So here we are again, one win and two losses after three weeks of Volunteer football - an opening loss to a Pac-10 team from California, a win over a sub-par Conference USA team and a dismantling loss to a much more talented Florida team. Whether Mike Hamilton likes it or not, there will be life after Phillip Fulmer. Do I think it's going to happen anytime soon? No. Do I hope it happens sometime soon? Yes. The abysmal season that looms, though, could usher in change if it is bad enough. This week's eight lessons are turned into eight possibilities for Tennessee Football A.P. (After Phil).

NFL Possibilities

Jon Gruden (Tampa Bay) - If a hard-nosed mentality is what you want, Jon Gruden is your man. The question would be, is it better to be a mediocre NFL coach or an elite college football coach. Mike Hamilton could lure him from the league with enough money and I'm pretty sure Pete Carroll handled the transition from pro ball to college kids quite well. Gruden has ties to Knoxville and could find success in the SEC.

Pete Carroll (USC) - Wait, USC isn't in the NFL? Oh well, the Trojans could beat about four NFL teams so Carroll stays in the NFL category. Once again, Hamilton would have to wave a hefty offer to get Carroll to leave the bright lights of Hollywood. But success in the SEC is success like no other in college football. Carroll could consider giving it a shot. What does he have to lose?

College Possibilities (a little more realistic)

Bronco Mendenhall (BYU) - Mendenhall is a bit of a long shot with only three years of head coaching experience and ties to the west coast. He does have an impressive defensive resume and has compiled consecutive 11-win seasons in Provo (with Mountain West titles in both years). In Knoxville, football is priority number one. In Provo, football is closer to priority number four. He can win with the hand he is dealt. Imagine the hand he could be dealt as a Volunteer. (Another plus, his name is Bronco.)

Greg Schiano (Rutgers) - It's been noted in the past that Schiano is holding out for the Penn State job once Joe Paterno retires, if he ever retires. Once again, wave him an offer of a coaching job in the best conference in the country at a school with more football tradition than the Big Ten could ever dream of and he may reconsider.

Chris Peterson (Boise State) - Peterson is one of the younger more exciting guys just waiting for a promotion. Boise State is certainly not a destination job and proves Peterson can recruit. His Broncos went undefeated in 2006 capped with a creative win over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl on the infamous 'Statue of Liberty' two-point conversion.

Bob Stoops (Oklahoma) - The price would have to be right, and high. But with what Stoops has done at Oklahoma begs an offer. Stoops has SEC ties with Florida so it may be feasible to get back to the conference of his coaching roots. Imagine a Stoops/Pearl combination in men's athletics.

Jim Leavitt (South Florida) - Leavitt has been the only head coach in history at South Florida. He headed the program from scratch in 1997 and brought them all the way to a No. 2 ranking in 2007. Leavitt has proved to be able to win big games when the spotlight is on his upstart program. His recruiting ties to the state of Florida would also be a great addition on the Tennessee sideline.

Will Muschamp (Texas Defensive Coordinator) - Muschamp is arguably the highest rated assistant coach in the nation. Combining that with ties to Georgia and Auburn could prove worthy of the Vols reaching on a guy like Muschamp. No head coaching experience all but eliminates him from consideration, but its fun to dream.