With the announcement of Phillip Fulmer's departure as UT football coach, the natural question for all Vol fans is who the next man guiding the program will be. In the spirit of Election Day, sports editor Chris Mitchell and assistant sports editor Grant Ramey each pick a favorite candidate for the position and debate their choices.

Defense is the traditional strong hold in Tennessee football, with offensive power being a more liberal approach to winning games for the Vols, is your candidate conservative (defensive minded), or liberal (offensive minded)?

GR: My candidate, Will Muschamp (defensive coordinator - University of Texas), would certainly be considered a conservative choice to replace Phillip Fulmer as the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers. As a Rome, Ga., native, Muschamp walked onto the University of Georgia football team where he played safety and was voted team captain his senior year. Muschamp is a self-made everyman with a passion for the game that is unrivaled in college football. He will bring intensity, enthusiasm, knowledge and one of the best defensive schemes in the country to Knoxville as Fulmer's successor. Muschamp has experience as the defensive coordinator at both Auburn and Texas, with other SEC ties to Nick Saban as he was on his staff at LSU and in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins. If you want experience, passion and a young, exciting mentor for future Vols, vote Will Muschamp.

CM: My candidate Chris Petersen (head coach- Boise State University) is a liberal's choice to replace Phillip Fulmer. Coming from Yuba City, Calif., Petersen began coaching at his alma mater of UC-Davis. From there he would coach at Oregon and now at Boise State. He already has head coach experience, as he was named head coach on Dec. 16, 2005. He has transformed the Broncos into a BCS Bowl contender each season out of a non-BCS conference. His ability to call an offensive gameplan to take advantage of what he has isn't matched by many coaches in the country.

GR: I argue that my opponent's candidate did not build the powerhouse that Boise State has become, yet simply continued what former Broncos coach Dan Hawkins started. I give Petersen credit for continuing the success both on the field and on the recruiting trail, but Petersen, being from the West Coast and having no SEC ties is simply too liberal of a choice for athletic director Mike Hamilton to make at this time.

CM: My opponent just showed how much he knows about one of the better young minds in the game today. Although he is correct of Petersen continuing Hawkins' job, the wrong hire would not have done what Petersen has. Mike Hamilton has to step outside the box, like he did when he hired Bruce Pearl to coach basketball and Petersen is the man for the job.

Tennessee is a program based on tradition, would your candidate be considered "outside of the box" or more of a traditional candidate?

GR: My candidate defines traditional. Tennessee, as a program, has shown in the past it likes to stay inside the family. That not being a possibility this time, Will Muschamp is as close to inside of the box you can get. With the aforementioned ties to multiple SEC schools, Muschamp knows how the business works within the SEC and has recruiting ties to the states of Texas, Alabama and Louisana. Stay inside the box, stay traditional, vote Muschamp.

CM: When you define tradition, Tennessee is it. When you define the new game of football, Petersen is your man. He is very outside the box with his trick plays, however he still gets results. Just because he wasn't the head coach until 2005 doesn't mean he can't coach. He was Boise State's offensive coordinator from 2001 until his promotion. Petersen will probably retain defensive coordinator John Chavis and keep the tradition of UT going. With him being on the West Coast, he can continue on the California recruiting that Phillip Fulmer managed so well at the University of Tennessee. Step outside the box, vote Petersen

Is your candidate's background assistant-based, or does he have head coaching experience?

GR: My candidate's background is assistant-based, yet filled with more than fulfilling experiences to translate into a head coach who finds success. It has been documented Muschamp was only hours from becoming Arkansas' head coach in 2007 (before Bobby Petrino left the Atlanta Falcons) and Georgia Tech also considered my candidate for their opening last year. With experiences in the SEC, Big 12 and NFL, he will unquestionably be a head coach soon at a major college football program. The question is when and where. The decision, however, is yours. Vote Muschamp in 2009.

CM: My opponent's candidate has quite an impressive resume. However, my candidate is not lacking either. With assistant and head coach experience to strengthen his claim, my candidate is more than ready to step into an SEC program and take the reins.  Many may say that his offense is not ready for a conference such as the SEC, but I remember those same doubters who questioned Urban Meyer when he was hired at Florida. Petersen has continued a new winning tradition at Boise State as the Broncos are still undefeated this season, and he will restore glory to Tennessee football.

What would your candidate's platform be for fixing the problems of the current Vols program?

GR: My candidate's platform is simple: Win football games the way Tennessee is accustomed to winning football games. Smash-mouth defense and a passion for the game that rivals hoops coach Bruce Pearl will bring a fountain of youth effect to the Volunteer program. The players have reacted negatively to the firing of Coach Fulmer, but the hiring of Muschamp will renew their enthusiasm to right the Vols ship and turn the program around.

CM: This is 2008 Mr. Ramey. No one cares about "smash-mouth defense" anymore. If that's the case, Muschamp's defense would rank near the top in the nation. People want innovation, someone who will actually use his playmakers to make plays. Petersen can bring that passion of a Bruce Pearl. Look at the players on the UT roster that haven't been used to their full potential. Petersen will maximize the results of these young men.

With the Vols offense in the situation it is (much like the downward spiral of the nation's economy), is your candidate capable of fixing the situation and righting the Vols ship?

GR: My candidate is very capable of righting the direction of the program, especially the offense. Vol fans know the program has a history of playmakers on defense, and Muschamp will continue, maybe even elevate, that portion of the program. Many successful offensive coordinators would love to come to Tennessee and coach along a defensive genius like Muschamp. If Dave Clawson is not retained, Muschamp will most certainly have someone in mind. An offensive coordinator's dream is to have a strong defensive unit to rely on. Smash-mouth defense is a concept that will relate to an enthusiastic offensive scheme that will be capable of putting up more than enough points.

CM: An enthusiastic offense will be managed by Petersen. If Chavis chooses to be retained, then the defense will be in good shape. Chavis knows how to coach, and Petersen will recognize that. Tennessee's defense is one of the best in the nation; now couple that with an offense that can keep them off the field and takes advantage of the turnovers the defense produces, and you have the championship formula in place. Petersen will get his players to believe in his scheme, just as Meyer has done at Florida.

GR: Non-BCS coaches are no guarantee in this generation. Dan Hawkins was unbelievable at Boise State, yet his best win to date at Colorado has been against West Virginia. Urban Meyer found success at a program where they roll out of bed and pick up five-star recruits with their hands tied behind their backs. Tennessee is not a fertile state for high school talent, and the ability to steal recruits from Georgia, Florida and South Carolina is tougher than ever. To recruit nationally is the only way to find success in the SEC, offensively or defensively, and Muschamp's recruiting ties are undeniable. Mike Hamilton is sticking his neck out on the chopping block for the divorce of Fulmer and a new coaching search. Make the right choice Mr. Hamilton, your job depends on it. Vote Muschamp, America.

CM: I agree, non-BCS coaches are no guarantee. However, even BCS coaches are no guarantee. Steve Spurrier is the reason Florida gets those five-star recruits with the success he had there. He hasn't sniffed that success yet at South Carolina. It doesn't matter if a team gets a five-star or a one-star recruit.  What matters is the development of that player by the coaching staff, throwing him into the fire and giving him a chance to prove how good he is for you. Players will be intrigued by the offense that Petersen will bring, and with the Vols incoming recruiting class (assuming none transfer) that is set to hit campus next year, opportunities will be countless. Petersen is young, and he's ready to take over a big-time program. Vote, Petersen, Mr. Hamilton.