Photo by Michael Patrick
Former University of Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer has agreed to serve a three-month appointment as “special assistant to the president,” effective Dec. 1, UT spokeswoman Gina Stafford said this afternoon.
The position will pay Fulmer $12,500 a month from private sources, or gift money from university supporters, Stafford said. It is unclear whether the money was donated specifically for the position. He also will receive standard full-time employee benefits.
“Phillip Fulmer is a UT icon and a wonderful ambassador,” said university president John Petersen in a UT release. “Over his long career with the university he has developed a vast network of contacts, made invaluable relationships with alumni and UT supporters, and done extensive work with development. I look forward to having him assist with further developing and enhancing strategic relationships for the University,”
The appointment ends Feb. 28.
“I am not yet certain what the future holds for my career, but I’ll always support my alma mater, and I appreciate the opportunity to help the University out now,” Fulmer said, in the release.
The position was outlined in an offer letter accepted by Fulmer.
More details on GoVolsXtra.com and in Tuesday’s News Sentinel.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 400
Volsrbest writes:
And future Athletic Director!
letshave1more writes:
This is a WIN-WIN for everyone!!
VolPride_13 writes:
I sure hope so, he is a class act!!
tripper writes:
Do we have to pay him and what's his buyout?
allVolinGA writes:
This is a good thing. Glad he will still be with UT after all his service, dedication, and being a class person. It would have been difficult to work directly for Hamilton in something like an AD capacity after Hamilton fired him. So good he reports to Peterson (who might not be there long unless he gets Carol under control). Give Fulmer 2-3 years and we might see him as AD.
NoMoreWooAfterGoodOleRockyTop writes:
I've been critical of CFP for years but this is a great thing for UT. Classy move Phil! We're glad you stayed in the family.
murrayvol writes:
Fine with me as long as he's not looking over Kiffin's shoulder.
AllVol2008#1353998 writes:
I have to say that I am glad to see this. I hope he is productive and happy.
Pablopeepants writes:
Just hope Fulmer remembers how Peterson takes his coffee, we don't want to buy out his contract twice.
wally writes:
Hamilton is doing an outstanding job as AD. We definitely don't need PF leaning over his shoulder.
clausenforheisman writes:
Glad to see this, congrats coach you're a class act.
allVolinGA writes:
And how does this relate to the article?
I was one who thought we needed a new direction. We got one. But enough of the bashing is enough.
FlaVol2 writes:
Don't you know when to quit talking about old business? Get on with your life.
VOLS85 writes:
hey general fritter, some things never change do they?
you're beating a dead horse quite well
Bass_Vol_1998 writes:
glad to see it. I know that he has been slipping- and he got his free pass in 2005. But he did get the NC and 7 in row over bama.
TommyJack writes:
If he successfully breaks up 8 cat-fights per year, he gets an extention.
UTmama writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
tripper writes:
This feels eirily similiar to the decision about the mother-in-law. Does she come live with us or do we put her in a nursing home? No win situation at best !!!
PreventUT writes:
SWEEEET! Now please zoom away from his face.
posivol writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
yeavols#228407 writes:
Fulmer did the right thing, whether it was a forced resignation or he resigned on his own. It certainly could have been much worse. And, staying at UT will have its advantages. For one, the recruits will see that Fulmer is still at the University who supposedly had second thoughts aboutcoming to UT after Fulmer's departure. Second, it says that UT is not the ruthless beast that everyone claims by his resignation. I believe that Fulmer saw that things weren't getting any better and instead of tearing the fans apart, he resigned out of love for his Alma Mater. I think we can at least give him credit for that. Myself, I would have done it a few years ago, but maybe he thought that he could turn things around. Ok, he didn't and we all know what has happend in the last few years. So, now we have a new coach and success will be determined in the next few years. GO VOLS and congrats to Fulmer.
wagee12 writes:
Bad, bad idea, you don't see many businesses or institutions turning around and giving a fired employee another job. Too bad Clem's Son, Missisucky State and the Barners didn't want him as a football coach. This keeps him in touch with his booster buddies and they will eventually cause problems in the UTAD. Or maybe Peterson just wanted him close by where he could keep an eye on him.
dadavids writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
tripper writes:
What ???
VolinCalif writes:
410 Your pot is beginning to stink so bad you don't need to stir it. Someone must have given you that post, you can't let be or come up with anything new. Go back to school and finish the 3rd grade.
volnknox writes:
great more years with fulmer!!!! Go away coach, you got fired!!! we don't want you here or we would have kept you as HC.
jobrando#216494 writes:
Not much pride after being shafted by UT
LifetimeVolFan98 writes:
Your point????
vols45 writes:
Great!!! He will be a wonderful spokesperson for he university and do a great job. His first assignment should be keeping the president's wife out of the public eye and chaining her foul mouth. No joke here!!!! He could do a world of good.
volnknox writes:
utmama - you should be the one considering getting off this board, if you love fulmer so much , go to bed with him or something!
GreerVol22 writes:
I'm in country410's corner on this one as to why does everyone feel we owe him something, but as for looking over Kiffin's shoulder....could happen...with Kiffin on board we can ill afford some "Reggie Bush" baggage while recruiting...
ncvol writes:
Now I feel better concerning Phil's future. I didn't want him to coach for anyone else. I am glad he will be staying at UT and I am sure we will see him at all the football games to cheer our team on. Best of luck with your new job, Phil. Go Vols !
daved writes:
Must not have
jobrando#216494 writes:
I think it's for Coach Fulmer to be called just Mr. Fulmer
troubleinc writes:
All the haters just need to be quite. Fulmer is a class act and I'm happy he's staying at UT. Congrats CPF.
allVolinGA writes:
What can he possibly do for UT? --Help rake in a lot of cash in fund raising, for one idea. Fulmer himself will likely donate more than UT will pay him. Plus, they may put him in charge of infrastructure that supports students or athletes such as student life center/counseling, graduation rates, etc.
GreerVol22 writes:
upon reflection though, will the folks that have been pro-Fulmer all along continue their spatt everytime we don't make a first down?...something tells me a clean break would be in the best interest of all parties....
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Good luck, Phil.
The dearth of coaching offers is telling.
Now back to getting the Vols competitive.
Major_Magilicutty writes:
this is a mixed bag. we'll see how it pans out, but my instincts lead me to believe that this will be more trouble than it's worth. I hope I'm wrong.
Congrats Fulmer.
username writes:
Did it occur to the haters among us that perhaps Fulmer accepted the position because he actually loves this university and wants to serve in some capacity? Maybe he didn't go to a MSU, Syracuse, or Clemson because he wasn't interested? Or maybe his pride is in the Vols, and nothing else is good enough? Folks, you can hate Fulmer all you want, but that sort of dedication is exactly what I want in ALL of the employees of this fine university.
posivol writes:
another typical so called idiot fan post--check this out fool---fulmer cant develop talent blah blah blah
Jason Allen, Dolphins FS, 1 tackle
Rashad Baker, Raiders DB, 4 tackles
Kevin Burnett, Cowboys LB, 3 tackles, 1 assist, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, 1 QB hurry, 1 pass deflected
Chad Clifton, Packers OT, started
Dustin Colquitt, Chiefs P, 3 punts for 51.0 avg.
Brad Cottam, Chiefs TE, did not record a catch
Shaun Ellis, Jets DE, 8 tackles, 1 assist, 1 QB hurry, 1 forced fumble
Aubrayo Franklin, 49ers NT, 4 tackles, 1 assist
Omar Gaither, Eagles LB, substitution
Deon Grant, Seahawks SS, 4 tackles
Jabari Greer, Bills CB, Inactive
Parys Haralson, 49ers LB, 5 tackles, 3 assists, 1.5 sack, 1 tackle for loss, 2 QB hurries
Albert Haynesworth, Titans DT, 3 tackles, 2 assists, 1 tackle for loss, 1 QB hurry
John Henderson, Jaguars DT, 4 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 QB hurry
Anthony Herrera, Vikings G, started
Mark Jones, Panthers WR, plays Monday vs. Buccaneers
Jamal Lewis, Browns RB, 7 rushes for 7 yards, 2 catches for 3 yards
Peyton Manning, Colts QB, 26-32 for 277 yards, 3 TD's, 134.0 rating
David Martin, Dolphins TE, 2 catches for 20 yards
Jerod Mayo, Patriots LB, 7 tackles, 1 assist
Tony McDaniel, Jaguars DT, Inactive
Robert Meachem, Saints WR, did not record a catch
Marvin Mitchell, Saints LB, 1 tackle
Aaron Sears, Bucs G, plays Monday at Panthers
Donte' Stallworth, Browns WR, 1 catch for 15 yards
Darwin Walker, Panthers DT, plays Monday vs. Buccaneers
Kelley Washington, Patriots WR, Inactive
Scott Wells, Packers C, started
Gibril Wilson, Raiders DB, 4 tackles, 2 assists
Jason Witten, Cowboys TE, 6 catches for 62 yards
now go ahead and compare to other schools--vols are top of the list.
how did saban do against myer saturday 0-1 buddy. and that was with a 12-0 record and a national champioship game on the line. so just stfu!
and please dont forget about our 13-0 record national championship,fulmer didnt choke like the great satan.
just for kicks please tell us your life accomplishments.
dont bother everone already knows your a loser and your posts confirms it.
williamshockley#225607 writes:
Regardless of what others think I believe this is a good move for the University. As a loyal UT graduate; the perception following the "resignation" news conference is that the University was not sensitive to Fulmer's long standing committment to UT. I am glad Phillip can be a part of the University he still loves. I don't see him critizing Kiffin the way former coaches critized their replacements.
pupvol writes:
He just has to stay around and haunt people.go home phil and forget about it please!
zqvol writes:
You don't get it do you.
He has no desire to leave Knoxville for any other position.
Take your trash and go home.
He is not working for the athletic department but for the president's office. Do you criticize other academic side hires?
Of course not.
Get off your high horse and shut your garbage up. It is old and no one cares. At least Coach Fulmer has class which is more than can be said about you!
daved writes:
I agree, sounds like they created a job for him, tuition going up and they made a job for this man wonder how much pay he's getting, no way should he have anything to do with the football program if he has anything to do with it look out we will have problems . Just can't get this guy out of the pitcher.
Moaninglikeheck writes:
Good grief.
Hooray, congrats Phil! Once a Vol, always a Vol. Your fingerprint on UT history will never be smudged.
joebomb writes:
I can't believe the idiots still bashing on here. I was wanting the change more than anyone and we got it. He's working under the prez, do you really think you're gonna see him 24/7? It's great that we are keeping the "family" part of UT in tact. That's what so many ex-players rave about and that's what future recruits liked. That can only help having him still part of the university.
orngbluded writes:
come on are you still on this you have posted this way too many times,who cares we have moved on,just in case you havent heard we have a new coach now his name is Lane Kiffin.so who cares what fulmers record was,we all know what he did.
daved writes:
can't get this guy out of the pitcher.
keithvol1971 writes:
I'm not sure if you realized this or not. Coach Fulmer is not our coach anymore. We hired a new one, his name is Lane Kiffin. There is no need in putting your stupid posts anymore. You moron!
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