We should hire...

Al Wilson to come in and be the official team VolEnforcement Officer (unless he is able to make it back onto a team's roster this year -- he was let go from Denver while recuperating from an injury).

We should give him the title of "Dean of Discipline" as well as let him work as a linebacker coach. When he played for Tennessee, he was the coach of the team on the field as well as on the sideline when injured. He led first by his actions and then by his words. He didn't hesitate to get into a teammate's face if he wasn't giving it his all, and the other players respected him for it. I don't remember him ever getting involved in any kind of "off the field" incidents. In 1998, after winning the SEC championship and preparing to meet FSU in the Fiesta Bowl for the NC, Coach Fulmer used Al Wilson to help warn his team about the dangers of talking to, meeting with, and accepting any kind of gift from boosters, recruiters and the like. Al Wilson came into a team meeting with his head down and looking very shaken. With Fulmer by him, he then proceeded to tell how he had accepted money and violated NCAA rules. With tears streaming down his cheeks, he informed his team that they would have to all turn in their SEC championship rings.... This was a guy the whole team respected and admired. They were shocked. Several guys were crying. Then Coach Fulmer addressed the team and said something to the effect of, "This is what it would be like if any of you should ever put yourself above your team and violate NCAA rules."

This team needs something similar in order to recapture its focus. Whether it is Al Wilson or Coach Fulmer or some current teammate. The team needs to understand they are accountable to the school, the coaches, the fans and to each other. Very few people... very few athletes get the privilege they have to play football for a team like the University of Tennessee. They need to understand exactly what that means.

A proud member of the BOC VolEnforcement community.