Hagood: Fulmer will fight deposition

Lawyers for former Alabama coaches Ronnie Cottrell and Ivy Williams said Tuesday they plan to renew efforts to question Fulmer in their clients' defamation suit against the NCAA.

The case is scheduled to go to trial July 11 in Alabama.

"It's unbelievable that 11 days from trial, they issue a subpoena," said Hagood, Fulmer's attorney. "They don't care about the truth. All they care about is harassment and publicity. That's what this is."

The suit filed by Cottrell and Williams contends NCAA investigator Richard Johanningmeier conspired with recruiting analyst Tom Culpepper to tarnish their reputations. An NCAA investigation, in which Fulmer participated, eventually led to Alabama sanctions in 2002.

Fulmer told the News Sentinel last week he isn't worried about the case and he believes "the system will work for itself."

Hagood is taking the same approach.

"When somebody's only reason to attempt to discover you is to harass you, you're darn right we're going to fight it," he said. "I'd say we've been pretty successful from the onset of this litigation, and we'll just see."

Hagood said his office would file an argument against the deposition within the next couple of days.

"I certainly don't think coach Fulmer is going to be deposed before July 11," he said. "I don't believe that his deposition is the least bit necessary. Again, it's only meant to harass and create havoc. It's nothing about the truth.

"They don't care about the truth. It's just unbelievable. It's about creating a buzz."

J. Michael Rediker, attorney representing Cottrell and Williams, told the Associated Press testimony given by Fulmer in the deposition could involve cross examination by the defendant's attorneys.

He also expected a fight of the subpoena from Fulmer's legal representation.

"Normally, courts don't quash any deposition subpoenas unless there is some special reason," Rediker told the AP. "They can make that move. I would hope that would not be successful.

"Then, their next move would be to try and object to specific questions or lines of inquiry."

Rediker said they would ask Tuscaloosa Circuit Court Judge Steve Wilson to order Fulmer's deposition. A Tennessee court would have to issue the subpoena.

Alabama talk shows have been bombarded the past two years with anti-Tennessee and anti-Fulmer calls.

"It's covered like the Iraqi war in Alabama," Hagood said. "Some of the talk show radio guys have created a trust fund for themselves covering this very thing. They like to keep it stirred up, and nothing suits those lawyers down there more than stirring it up.

"I guess they have a lot more time on their hands than we do."