fulmer and that Fulmer said someone basically threw a piece of paper at him. Fulmer didn’t look at it at the time and didn’t realize it was a subpoena until he got into his vehicle as he was leaving the Winfrey.

“He’s frustrated and aggravated that someone tried to ruin his day,” Hagood said.

For that, I don’t blame Fulmer.

But I’m having trouble buying Fulmer’s story. If he didn’t look at the paper, he should have explained earlier that someone did indeed throw a piece of paper at him and that he didn’t look at it and that he didn’t know it was a subpoena.

While you can blame the attorney for an underhanded publicity stunt, Fulmer didn’t handle it properly, either.

He should have acknowledged something happened. He should have admitted someone approached him, rather than denying it.

And he should have come clean before he left the premises.

Richt Talks About His Emotions

Georgia coach Mark Richt said he was “embarrassed” by the way his team played in a 35-14 loss at Knoxville in October.

Richt said the Bulldogs played without passion or emotion, something hard to explain for a big game like Tennessee.

“I was taking inventory and getting mad at others until I realized I was part of the problem,” Richt said.

As a play caller, Richt said he had to remain calm. But when he gave those duties to assistant Mike Bobo, he said he needed to be more emotional.

He ordered his players to get a celebration penalty if Georgia scored a first-half touchdown against Florida. The Bulldogs emptied the bench rushing onto the field, much to the chagrin of the Gators.

Richt said, in hindsight, he made a mistake and wouldn’t do it again and he apologized to Florida coach Urban Meyer.

Richt was asked if showing more emotion was contrary to his true personality.

“I get fired up,” Richt said. “I get riled up. I do a little trash talking to get things riled up (when playing games against family members).”

Richt might have taken it too far against an official during one game.

`I was getting in his ear and the official said, `I thought you were a class act,”’ Richt said.

“I am a class act,” Richt yelled at the official.
 

Caldwell Eager To Beat Auburn

Like the rest of his teammates, Alabama offensive lineman Antoine Caldwell has never beaten Auburn.

The Tigers have won six in a row over the Crimson Tide.

That’s been a source of frustration for Alabama players and fans, alike.

Caldwell was asked what a win over Auburn would mean to him.
“It would be huge, I’m not going to lie, I can’t down play it,” Caldwell said. “We definitely want that one.”

Ole Miss Biggest Game On Arkansas Schedule

Chuck Barrett, the voice of the Arkansas Razorbacks, said he’s looking forward to the Arkansas-Texas game in Austin Sept. 13.
   
Like many Hog fans, Barrett still considers Texas a bigger rival than any other SEC school, with LSU gaining ground.
   
However, Barrett doesn’t think Texas is the biggest game on the Hogs’ schedule.
   
That would be Ole Miss, Oct. 25. Ole Miss, coached by former Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt.
   
“You can lose to Texas and beat Ole Miss,” Barrett said. “But you can’t beat Texas and lose to Ole Miss in Fayetteville.”

Tebow Popularity Astounds Meyer

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow has approached rock-star status.

A mob of fans greeted him when he arrived at the SEC Football Media Days.

Tebow said he uses his fame as a college quarterback to advance his platform of Christianity and helping others through mission trips. He also said he wants to be a positive role model in a world when too many athletes are poor role models.

Gator coach Urvan Meyer marvels at the way Tebow handles himself and fans.

Meyer recounted a trip with Tebow to New York last December for the Heisman Trophy ceremonies. Tebow was swarmed by fans as Meyer followed.

“I was getting pushed in the back because they thought I was hanging around Tim trying to get his autograph,” Meyer said.

Extra Points

Meyer said he disagrees with college football’s new clock rules in part because it’s the third change in three years. “I’m sick and tired of changing,” Meyer said.

Mississippi State coach Sylvester Croom said to field a special team your seniors have to play their best football during their final season.

Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson admitted it will be tough to replace five offensive linemen, but he said the Commodores have recruited to offset the concern. He said the youngsters will be more athletic, although less experienced.

SEC Commissioner Mike Slive said the league is making strides with ethnic diversity as LSU hired Trent Johnson as men’s basketball coach and Kentucky hired Joker Phillips as a head coach in waiting.

LSU coach Les Miles said his national championship ring weighs about six pounds. He said he only wears it at major media functions, when recruiting or when addressing LSU alumni.