Audio slide show
Stats
Through the years
Your photos
Poll
Vol Vent
- Call into the Vol Vent and leave a message for Phillip Fulmer. Call 865-686-6033
Tennessee Stat Book
As I watched Phillip Fulmer make his way through the "T" Saturday night for the final time, it brought back many memories. It took me all the way back to the first time I was introduced to Tennessee football.
I came to Knoxville in the summer of 1996 from Odessa, Texas. I'd heard about Tennessee football and what an experience Saturdays at Neyland Stadium were all about.
As I arrived at the stadium for the nationally televised game between the Vols and UCLA, I really didn't know where to go. Someone told me where I needed to be to truly experience how special the 'T' was. Since I had a media sideline pass, it gave me the opportunity to get where few people had the chance to go.
So, I made my way to the tunnel on the north side of Shields-Watkins Field. Before anyone else could get into place, I positioned myself right next to the tunnel.
You have to realize that I had never been in a stadium with more than 100,000 screaming people. As I stood there, I noticed the band coming my way. Just as I got wrapped up in the band, I looked to my right and there was Fulmer. With the team right behind him, Fulmer stopped next to me.
Shoulder to shoulder we watched the band march toward us. On the other side of Fulmer was the CBS producer with his headset. We stood there for what seemed an eternity waiting for the green light for the team to follow their head coach on to the field.
All of a sudden the band opened up like the Red Sea and the CBS producer yelled, "Go, go, go." Fulmer began to run toward the opening with his players behind him. At that moment, I was one huge goosebump. I'd never seen anything like it. With light bulbs going off all over the stadium, the Vols headed out for another win.
So, flash forward a national championship, two SEC titles, two losing seasons and a now former coach later. I've watched the Vols run through the 'T' about 75 times, but none like what we saw last night. Once again, I positioned myself next to the tunnel so that I could experience a different entrance by Fulmer.
As I stood there, I thought about what is different now than in '96. The first thing that I thought of were the players following their head coach on to the field. I didn't see anybody that made me think of Peyton Manning, Leonard Little, Chad Clifton, Al Wilson, Joey Kent, Marcus Nash, Jeff Hall. The list went on and on. It dawned on me that the difference wasn't X's and O's, it is the Jimmy's and Joe's.
It also hit me that this morning is the first time in the modern era that Tennessee football has gone a day without a coach. When the change occurred in 1992 from Johnny Majors to Fulmer, the program essentially had two head coaches. You could argue that the program hasn't gone a day without a head coach since 1963.
So much talk has been made about it being the last game for Fulmer, but what about assistants like John Chavis, Dan Brooks and Steve Caldwell. Those three coaches have a combined 48 years of coaching service to Tennessee. Throw in the fact that Chavis played for the Vols for three years (1976-78) and you see why Saturday night was such a tough night for the Tennessee family.
To steal a line from former UT defensive end Will Overstreet, this isn't a funeral, nobody died. But, it is an unparalleled time in UT history. Sure we've heard all the talk of a press conference early in the week to announce Lane Kiffin as the new coach. But, that coach won't be a Vol. He won't be Tennessee through and through.
How many times have we heard the phrase thrown out about Tennessee football being about family? I'm not questioning athletic director Mike Hamilton's decision to make a change at the top. I think there's always a time for change. But, when you see a family member leaving the house, it's always tough. And, watching Fulmer run out for the last time was one of those moments in this program's history that many Vol fans will never forget.
As for Hamilton's decision, you may question the timing, but with a track record like he has he deserves a chance at this. His hire of men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl was genius. His facility improvements have been a huge success. Hamilton has been an excellent athletic director. If you think the decision was tough for UT fans to stomach, imagine how he must have felt sitting up there at that press conference.
Tennessee football is in a place at this very moment that it has never been before. Let's hope it gets back to where it was a decade ago sooner than later.
Mark Packer hosts the Locker Room, presented by Parkwest Medical Center, on Sunday at 10 p.m. on MyVLT2.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
UT's new $45 million football…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 38
Alumni_06 writes:
thanks for the memories
tenuscvol writes:
The family will be changed forever...
Let's hope it's not for the worse...
Our school has definitely had the advantage of a long run from a home boy and it's been great...
lots of love on the hill...
GoVols!
Go Gators! (Sorry, just hate Bama more...)
tnbigg writes:
Good luck to you and your family...
DennisVols writes:
Glad to see this team go out with a win. Fulmer deserves to leave Neyland with a win.
Go Vols
khelton657 writes:
Very sad...had to be done but very sad...
sidwalkvol writes:
and why did you feel the need to take one more jab? Callous idiot. Let the man and his family rest in peace.
DennisVols writes:
A Class win for a Class coach. Congrats Coach Fulmer.
ctexorange writes:
You have helped me bleed oragne. I just returned home from the hospital back suregery copleted. Goood Luck to you and your family.
God bless all.
MidTennVol writes:
Well, it's 3:44 AM here in Denmark. I saw what I stayed uo to see (via ESPN360): a solid win and, even better, the players carrying Coach Fulmer off the field.
What a class act. What terrific memories. I think back to the days in the 1980s when we were absolutely elated to even become bowl-eligible. Look where this man took us.
Always a Vol, Coach Fulmer. Always a Vol.
allvolinatlanta writes:
Why? Why one last jab?
shane6#638715 writes:
Anybody else tired of this jimmy and joe line? This is about the 5th article I've seen it in in the past week. They're wearing it out. Kind of like "shock and awe" or "boots on the ground". Congrats for a good win Vols. Viva la Fulmer.
sidwalkvol writes:
the thing I have always loved about Coach is the way he keeps focus on the players...always the players. Not like Mr. Majors, who made it all about himself. Not like the many on these boards who spewed terrible venom because the team dared disappoint them. Even today, when he could have justifiably made it about himself, his hurt, how he was treated, whatever, he kept focus on the players. No wonder you see Peyton tear-up for love of the man. We had our say as he let us down, yet he never felt the need to answer in kind. Amazing man and coach...who never felt the need to take the first jab, much less the second, not at Hamilton, not at Spurrier, not at fans who, some of them, have little enough class but to kick a man on his way out the door.
txvolsfan writes:
You are very class act Coach Fulmer, not a negative word one all the way to the end. You are truly a Vol!!!
We will miss you. Let's get Coach Kiffin on the recruiting trail and kick some BUTT!!!
coach75 writes:
as a coach myself, i had a huge lump in my throat before the game when running through the T and at the end when they interviewed fulmer. he is truly a great man, who cares a lot for his players and the university. i will support the new coach, but i still think that they made a huge mistake in letting fulmer go.
Pullingguard writes:
What happened to Phil Fulmer at UT would probably not have happened at any other school when you look at the record, the fact the Vols played for SEC Championship in 07, and the new coaching staff. Probably he would have been given another year based on all the facts at every school I can think of tonight... Hamilton had to be under immense pressure to have made the decision on Fulmer.. Its done and I wish the new coach and staff nothing but success.. Really important that we not live in the past and give all the support we have to new staff...
brokebackvol writes:
I have to admit I got a little misty at the end of the game this evening, knowing that it's the end of an era for a good man. I don't care what all you Fulmer-Haters say, he's been a good man at the helm. I won't argue about it being a time for change, but I'd feel a lot better if indeed it was a Tennessee man taking the reins.
The last two non-Tennessee men to coach at Neyland Stadium were Doug Dickey and Bill Battle. We'll see how things work out with the new coach.
Coach Fulmer won't beat General Neyland's record at Tennessee, but being #2 in that company is not so bad.
Regardless, the Fulmer family will continue to be a part of the Tennessee family, there is no doubt about it.
Good luck, Coach. Thanks for all the good times!
gillblog writes:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Fulmer resign on his own (albeit, with considerable encouragement)? But, he DID actually resign and announce his resignation at the time of his choosing?
jsc1973#233920 writes:
Yes, he resigned on his own, but it was obvious he was being pushed to do so. The way he said it, I got the impression that Fulmer thought he could have fought it and possibly even kept his job, but he didn't want it under such divisive circumstances.
The column touched on something I've been thinking. Today is the end of a long era in Tennessee football. We're about to totally disconnect from a very long and largely successful run--not really since '63, but definitely since Bill Battle was fired in '76. I still remember what happened to the last top-tier program that tried this. And I hope Lane Kiffin is not our Bill Callahan.
Laydbakvol writes:
Hamilton was not the genius for hiring Pearl. Pearl was the genius hired by Hamilton. Odds are 50/50 Hamilton and Kiffin will both be in the hot seat in 2 years. Fulmer will be sitting on his private yacht sipping sweet tea and enjoying every minute of it.
blitzshoot writes:
Good win Vols.
blitzshoot writes:
Nothing like being positive and wishing the best for UT.
RockyTopVolFan writes:
I too will miss Fulmer, but posters have failed to mention Johnny Chavis who is leaving, and whose absence will be sorely missed.
John Chavis was a chip off of Fulmer's block, he is a man of character and a damn fine football coach too. He is a former VOL player(like Fulmer)who is Tennessee Vol through & through. He is one of the finest Defensive Coaches in college football and his loss may be the most costly to our program and is underestimated by many and not a focus of the media. He repeatedly fielded good solid defenses even when the offense sputtered, just like the past year. The D will end this past year ranked in the top 3 or 4 in the country even with no offense...a job well done by Chavis & his Vols, the Tennessee DEfense.
GOOD LUCK CHIEF CHAVIS! We love you too and wish you the very, very, best as you turn the pages of your future story. Godspeed to you & your family, Vols always.
deakinbi writes:
I'm proud of Coach Fulmer, and I always have been. He's been a wonderful reflection of the University. As a member of the class of 1984, it has been a wonderful relationship with UT and watching CPF lead the team on to the field so well for so long. Thanks Coach.
I'm very unhappy with the President of the Univeristy, the board of regents...you've lost your way. The AD has lost his way as well, but I actually understand the lack of good judgement because of his short association with UT. Hiring BP was terrific, building new buildings not so much...many could have asked and gotten the $$ from boosters. The leadership of the football program has proven to be beyond the ADs ability.
I've been along way from Home for a long time, tonight I feel further than I ever have. We need better leadership.
blitzshoot writes:
Copy and paste the document.
ncvol17 writes:
Phillip - write a book, take it easy, and come back as AD in 5 or so years..the Bean Counter will move on.. we'll keep the Orange lighr on for you.
mhwhite63 writes:
You, sir have no class, no heart and are not only un-needed as a self-proclaimed UT fan for life...but, quite unwanted. A true UT fan doesn't kick an icon down while he's down. My guess is you never played a down of football and couldn't hold Coach Fulmer's jock. Learn a little humility, jerk.
blitzshoot writes:
You're calling another man an icon and another a jerk?
Class and you are not associated. IT's over.
FLAVOLS writes:
Very well said.
BSweet writes:
Glad to see all the "true" UT fans are on tonight. Who knew that to be a "true" fan you had to put one man, albeit a man with a stellar legacy, ahead of the university? Once more, Phil Fulmer is NOT Tennessee football. No matter how much you may want to believe that, it isn't true. He was a great coach, a true Vol, but one man doesn't comprise all of our tradition. To hear most of you talk, you would think Fulmer came up with the pregame maxims. He was a great coach. His tenure is over. The numbers show the program has been declining over several seasons now, not just one. He didn't get a raw deal. He had his chances, now he's receiving a 6 million dollar farewell. If I could be so lucky.
If you want to be a true Vol fan, then stand behind the program. Wish CPF well, which I do, and move on. He's no longer at the helm. Now, apparently, it's going to be Lane Kiffin. I know very little about him. I admit to being nervous, but I'm excited to give him a chance. I hope he does well, but if he doesn't, we look for another coach. So what? We're not winning now either, so how are we worse off? And for those of you hoping this blows up in Hamilton's face, realize you are rooting against the Vols, not for them. How dare you call yourself Vol fans when you are hoping we lose??!!
I wish Coach Fulmer and all the departing staff the very best. I thank them for their years of service and dedication. I have the utmost respect for them and what they have done in their time here. But I'm not going to be outraged at their departure. In any profession, if you don't get the job done, you find yourself out of a job. Why should this be different? Nice guys lose their jobs every day. The difference is most of them don't receive a 6 million dollar farewell. This is reality, folks. Time to face it.
BSweet writes:
Okay, most of us here have probably played backyard football in our youth, but I'm guessing that doesn't count with you. I assume you mean playing HS football, or college football, or for those fortunate few, professional football. Is that what you have to do to recognize good football? That's ludicrous. You don't have to be a chef to know when your food tastes bad and you certainly don't need to have played organized football to recognize bad football. This year, we've plain stunk. You can't argue that. Look at the way we've played and tell me I'm wrong. You cannot do that and mean it. This team, not even a team really, this group of individuals has lacked cohesion and productivity. They've stunk. And sadly, this has been in the making for several seasons. We all wanted to turn a blind eye and believe differently, but look at our numbers against top talent since 2001 and you will see this ship has been slowly sinking. The truth hurts. As for holding Fulmer's jock, no thanks! If you think your qualified, feel free. Not my thing, but to each their own.
asleep#212036 writes:
His quote was that "...he would accept the university's decision not to retain him as the head football coach at the University of Tennessee." He was fired and chose not to fight it. Of course, his being "fired" was worth $6 million, resigning was worth whatever his agent could negotiate. I'd rather be fired. Go Vols!!!
asleep#212036 writes:
Your 50/50 odds are based on what algorithm? If Kiffin goes 7-5 two years running and splits the bowl games, he will have matched Fulmer's wins the last two years and made an additional bowl. And somehow I don't think Phil would ever be happy to see Tennessee football suffering - do you? Go Vols!!!
rockytop4ever writes:
Thanks for the memories coach. You will always have a special place in the UT tradition. Go Vols!
yeavols#228407 writes:
Right on Bsweet! It's worth reading again..excellent post..you have confirmed what the majority of us know and feel.
DadwasaVol writes:
I agree Pullingguard.
94VOL writes:
It was and will always be a sad day for the fans and players. Fulmer took the Vols to places they have never been and created expectations that even he couldn't live up to. Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication.
It's now time to turn the page and try and hit the ground running. Kiffen has a tough job ahead of him but lucky for us he has been to Oakland because nothing could be worse than that!!!!!
GO VOLS!!!!!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Well said, BSweet! I was one of those who thought CPF--and he will always be that to me--needed to go; he was and is a good man, but his time has passed. I just finished watching the final "Philip Fulmer Show" on SportSouth here in NC and it is truly sad to see the end of a mostly glorious era. Although there are probably a few sore-heads who will nurse a grudge over CPF's dismissal, just like those who still mourn the Johnny Majors departure, it is time for all who deserve to call themselves VOL fans to get behind Lane Kiffin, welcome him to Big Orange Country, and support his efforts to get the program back to where we all want it to be. Hail and farewell, CPF; thanks for the memories. And now--on to a bright Big Orange future!
weisgarber2003#313889 writes:
dvolfan writes:
From Odessa Texas in 1996 Wow ! What a long time Volfan ! Why don't you take you GARBAGE writing and go back to Odessa , Texas...See, MANY of us ( real fans) haven't forgotten your "self made" polls on Firing Coach Fulmer and questioning his salary amounts ! So, Packer you are the BIGGEST hypocrite in East Tennessee so go back to Odessa , you are NOTHING but a PATHETIC "sports writer wannabe" ! What a HYPOCRITE ! Thanks Coach Fulmer for the memories.
"dvolfan" needs to be institutionalized.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.