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Mike Hamilton is the perfect guy for Tennessee

by Tony Basilio

With football time in Tennessee nearly upon us, it feels like an appropriate time to gush a little. As a UT grad, I’m really proud of Mike Hamilton. No, there’s no catch or kill shot behind my show of kindness. It’s just refreshing to see someone with genuine character presiding over UT athletics.

Hamilton was appointed after a botched national search that was reminiscent of a UT Presidential hunt from years gone by; the Tennessee “brain trust” passed over one prospect after another before finally settling on Hamilton. His introductory press conference had the feel of a Survivor finale. That the gathering was hurriedly called at then-President Schumaker’s residence only fueled speculation that Hamilton won out in a war of attrition. “Tennessee fans, meet the last man standing. Sure, we wanted others, but what can I say? He’s been with us a long time.” Sources close to the search say now that Schumaker wasn’t confident in Hamilton’s ability to do the job and was thus looking for someone, anyone to fill the post.

I called Hamilton last week on a personal matter. He was just as cordial and accommodating as he usually is, but he was also introspective. It had been a while since we talked, and he humbly shared with me what a learning experience his first 14 months on the job have been. He said that the different challenges of being an AD at Tennessee are energizing. During our casual conversation, it dawned on me that Mike Hamilton is the perfect guy to lead Tennessee into this new era.

In 14 short months, his administration has put a kinder, gentler face on UT athletics. Gone are the days of alienated fans and, worse yet, alienated former athletes. Hamilton spoke of the importance of honoring fans and tradition that day at Schumaker’s, and he has since delivered. Last year his administration gave us the “Year Of The UT Fan.” Fans were actually recognized at football games. To previous AD Doug Dickey, fans were something used to dry the turf back in the synthetic-playing-surface days. Fans were something to be pinched to the last drop. with a thank you never uttered.

It’s true that Hamilton could’ve handled the whole grandfathered ticket grab better. No one is perfect. Although he didn’t say it explicitly, it wouldn’t be a stretch to think that the incident was one of the learning experiences he was referring to. Where he failed was in telling fans that doing away with some grandfathered seats was far better than what was going on at other conference schools, where all grandfathered seats are a thing of the past. At Tennessee, several thousand grandfathered seats remain.

This P.R. snafu opened the door for politicos like State Senators Tim Burchett and Jerry Cooper to get involved, and even a former player, the one-time Crossville Comet Curt Watson, ripped the program for its perceived Big Orange greed. Watson even went as far as to say that he was turning his tickets in and wouldn’t attend any more games on the Hill.

That incident gave Mike Hamilton a chance to show that he was made of different stuff. Like any shrewd administrator, he laid low while the incident blew over, yet still let Watson know that he was a valued part of the UT family. That’s standard fare. It’s what Hamilton did in private that sets him apart from everyone else in this bean-counting profession.

Earlier this month, Hamilton personally called Watson and invited him to UT’s opener with UNLV, a night highlighted by pre-game gala on the field where a couple hundred former Vols will be honored. Hamilton made the call without fanfare; I learned of it only by accidental last week. He didn’t do it for P.R. or posturing. He did it because it is the right thing to do. That, in a word, is Mike Hamilton.

Who other than Hamilton could pull off the unimaginable? All four living Tennessee Head Coaches will be on the field at the same time: Doug Dickey, Bill Battle, Johnny Majors, (yes, I said Johnny Majors) and Phillip Fulmer. Now, that’s enough to make the hair stand up on the yellow belly of Tommy Gallion! And I think even Gallion would have to agree that Tennessee found the right guy in Mike Hamilton.

Tune in and talk sports with Tony Basilio weekdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on ESPN Radio WVLZ 1180 AM.

August 19, 2004 • Vol. 14, No. 34 © 2004 Metro Pulse