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Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer celebrates after Daniel Lincoln kicks a field goal against Vanderbilt last season.
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"This is not an easy day for me or my family. It’s not a day that I sought or accepted easily. As a young sophomore playing for coach Dickey, that field outside is where I first got my jersey dirty playing in a big game for Tennessee. It was September 27, 1969. I was 19 years old. We were playing Auburn on television that day, something rare for Tennessee at that time, and we whipped a higher ranked Auburn team. Tennessee football has been the focus of my professional life ever since. I am a very lucky man. Very few people in this world are fortunate enough to get to pursue their true passions for even a little while. I have been pursuing my passion since that day here against Auburn 38 years ago.
"I’m a family man and proud of it. My son and daughters and Vicki mean everything to me. But my family is bigger than just my children and my wife. We have been very blessed to include thousands of players, dozens of coaches and millions of Tennessee fans in our family. We just came off a 2007 season where we played for the championship in Atlanta for the fifth time in 17 years. That’s an average of every third year we were in Atlanta. However, this 2008 season has not gone as well as anyone would like. That includes me, our coaches, our players, our administration and our great fans. Many fans have been supportive, some have been angry. All of us are disappointed. Tennessee has high expectations for its football team, and I’m proud that the accomplishments over the last 17 years have been part of such high expectations. Our Tennessee family is united in its goals, but divided in the right path to get there. I love Tennessee too much to let her stay divided. That is why I accept the university’s decision that this will be my last season as Tennessee’s head football coach. I am more than confident that our staff and our players will turn this trend around. Our history proves it. Our recruiting for this year proved it. I have invested a lot of my life into this university and wish nothing but the best for its continued success. And I will help my successor if needed, or asked for in any possible. I love this university, and I hope everyone knows that beyond a shadow of a doubt. I thank my family for allowing me to do this job as an assistant coach for 13 years and as the head coach for 17 years. They have sacrificed much, but also had some wonderful experiences and lifetime memories. I thank all the young men and all the families that trusted us to attend UT and proudly wear the orange and white. In almost all cases, our teams have enjoyed success, and just as I did, our young men grew from their experiences on the field as young men and as students. I thank all the coaches and support groups that have helped me fight the battles on the field, on the recruiting trail and with the development of our young men. Most are and will be (missed) for life."
"I thank my close friends who have encouraged me when things are tough and celebrated many great victories with me. I thank Doug Dickey and Joe Johnson, two great men who believed in me and trusted me. I hope I’ve made them proud. I thank our fans who have supported me and our teams in Neyland Stadium, in Tempe, Ariz., at great victories in Athens, Ga., and Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, Ala., Gainesville, at Notre Dame, at Baton Rouge and at Miami and in Atlanta. I’m very proud of all we have accomplished here at UT. We’ve won more than most anyone at any school ever has. We’ve had some of UT’s greatest teams, we’ve had many of its greatest players, and we’ve done it right by the NCAA’s rules. I’ll remember fondly the battles we fought to get to the 150 victories and wish nothing but the best for my alma mater in the future."
"I am not certain what the future holds for me professionally. I am pleased the university wants me to stay on board in some capacity. It’s very difficult for me to call this an end to my coaching career. Right now I’m focused on these young men that I recruited to be here with this football team. We have three games left, and I will give them my full devotion to make sure we finish in a positive way. When those games are over, I will step back and reflect. With this decision behind us, I am very hopeful and very confident that the Tennessee people will rally around our young men and start the new road right now. These players have worked hard and deserve it. The young men out there who will be Vols next year need to see it as well."
"As I close, I want to thank the Tennessee people for all the opportunities I’ve been given and earned here. I’ve been blessed to work hard at a job every day doing something that never felt like a job. I was doing something that I loved. Vicki and my son and daughters are lucky to be Volunteers, and we will say thank you to everyone who loves the Vols."
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Comments » 43
rockitwithrespect writes:
thank you coach fulmer for years of enjoyment
khelton657 writes:
Interesting perspective, Kosmo...
CT_VOL writes:
Very sad indeed. But it was time.
Frank
cdldoc#211897 writes:
Kosmo,
Someday when things go bad for you I would like to be able to disparage you in print. Again, have a nice ruptured cerebrovascular aneurysm, twit.
CT_VOL writes:
If the players are so mad, they can show us by demolishing their opponents in the remaining games. Now that would be a statement!
Frank
woodwr#217203 writes:
If he had gotten a longer term OC instead of two years of Cutcliffe, he might have limped over the weak rookie QB year.
The ultimate failure was in replacement staff hiring.
Who thought Dave Clawson could possibly be that much worse than Randy Sanders?
cardinalvol writes:
Kosmo
You are an idiot!
He deserves respect and dignity and you have given him none!
Thanks coach!!!!!!
tnbigg writes:
I'm wondering if the Adams conspiracy theorists will gradualy observe that the story banner all over the website is in Bama crimson and will advance the theory that Adams did that deliberately...
trivol writes:
Thanks Phil!
kb7398#233189 writes:
Be careful what you wish for "fans." Enjoy becoming the laughing stock of the SEC...a possible two sub-.500 seasons in 17 years and this is the thanks he gets...
He deserved a lot better and all of you that say "it was time," or "about time," or "throw out the milk when it goes bad" it makes my blood boil. Kosmo was probably one of millions of Vol fans that celebrated when we won it all in 1998 and then 10 years later forgot who led the Big Orange through all these years. I'll bet Kosmo was even one of the wolves wanting an "innovative" offensive coordinator that knew the spread.
Congrats you jerks. I hope you're happy when the next guy coming in can't keep the commitments we have and we get blistered REGULARLY by South Carolina, Kentucky and Vandy.
Remember, this is what you wanted wolves...Hamilton, Haslam and all the other know-it-all's involved have enabled you. Deal with it. I'm not sure if the Vols deserve to have me as a fan if they can't treat the best coach in the last 50 years with any more respect and dignity than that.
Here's hoping Fulmer ends up some place like Clemson then gives it to us for old time's sake.
He deserved WAY better.
gslaton#227127 writes:
Coach Fulmer knows the vultures will be picking his bones. I,for one, am glad to celebrate all of the great things he did for Tennessee football. He is a rare breed. Events overcame him in the last few years, but he remained a class act. Spurrier will be remembered for his snide remarks. Meyer will be remembered for running up the score for his own benefit. Saban will be remembered for having no loyalty. Fulmer..if he had a fault...was his loyalty to those who gave him their best, even when it was not in his best interest. Qualities that we all would love to see in a company or cause to which we gave our all. I wish him the very best. Thanks for the memories!
fortandrews writes:
Thanks you Phil. You gave all of us a GREAT ride. I wish for you nothing less than the VERY BEST. You are a true gentleman.
volsthunder writes:
Thats the entire problem..cant continue to live 10 years ago. Maybe you are right, maybe we dont deserve you or even want you as a fan! Deal with that!
ajbake writes:
during the press conference, fulmer's wife should have fixed his jacket that was a few sizes too big
beatlecakes writes:
For a true fan of UT this is a sad day. A sad day indeed. If you did not tear up as Coach Fulmer reflected on his years and major victories you were not listening! Here is a twist, what if in a strange twist of fate, Hamilton is fired for a bad decison in a contract extension and the University in order to save millions, hires Fulmer to be the AD?
donswartz writes:
god bless fulmer and his family. thanks for making us a presence in the sec. it was your high standards that made us tennessee. when you are successful it is hard to compete with yourself. it is what it is. thanks you will go down in history.
mjaichele#464960 writes:
Puhleeseeeeeeeeeeeee, when you get paid multi-millions and you don't produce, what else can you expect. Money talks and BS walks, and that is exactly what this and all of major college football is all about. Enjoy the money, you can bet your azzz he will.
mgdchvol writes:
Fulmer = Honesty, commitment, Volunteer!
Thank you Phillip!
volnga writes:
Thanks coach and fu to all who wanted him gone for you no nothing of college football. Time will show u aholes all you need. I will not visit this site again
panavol writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
posivol writes:
thanks for doing it the right way coach,todays fans dont understand loyalty.to young to have done anything for 35 years, much less to have done it successfully.
then again thats the reason you have millions banked and their busting their rump to buy a ticket.
frank6x#212809 writes:
Coach Fulmer has given everything to the program, and the results have usually been good. A National Championship is nothing to discount. But things change, and sometimes a change can be good. The game seems to have passed him by and the young buck coaches like Meyer, and Saban, are bringing something new to the table, and we've not responded.
God speed, Phil Fulmer. Thanks for the good times.
ctexorange writes:
I back that guy Kosmo who is the true representation of a Tennessee fan. Low on Class, high on anything he can get his hands on and he thinks he is George W. Bush. A true UT republican. Loser at heart and loser in words. He is probably a mortgage broker. Good luck to you volunteer fans. I think the other Orange has more class and I never really thought I would ever say that.
ULTIMATEVOLUNTEER writes:
If you took the name off the article and presented it as a resume...it would be hard not to Hire this person...much less fire him!
weisgarber2003#313889 writes:
aketron writes:
He is a great recruiter and I don't think it would hurt to keep him in some capacity that would incorporate that."
If Fulmer cannot get a coaching job of some substance (not likely at 58), he might bite the bullet and take a ceremonial job with UT. But the hard feelings he has and will continue to have toward Hamilton and those fans who didn't appreciate his brand of mediocre football seems to mitigate against his staying at U.T. Fulmer will go fishing for a coaching job, or perhaps network analyst job and if that doesn't bear fruit he might stay at U.T.
Moaninglikeheck writes:
Fulmer indicated, I don't know if you realize it, that he is not ready to accept "not being involved in coaching".
I quote:
"I am not certain what the future holds for me professionally. I am pleased the university wants me to stay on board in some capacity. It’s very difficult for me to call this an end to my coaching career."
That was an invitation to any school that may entertain it that he's still got the desire to coach. I'm not sure if any SEC teams would be interested. The only programs that MIGHT be are Vandy, Miss State., Kentucky, MAYBE Auburn but I doubt it. Everyone else has a coach who either has a lot of rope or has proven himself more recently.
I would LOVE to see Fulmer go to Kentucky. I don't know the status of his relationship with Sanders, not sure if its even relevant. There would be some real Karma, though, if the team he has dominated his entire career hired him to exact "revenge" on Tennessee. I doubt he has the heart to do that though.
Fulmer isn't the horrible coach you think he is. He may get new life at another program who'll tap his recruiting skills. Kentucky, are you listening?
weisgarber2003#313889 writes:
", Hamilton is fired for a bad decison in a contract extension and the University in order to save millions, hires Fulmer to be the AD?"
Fulmer would certainly grab at that hypothetical situation. And he has some experience in using his influence to push people aside. Certainly if he stayed at U.T. he would probably remember his "removal press conference", and if the opportunity arose to use his influence to try and move someone out again, Fulmer would be up to the challenge.
tenuscvol writes:
agree...
THEKIDWI writes:
Let me first preface this by saying that I was on the fence and could have been talked into one more year, but after he allowed Clawson to pull Nick Saturday night, that lost me and I think he lost the team and a change needed to be made.
I posted this thought elsewhere but it bears repeating, 17 years is a long freak'n time nowadays. Short of Bowden and Joe Pa who off the tops of your heads has been with their program even 10 years? Coach Fulmer had a good run, but it's run it's course and change is needed.
That being said, the Coach Fulmer bashing and joy in him leaving has got to stop. That shows a total lack of class. You are not UT fans. You can disagree with the way things have gone the last number of years, his hiring of Clawson (I sure do), etc., but the bashing, not good.
You watch the PC and tell me that you have half as much invested in the University of Tennessee as Coach Fulmer. He's done a lot for the Vols during his stay here and he needs to be respected on his way out.
I'm going to be shocked if we don't win out and even though it's going to be a .com bowl, there's no way a bowl isn't going to want Tennesseee in the last game Fulmer will coach for them.
Thank You Coach Fulmer.
Volunteerfan writes:
To all you so called "fans" that are on here blasting CPF...SHUT UP!!!. I agree that the game has passed coach by and that it was time to step down, but a true fan, and not some band wagon jumper who is on the bandwagon when the team is winning, someone who sticks with the Vols through thick and thin knows the unbelievable accomplishments of Coach Fulmer. He is a man that is to be respected and thanked for what he has done for this program for close to 40 years.
eschroeder writes:
I'm a Fulmer fan, but "a network analyst job"?! Do you ever watch the Phillip Fulmer Show? They wouldn't have him on the Knitting channel. After every bad play all he'd have to say is "they'l have to watch the film and work like heck to get better."
FWBVol writes:
Kosmo, Phillip Fulmer is a man that has poured more of himself into the University of Tennessee than you will probably give to anything.
To say that Phillip Fulmer needs to learn to throw the football is like saying Nolan Ryan needed some lessons on throwing a fastball. Maybe Fulmer didn't event the forward pass, but guys like Manning, Casey Clausen, Erik Ainge and Heath Shuler rewrote the record book in passing yards at UT.
We don't need a good coach to replace Phillip Fulmer, we need a great coach. And even the greatest coach available, whom ever that might be, won't bleed Orange the way Phillip Fulmer does.
Maybe I'm reading between the lines, but I get the idea that coach Fulmer believes he might have enough support from big money donors to fight for his job, but instead he decided to do what he feels is best for a school he loves.
FWBVol writes:
Thank You Phillip Fulmer for representing our University of Tennessee with class and dignity. Thanks for doing the right thing even when it put a bulls eye on your back with other programs. Thanks for never getting us in hot water with the NCAA.
Thanks for bringing in players like Peyton, Tee, Al Wilson, Peerless Price, E-Mo, Eric Berry and hundreds of others that have given all of us so many wonderful memories.
Thanks for giving your all to the University of Tennessee all of your adult life.
You will be missed.
WestTennVol writes:
Say what you will about the man, but even in his 'I just got canned speech' he made a plug to encourage next years recruits to stand firm in their decision to play for Tennessee. Classy guy? I'd say so. As a long time Fulmer supporter even I agree a change needed to be made....but not like this, he deserves much better because he's GIVEN much better to all of us.
el_duderino writes:
I'm 21 years old and a senior at UT. I've been following UT football since I can remember. I used to listen to the play by play calls of John Ward with my dad by the fire. I heard through text message and listened to the press conference live on the radio and actually cried when i heard Fulmer's speech, this is all I have to say.....
Coach, all I can remember is you and the Vols running on to the field. Ever since I was a little kid, I can remember John Ward calling the games and you coached. It absolutely broke my heart to hear your resignation speech today. It devastated me. I'm truly grateful for everything that you've done for this school, the players, the teams, and the other coaches. You will forever be a vol and hold a special place in my heart and the hearts of many others. Best of luck on all your endeavors, love you coach.
Go Vols
kabul_vol writes:
"This season, as the Vols slid further into the abyss, coaches from other schools pounced on Tennessee's recruiting class members. Tampa (Fla.) Gaither High running back Jarvis Giles, the rare recruit who wants to leave the Sunshine State to play college ball, stuck with the Vols through the downturn. But on Monday, when he got the bad news from first-year Tennessee running backs coach Stan Drayton, Giles realized he needs to examine his choices.
"Pretty much, [Drayton] told me to look at Option B," said Giles, who plans to enroll at his chosen school in January. "He didn't want me to get caught up in this mess." For Giles, Option B is either South Carolina, Clemson or Boston College, with the Gamecocks holding the edge."
-------
Cut this from a story. I guess Coach Stan Drayton sees the writing on the walls and knows he has no chance of being retained. You would think the prudent thing to say to a recruit during this time would be "don't make any rash decisions, just wait and see what happens and who gets hired", etc. Because now, if by some boneheaded decision Clawson, Drayton et al are retained (I sure hope not) then he's going to look like a fool trying to recruit these kids.
rockytop4ever writes:
I will 2nd that. We will miss you Coach. Thanks for the memories. Its a sad day for UT.
98reax writes:
THEKIDWI, very good post. Refreshing to read something of substance. Compassion is always a class act. Phil Fulmer deserves more than this rancorous castigation.
givehim6 writes:
There is no dought Phil loves UT, so UT needs to love him by keeping him on staff in some way. I do think it was time for him to move from head coach to some management position, and hand the reigns over to someone more in tune with coaching not just mentoring.
weisgarber2003#313889 writes:
"Maybe I'm reading between the lines, but I get the idea that coach Fulmer believes he might have enough support from big money donors to fight for his job, but instead he decided to do what he feels is best for a school he loves."
It seems that Fulmer did think that he had enough support to continue, as he referred to his support among boosters/donors at least once when the resignation question began to get critical mass. It was almost as if there was a sort of power play between Hamilton and Fulmer, one Hamilton) having the ultimate authority to make a change and the other (Fulmer) thinking he was bigger in stature than he really was/is. Fulmer pointed out that this was the univesity's decision, one that he didn't want, so he did what was best, so to speak, because he really didn't have any other option. Hamilton had all the cards, ace high.
weisgarber2003#313889 writes:
"I'm a Fulmer fan, but "a network analyst job"?! Do you ever watch the Phillip Fulmer Show? They wouldn't have him on the Knitting channel. After every bad play all he'd have to say is "they'l have to watch the film and work like heck to get better.""
Well, the networks would obviously prefer someone more thoughtful and articulate than Fulmer. No one ever accused him of being expressive with the King's English. But, with a little rehearsal, it is possible Fulmer could possibly become expressive enough to do a few sound bites for one of the halftime or pregame shows. And since those shows like ratings numbers, in the short run Fulmer might attract a little attention for a show. Just a thought.
msgrumpy#670066 writes:
I also thank Coach Fulmer for all the years he has given to Tennessee. He is indeed a class act and a great spokesman for a great university. Wishing you all the best!!
pamelarbryant#205595 writes:
I THIRD THE MOTION, COACH, A TRUE VOL FAN WILL WISH YOU MANY MORE YEARS COACHING IF THAT IS WHAT YOU CHOOSE TO DO. WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE TO DO, YOU WILL SUCCEED WITH IT AS YOU DID WITH THE VOLS AND I FOR ONE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT WHEN I BECAME A VOL FAN, COACH FULMER WAS THE MAN LEADING MY TEAM TO VICTORY. PHIL YOU WILL BE SADLY MISSED BY ANYONE THAT KNOWS HOW MUCH OF YOU THAT YOU PUT INTO THIS TEAM AND THIS SCHOOL. I CANNOT IMAGINE WATCHING A GAME WITHOUT YOU RUNNING OUT ON THAT FIELD WITH YOUR BOYS AND I AM SURE YOUR BOYS FEEL THAT TOO. YOU GAVE SOME OF THE BEST YEARS OF YOUR LIFE TO THIS SCHOOL AND THIS TEAM AND FOR THAT, UNIV OF TN IS LETTING A GREAT MAN GO IN THE MAN THAT YOU ARE. YOU HAVE GIVEN IT YOUR ALL AND YOUR VERY BEST, YOU HAVE MANY GOOD YEARS LEFT IN YOU BUT I CANT IMAGINE YOU ANYPLACE BUT TN. GOOD LUCK COACH AND GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. MAY THEY BE WITH YOU NOW AS YOU BEGIN A NEW JOURNEY, WHATEVER IT MAY BE.
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