Hold Your Fire: Coaching Moves Too Early?

   Tennessee is among four major colleges that have declared their intentions to replace the head football coach after the season. Athletics directors, under pressure from alumni, should ask themselves if it's better to resit and wait until the uniforms are stored for the winter before announcing the dismissals.

   Here's an example why:

   Among Georgia high school players who have committed to the Vols, one (Antonio Foster of Valdosta) has switched to Georgia Tech and two others (Toney Williams of Milton and Nigel Mitchell-Thornton of Stephenson) are wavering. This, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Since Phil Fulmer learned his fate, effective after the season, Williams already has heard from four SEC teams, plus two from the ACC.

   Is this a fair and legitimate tactic by those schools?

   Had the Vols waited another five weeks, prospects would more likely be locked in, with fewer options. These midseason sacking announcements hurt recruiting, to be sure.

   Should Tennessee have held off until the season was done?