$2 million man

"That's very close,'' UT athletic director Mike Hamilton said Friday.

The contract extension is expected to be approved by UT president John Petersen and released Monday, director of public relations Tiffany Carpenter said.

With incentives and bonuses, the 54-year-old Fulmer's deal is expected to be worth more than $2.1 million annually, according to sources.

Other collegiate coaches making more than $2 million per year include Bob Stoops of Oklahoma, Mack Brown of Texas and Bobby Bowden of Florida State. New Florida coach Urban Meyer makes $2 million a year with his total compensation package. Tommy Turberville of Auburn has agreed in principle to a deal that would pay him more than $2 million.

Private institutions, such as Southern Cal and Notre Dame do not have to disclose their coaches' annual salary. USC's Pete Carroll and Notre Dame's Charlie Weis are believed to also make at least $2 million per year.

Hamilton said Fulmer's contract is structured differently than in past years, but he would not specify on what the changes might be.

Fulmer's prior agreement, which runs through 2010, called for him to make $1,579,500 annually with a $1.05 million bonus to be paid if or when he completes the 2006 season.

In 2004, Fulmer received a base salary of $275,000, made $729,500 off his radio and television shows and received $575,000 in endorsements.

The Vols were 10-3 this past season with two of the losses to Auburn. UT had wins against Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl.

Fulmer, whose .799 winning percentage (123-31) is tops among Division I-A coaches with 10 or more years of experience, didn't get a raise or an extension following the Vols' 8-5 season in 2002.

Once Fulmer's contract is complete, Hamilton said the salaries of the Vols' assistant coaches will be addressed.

Last year, the UT assistant coaches' salary pool was increased four percent, and Fulmer was left to divide the money.

Hamilton has not disclosed the salary pool raise this year, but he said Fulmer is aware of it.

"We told Phillip what his pool of money is,'' Hamilton said. "Anything beyond that amount, he should come back to us with a request.''

Assistant coach salaries have become an issue at other SEC schools.

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier recently agreed to a $1.25 million contract so that he could pay his assistant coaches more money.

Both Auburn and Georgia lost their defensive coordinators to high-paying jobs. Georgia coach Mark Richt recently pulled out of coaching the Hula Bowl so that he could return to Athens and secure assistant coach Rodney Garner, who was threatening to leave for a higher-paying job at Texas.

Fulmer recently said he is confident UT will ensure his assistant coaches are paid on par with other top programs.