Reaction to the news about Phillip Fulmer

  • By Jack Lail
  • Posted November 3, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. , updated November 3, 2008 at 4:27 p.m.
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UT Coach Phillip Fulmer

Photo by Amy Smotherman Burgess // Buy this photo

UT Coach Phillip Fulmer

UT Coach Phillip Fulmer

Photo by Amy Smotherman Burgess
Buy this photo »

UT Coach Phillip Fulmer

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Here's a sampling of the reaction to the news that Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer is out as head coach. It's one of hte biggest stories of the sports day nationwide.

We will be updating these links through the day.

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Comments » 75

tnbigg writes:

Goodbye...very well deserved...

VOLnChattTown writes:

Fulmer's expression in the photo describes the way I've felt for years while sitting in the stands in Neyland stadium.

He will be living like a king with $1.5 million each year for the next 4 years!!!

TennesseeTominTexas writes:

I am sorry for Phil but extremely happy for the program. If we had waited until the end of the season, any hopes of getting the best available would have been gone. Thanks Phil... Thanks for the memories of years gone by... Thanks for seeing that the program needed change.

volnbig11land writes:

Thanks Coach for all you did and good luck in the future.

TennesseeTominTexas writes:

I hope this is not a repeat. My first attempt did not come through:

I am sorry for Phil but extremely happy for the program. If we had waited until the end of the season, any hopes of getting the best available would have been gone. Thanks Phil... Thanks for the memories of years gone by... Thanks for seeing that the program needed change.

markr22vols writes:

Great Coach, Great Career, may have just waited too long. Farewell Coach. Good Luck!

mjq22 writes:

Now that weve got what we wished for, who is a likely candidate? Anyone for going after Trooper Taylor. Every position he coached for us in the past excelled. Now he is at Oklahoma State and they are playing better than ever. Great recruiter, great motivator, not sure bout his x's and o's but thats what coordinators are for. Young and motivated kinda like Phil once was.

bigorangefan79 writes:

We love you Fulmer. Good timing, maybe by the next SEC game in two weeks some of the distraction will have faded.

lewhs93#205993 writes:

Thanks Coach.Hated to see it end this way.GOOD LUCK.

RockyTop1998 writes:

Seeeeeeeeeeeeeee ya

bigorangefan79 writes:

Now let's focus on winning out and sending him off with 154 wins.

nowinSCbutloveTennessee writes:

Be careful what you wish for --- often the "known" is better than the "unknown." We may some day have a "better" coach, but we will never find one who loves the Tennessee program as much as Coach Fulmer!

rockytopsam writes:

thanks for everything u did phil...feel bad for him he was a good coach and loves the university of tennessee...best of luck

dfreeman writes:

tnbigg - Deserved? You know that how? What he has put into this University you couldn't comprehend in 40 lifetimes! Majors has been gone for how long? Let that go! You remind me of an Alabubba fan and their passion for raising dead bears every year!

Fulmer - I for one will miss seeing you on the sidelines! Thanks for the 30 years you gave to the University and for the 17 as HC! Hold your head up and smile because life just got a little easier for you and your family!

diggerland17#448133 writes:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

jsquiggy13#622345 writes:

The KNS got scooped again. imagine that. Too Funny!

bobbyutvol writes:

THANK YOU FOR YOU GREAT SERVICE AND EFFORT. ALTHOUGH I AM A LITTLE SAD TIMES CHANGE AND I DONT THINK YOU CHANGED WITH THEM. GOOD LUCK COACH

Go4Two writes:

History tells us it will take at least 2 coaching changes before we get it right. Replacing a great coach is tough.

Doobz15 writes:

What is so good about Lane Kiffin? Has he proven anything as a HC? He shows zero emotion and he got it handed to him in the NFL. I think he is a product of exceptional talent at USC. Lets get someone who has done more with less.

zqvol writes:

This is a sad day in the history of Tennessee football, and the start of a long downturn in a once storied program.

This decision was made to appease the fans, not based on what is in the best interest of the program.

The likelihood of getting even an equivalent coach is somewhere between slim and none.

reachkim00 writes:

See ya, take Clawson with you.
GO LADY VOLS!!!!!!!

gslaton#227127 writes:

Phil Fulmer is a great coach and role model for young men. He took UT football to the next level in the 90's. It is a sad day for UT football. But, like any organization, there will always be someone out there who's better. The 'legions of the miserable' will always be there and some will never be happy..but, the Vols live on! All the best to Coach Fulmer. Hopefully, now, you and your family can get some sleep!

givehim6 writes:

I gess Steve did it, he got the last lick on Phil. I hope there will not be a rush made to replace Phil, time will be taken to find the wright person to fill his shoes.

Volalumnus writes:

Fulmer supporters were largely responsible for his downfall.
Instead of realistic support they became supporters of anything and all things Fulmer.
More realistic support would have put pressure on Fulmer to make more reasonable changes years ago instead of arrogantly insisting to work like heck to do things the same way.
Pressure got too great to be held by just the die hard supporters any longer and it blew up.

Volalumnus writes:

Is this thing working or not?

asand211#361548 writes:

As much as I hate for Fulmer's career at Tennessee to end on a down season I know, without a doubt, this is the right direction for the program. The last post by zqvol is beyond ridiculous when he says this decision was to appease the fans and not in the best interest of the program. The stats over the last 8 years tell a different story, however, some depend on emotions rather than facts.

With that being said, Fulmer took this program to the ranks of the elite in the 90's and everything he's done for the program will not be forgotten. What should be remembered most is that the yearly expectation of the Vol nation to have a winning football team was created by Fulmer. It was he who led Tennessee to the top of the SEC and to a national championship so I hope those things are not forgotten as he makes his exit.

Alabaster_Jones writes:

I like Butch Davis, Mike Leach or the Coach at Tulsa. If you can get good players to come to Texas Tech or Tulsa, you can get great players to come to Knoxville.

Good Riddence Fulmer

blitzshoot writes:

Fulmer...The UT ATM is now CLOSED!

shipperman#280095 writes:

dvolfan, a lot of us are happy now

tnbanker_govols writes:

The fact that Kiffin was looking at the UW job may have sparked for a decision this early. I definitely think Kiffin is in the running for the HC job. It's going to be an exciting next couple of months for this program.

Now people, don't get crazy. UT football will be okay. I still believe we have a talented group of players it's just that it was Fulmer's time to leave. Nothing against Fulmer.....I applaud him for stepping down as he did. Say what you want, Fulmer has always been a man of character. I'm glad he chose to step down. As I am saying this, it's also a very exciting time for Tennessee Football. I believe that better days are ahead. GO VOLS!!

PureOrange writes:

Thanks to Coach Fulmer for more than 30 years of dedication to Tennessee. I wish Coach Fulmer and his family well.
The time has come for a change, but it should not take away from the fact that he gave us his best. The program is not where we want it to be, but I do not believe that Coach Fulmer gave us anything less than his best.
College football has changed, but unfortunately, Coach Fulmer was not able to change enough with it. He has been too engrained in playing to keep from losing instead of focusing on winning.
I know it is hard, but I hope Coach Fulmer and his family can understand that while many of us wanted to go in a different direction, we will always appreciate what Coach Fulmer has done for UT.
May God bless you and your family, Coach. Thanks for the memories.

bhjohnso#207063 writes:

trooper taylor = overrated. hasn't called 1 play for Okie State this year. needs to be a HC somewhere else and successful at it before you'd even think of bringing him to a place like Tennessee.

My short list in no particular order:
Brewster, Brian Kelly, Leach, Davis

Hopefully those in charge will do their homework and make the right call, even if it's a different name than those above.

As for Fulmer, it was time, but it is a bittersweet day. Wish him the best in whatever he decides to do from this point.

djstatik writes:

Thanks for the great memories in the 90's Phil. I wish you the best. Enjoy the millions! P.S. Make sure to take the rest of the coaching with you.

Major_Magilicutty writes:

He did a great deal for UT, and is largely responsible for why we have the high expectations we do. I am still torn on this decision, but I guess we'll see how this pans out.

wizardofvolz writes:

This is I hope, a rumor! My God this can't be happening. I hope this to say that Clawson is leaving the program. Say it a'int so coach! SAY IT A"INT SO!!!!!

Triton1 writes:

Sad day, after today I'll be exited and VERY nervous about the future.

agentorange writes:

Since everyone is in the firing mood, can we fire John Adams too? Let's start fresh all around. We'll be starting fresh with a new AD if Hamilton screws this up.

yeavols#228407 writes:

The " Be careful what you wish for" mantra is about as TRITE and LAME as saying to ALABAMA you should have kept your previous coaches instead of hiring Saban. Save it for someone who is listening or write your Dear John letters to your Dear Diary. Fulmer made the right decision. No shame in resiging especially when you made millions, streets were named after you, and championships were reached. Fulmer will always be part of the UT family so everything will be fine in the future. Now let's go get that coach that can give Alabama, Florida, Georgia something to think about besides Fulmer's weight and donuts. Thank GOD we don't have to hear that crapola again!

Volalumnus writes:

Sounds like Adams was on target at the end of last season.
Just because you didn't want to hear it means exactly what?

jobrando#216494 writes:

Just clean house. Mr Hamilton go outside the family for another Bruce Pearl. Please keep Fulmer out of the selection process. Nothing worse than having to be the new coach, and have to work in the shadow of a legend.

GoVol writes:

My reaction: What the 'h' took you so long?

No matter who the next coach is, there is no way he could do any worse than Fulmer this year.

dobber writes:

I wish the best for phillip fulmer, but you can not loose to all your major rivals and keep your job. The man has gave his life to this university and made us one of the most dominate teams in the 90's. BUT!! this is a buisness and when your donors aint donating, and fans are selling there tickets to the opposing team then its time for a new product to display. I just hope we make the right decision right away and dont have a Ron Zook before we get our Urban Meyar, or get a Shula before a Saben. The next guy we get will have to have a flashy offense to make Tennessee attractive, and thats why I like Mike Leach from Texas Tech the guy is beating big programs with lesser talent, and I believe his style of offense will shake up the SEC like Urban Meyars has with Florida!!!!!

middleTNvol writes:

I hate to see it end the way it did with Coach Fulmer. I am only 24 so this is basically the only UT coach I have ever known. Good Luck Coach and Go Vols!!

OrangeAndWhite4Life writes:

Thanks to CPF for what he did and meant to the University during his tenure as head coach. I do wish him well in whatever direction he chooses in the future.

As for the next head coach, let's get here and start turning this program around.

GO Vols !!

GainesvilleVol1 writes:

Its a sad day for me as a UT Fan. Coach Fulmer gave us many many happy memories. However, I do agree that it was time for a change. The game has changed, and Coach Fulmer didn't keep up. Good Luck to Him, and hopefully he will remain a Tennessee Home Grown Hero. Lets take our time and due diligence to find a coach who not only wins, but will represent our University with honor, and demands his players are good citizens.

blitzshoot writes:

Steve Spurrier...welcome

blitzshoot writes:

Steve Spurrier

vol98 writes:

This sucks. I think everyone is ready for a change, but to see CPF go out like this makes me sad. I just hope we see more Oklahoma and less Nebraska in our future.

whocares writes:

To Coach Fulmer: Thank you for your years of service to our program.

The years you have served us have been ones filled with highs and lows and for that you have my deepest appreciation.

I for one, will look back on all of it and have fond memories of a man, my entire family welcomed into their hearts and feel proud they had the privilege of seeing how it's done with passion, drive, integrity,love and christian principles.

Being a husband and father it was great to see your devotion to your wife and daughters by having them at your side through all your years at and after the games. It speaks volumes of where you place priorities. The long list of young men that you have guided to manhood does the same. God Bless Coach, and I for one will always have fond memories of your tenure on, "The Hill" and you'll always be a VOL in mine and countless others hearts.

Major_Magilicutty writes:

bitter sweet....it really is.

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