Douglas says son not planning to transfer

David Douglas said his son, Tennessee freshman tight end Aaron Douglas, is committed to playing for the Vols.

"He's not leaving. He's not transferring," the former UT offensive lineman said Thursday on the News Sentinel's radio show, The Sports Page. "We're just looking into things that any parent would do to be prepared just in case something didn't work out."

Douglas is one of many parents who have contacted UT's compliance office to check on transfer rules. Douglas maintained that his son was not the driving force behind those inquiries.

"Aaron had nothing to do with that," David Douglas said. "All I did was inquire like any parent would."

David Douglas said his son chose UT, in part, because of coach Phillip Fulmer's presence. David Douglas is still close to Fulmer, who was Douglas' position coach in the mid-1980s.

That relationship certainly fueled some public comments David Douglas made about UT's decision to dismiss Fulmer on Monday. David Douglas said he didn't regret the comments.

"The guy has been a mentor of mine for 25 years," he said.

Aaron Douglas was the News Sentinel's top prospect in the state for the class of 2008. He committed to UT in July 2006 before his junior season.

"If we were selfish," David Douglas said, "we would have taken off to some bigger program that was loaded and say 'Let's go win like we did at Maryville.' "

Aaron Douglas was part of an undefeated class at Maryville. The Rebels are now 70-0.

David Douglas said he understands the decision to oust Fulmer even if he doesn't agree with it.

It was obvious that he had grown tired of the criticism from talk radio callers and message board posters had prompted about his public stance.

"If people don't like that, I really don't care," Douglas said. "I forgot more football than a lot of people know."

Wild One: Of all the supporters that have publicly criticized UT for dismissing Fulmer, wildlife expert Jack Hanna was the most surprising.

Hanna, who grew up in Knoxville and has taken trips with Fulmer, came to the coach's defense on the Sports Page.

"I feel for the whole family," Hanna said. "They've got a gold mine in Phil Fulmer."

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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