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Former head coach Phil Fulmer waves to the crowd after he was recognized for receiving the Neyland Award before the UT spring Orange and White football game at Neyland Stadium on Saturday.
Former Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer accepted the Robert R. Neyland Award Saturday by honoring those from the past while looking to the future.
"I hope I have followed the lead of Doug Dickey and John Majors, my mentors, and honored the spirit of Tennessee football,'' said Fulmer, the fifth former UT coach and 44th overall recipient of the annual award given by the Knoxville Quarterback Club in conjunction with the East Tennessee Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.
Bob Neyland Jr. was on hand to personally present the award.
UT coach Lane Kiffin also made a brief appearance at the start of the ceremony, taking the podium to congratulate Fulmer on winning the award but did not speak with his predecessor.
But the focus of the brunch at the Foundry was to honor Fulmer for his 17 years as Tennessee head coach. In turn, Fulmer paid tribute to the history and lineage of Volunteer football
"Today's presentation was especially significant to Phillip and I'm sure Bob Neyland (Jr.) because it is an extension of Tennessee football,'' said John Ward, who carved his own place in Vols' folklore as the longtime Voice of the Vols. "... the one thing that has always pulled the state of Tennessee together is Tennessee football, and that started with the General, and Phillip was an extension of that.''
Some were surprised Fulmer paid tribute to Majors on two occasions during his acceptance speech.
"Ultimately, it's about the Tennessee family,'' said Fulmer, whose history with Majors has been well-documented. "I'm a branch of that tree and we're all interconnected.
"We all learned from each other and from the General.''
Fulmer said he has not stopped learning; he has visited both college and pro teams, in his words, to keep himself "relevant'' with hopes of coaching again.
Bill Parcells has invited Fulmer to visit the Miami Dolphins, and he also has trips planned to the New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts.
"I don't think there's any doubt Phillip still has the fire and desire to coach,'' said former UT assistant Steve Caldwell, who has traveled with Fulmer. "Phillip would love an opportunity, if it's the right opportunity.''
Fulmer said the visits have been encouraging and enlightening.
"I've seen the things we have done offensively and defensively are the same things everyone is doing that's successful,'' Fulmer said. "I've learned how much people admire and respect the Tennessee program and our history.''
Many still endorse Fulmer's coaching skills and abilities. Longtime UT defensive coordinator John Chavis - now the LSU defensive coordinator - stands chief among them.
"What Phillip was able to do at Tennessee will not be duplicated in Knoxville in your or my lifetime,'' Chavis said, referring to Fulmer's 152-52 record (.744), which ranked highest among active coaches with 10 years of service at one university. "He knows how to coach football and how to treat people. The people that played and coached for him will back all of that up.''
So will Fulmer's former rivals.
"You get your name on General Neyland's trophy, that means you've done a lot,'' said former Alabama coach Gene Stallings, the 2002 Neyland Award winner. "I remember the great games we had with Tennessee when I was at Alabama, and Phillip's teams were always superbly prepared and competitive.
"I know the people in that area appreciate everything he accomplished; very few people coached at one school as long as Phillip did at Tennessee.''
Woody McCorvey, who coached under both Stallings and Fulmer, said it was appropriate Fulmer be named an immediate Neyland Award winner..
"Coach Fulmer talked a lot about coach Neyland, even in our staff meetings,'' said McCorvey, now at Clemson. "Coach Fulmer was at Tennessee a long time as a player, assistant and head coach, so he saw and understood all aspects of it.
"And he took Tennessee to the pinnacle, winning the national championship.''
Fulmer's appearance at Saturday's Orange and White Game was his first around the team since he was asked to resign at the conclusion of last season.
But he indicated it won't be his last.
"I'm a Tennessee guy, from start to finish,'' Fulmer said. "Certainly I'll continue to support Tennessee football, always.''
Fulmer, who also made special mention of his family support during the ceremony, works with Mike West at Northshore Management, an investment firm.
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Comments » 103
volsare1 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
OrangeMan_86 writes:
Bippitty boppitty boo.
the10sevol writes:
Now if we can get CPF to accept the new coaches...
KJVol writes:
Class comments from Coach Fulmer. Some of you could learn from him.
beartn#223846 writes:
<<Now if we can get CPF to accept the new coaches...>>
I'm sure he accepts them, but the situation is difficult. I'm sure he doesn't want to look like he is trying to interfere with the new regime, so he has kept his distance. I think that is the right thing to do. There are still some who don't think he should have been fired, and Fulmer hovering around could have caused a lot of friction like the Majors' loyalists that never supported Fulmer. Both Kiffin and Fulmer have said they would like to meet when the time is right. I still think it's too soon. Kiffin needs the space to establish what he wants to do.
The only person Fulmer may been uncomfortable with is Hamilton, who fired him. I seriously doubt that he begrudges anyone that accepted a vacant position. Also, in my opinion, Kiffin has gone out of his way to say that he respects what Fulmer has done. I just hope that Johnny is able to patch it up with Fulmer before it's too late. All of these men will forever be in the Vol family.
OrangeMan_86 writes:
Jeeeze. Butch/Gatorz/TarHeels. How many screen names do you need? Loser.
burntorangeVOLffle writes:
Class.
It's really odd to think that the coaching tree that started with Gen Neyland has truely come to a halt with Fulmer's dismissal.
Hopefully Fulmer and Lane can get that lunch together sometime soon now that spring practice is over. I'm sure PF could really impart what it means to be HC of TN.
VOLMAN40 writes:
Hmmm, let me see. TarHeelsFool is on a Tennessee website? Congrats on you NC. But, have you ever REALLY had a football team there? You sir, are a clown.........
KSargent writes:
Phillip once again showed why he is ALL VOL .... he believes in the University .... the football program and the history ..... I look forward to the Kiffin era of Tenn Football ......... but my friends .... let's not forget .... poke fun .... or disrespect Phillip .....
Go Vols ......... I look forward to Game 1
Kiffin_fan writes:
Okay guys I was at the orange and white game today and here is my take:
Any of you wishing for Nick Stevens to be QB you might as well crawl under a rock. He was horrible. John and BJ were pretty good but not great.
Brandon Warren will be a stud along with Quinton Hancock. Hardesty looked great as did all the running backs when they were working on the running game. Toney Williams will be a stud eventually.
I met Montori Hughes personally and asked "will you hit them hard today or take it easy on em"? He said " No Sir, when I hit them they will know it". His arms are huge "HUGE" he has the physique to be awesome.
Also talked to Gerald Jones and he is pumped about the direction they are headed.
As for Lane being in the huddle today, they have been so focused on installing the offense that they have not worked on calling in plays from the sideline so don't be worried.
Monte said, "The defense will be very limited today, don't worry gang". He was so pumped up walking the VOL WALK he kept raising his hands and it was awesome. Everytime he did that all the fans just started screaming.
In closing, I hope most of you made it to the game but if you didn't I hope I helped some of you understand what it was like. All I can say is "GO BIG ORANGE" ...
Also, coach O was huge running down the Vol Walk like you might imagine. He was screaming and ranting and raving. Lets Go Tennessee!!!!
All of you that couldn't make it you will be very impressed when you come this fall to watch in person... Have a great night everyone and most of all GO VOLS!!!!!!!!
TNFootball writes:
Hopefully, he can take his award now and ride off into the sunset and give the new coaching staff space and the fan-base time to heal from this horrible experience for us all.
I am just glad today is over with that dang award, and hope that now he somehow feels complete and moves on!
RoadTrip writes:
The Chief must be smoking some wacky weed down in Cajun Country to think Phil's record at UT will not be matched in ours or his lifetime. I plan on being around for another 15 years or more and expect I will even see it happen - much less what the young bucks around here will experience. We are headed to the top of heap now that there will be no more "Mustang" packages to put up with.
I am all for honoring Phil though. He is all Vol and what he accomplished it greatly appreciated.
stillavolsfan27 writes:
Your not even in our conference the only thing you guys do is play powder puff girl football ill hand it to u you have good basketball... But Football just go home and watch another loss on your 12 most likely against any team outside your conference... McNeese st. doesnt count
iowavol writes:
Is there something specific you are referring too or just making a random comment? I have not heard that CPF hasn't accepted the new coaches - as if that is a specific function he needs to perform. I certainly have not heard anything negative or untoward coming from CPF in reference to the new coaching staff.
tnbigg writes:
Wow! I'm impressed. Very impressed!
NorthwestVol writes:
Concur with all above.
annemarie writes:
The ovation that was given to Fulmer on the field was incredible! It's nice to see support from 99.9% of the fans. We were ready for a change - I won't deny that - but Fulmer deserved his "day in the sun". He did a lot for the University of Tennessee. I'm proud to say that I stood & clapped & yelled as long & as loud as anyone else. Thank you & good-bye CPF. Bring it on CLK & staff!!!
ncvol17 writes:
Fulmer will be revered by future generations like we revere the General. Few of us ever saw a Neyland coached team but we read about those days and see those wins in reverence to his memory. Fulmer will go down as a true UT hero. I venture to say only a small percent of current fans dislike Fulmer even now.
I met him once and am very happy he spoke a few minutes and signed a football. I have it proudly displayed in my Tennessee bonus room.
jeffhaga writes:
http://collegefootball.rivals.com/con...
great story on eric berry. too bad the hometown paper cant do this.
Mr_Brownstone writes:
when parcells calls you listen
tenncorncob writes:
You are a cynical MORON
memphis_vol_fan writes:
Agree with everything you said.
The sad thing is that Phil's career could have been better.
(D@mn you, LSU!!!)
floridavolsfan writes:
It is all so warm and fuzzy..... Phil, Johnny, Lane and Hammy!! LET THE LOVE FLOW!!!!
MillisaAnn writes:
Oh I can't wait to hear what Coach Majors has to say about all this.
Vol43 writes:
Gag me with a spoon!
Vol43 writes:
Are you completely brain dead? Phillip Fulmer took this football program to the lowest of lows. Nobody, I MEAN NOBODY, had any respect for this team for 10 friggin years. Revered? revered? What in hell are you talking about? Where have you been the last 10 years? Under a rock?
Vol43 writes:
ESAD
tnbigg writes:
Probably the same one the guy had you caught with your woman...
Colliervol writes:
Pretty much agree with everything you said. A few more observations:
-Hughes looked good but he has to work on his conditioning. He was gassed after the second series.
-Quarterback is still an issue. Coleman looked better than Crompton to me. Jonathan makes some good plays and then he will make a couple that will get you beat.
-Warren, Hancock, and Moore looked good at receiver. Moore made several difficult catches. The tight ends made some decent catches as well.
-Taurean Poole looked good running the ball.
-The most impressive thing I saw today was an offensive line that looked in shape. None of the spare tires that I saw the last couple of years.
-Eric Berry will make a huge difference in that defense. (Understatement I know but they missed him out there.)
-I worry about our linebackers. Nick Reveiz may be a fabulous kid and a hard worker but he is SMALL for a middle LB in this conference. I'm wondering if he can hold up against the lines that he'll see every week.
-Crowd was great. Announced at 51,000.
Vol43 writes:
Ok. I'm out numbered. Forget the past; it doesn't matter. Fulmer is the best thing to happen to Tennessee football since General Neyland, even coach Majors. Perhaps we were premature to replace him. Maybe we could hire him to oversee the coaching staff and offer his expertise. We could pay him 2 mil a year as a consultant. Yes, that's what we should do. He's the best thing that has ever happened to The University of Tennessee. I apologize if I sounded irreverent.
Colliervol writes:
As far as Fulmer goes, I have no problem with the presentation today. And I heard some of the local radio quacks pontificating about them putting Fulmer in a tough spot and that Fulmer should have turned them down. Maybe, maybe not. Hard to say. But all I can tell you is that, in my section there wasn't a single "Boo" and from what I could tell, there was a 50,000 person standing ovation when he took the field and they stayed on their feet through the announcement. Looked like 99.9% of the people had no problem with him getting the award either.
Having said that, maybe all of the controversy can fade to the background now and everybody can move on. It's a new day.
gslaton#227127 writes:
Phil is a class act. Couldn't be more happy for him for receiving the award. Hope he stays in the game somewhere.
He extended an olive branch to Majors. Let's see how much class Johnny has??
Vol43 writes:
I wasn't there. If I had been there:
1. I would not have 'booed' the man.
2. I would have stood and clapped.
memphis_vol_fan writes:
Good point. Ole Johnny needs to acknowledge this and say something (even though deep down he may not mean it).
yeavols#228407 writes:
TarHeelsRule writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Ok...when a Tarheel visits a Tennessee site to make a comment on Football...YOU KNOW KIFFIN IS WORKING! That poor Tarheel is guzzling some turpentine..
yeavols#228407 writes:
KNS can't write a good story unless it's a copy and paste from ESPN or some other news writer. KNS can however write a story about the Gators to get a response from all the VOLS. No really..
memphis_vol_fan writes:
It was probably about basketball. I don't think they have spring practice in the ACC.
txvolsfan writes:
You're an IDIOT
balloonman writes:
vol 43.......u won't gag on that spoon!.....your mouth is too big!
Colliervol writes:
If there had been any boos, you wouldn't have heard them unless you were sitting right next to them. The ovation was pretty loud and long.
MarbleVol48 writes:
I'm sure Kiffin will most likely not be able to duplicate these stats as the program was left to him at the gates of h**l. When the team was taken from Majors there was good tallent! If I were Chavis I would keep my mouth shut and enjoy the great defensive talent at LSU. Myles thinks so much of Chavis he's not even letting him call defenses during the games!
Vol43 writes:
Dude, I've already caved in to the fact that Coach Phillip Fulmer is diety and should have never been dismissed from his position as head coach of The University of Tennessee football team. We should all lament the fact that he is no longer coach. I really don't think we can go on and maybe should consider playing soccer instead.
Colliervol writes:
Personally I think we can lament the fact that the program got into the position where he could no longer be the coach. I wish it was otherwise but it wasn't to be. Sometimes change is a necessity in any business. Time to move forward and maybe the ceremony today will allow people to do that.
VAvolfanRON writes:
i just love what i call true orange fans....majors, fulmer...and hopefully kiffin
as opposed to bob, clown, and a few others
TommyJack writes:
I was there.
1. Did not boo.
2. Sat on my hands.
VAvolfanRON writes:
that's good to hear........like i have said.....true vol fans do pull through
VAvolfanRON writes:
good for you....if you do not agree......that's ok...you did the right thing
givehim6 writes:
All nice words were spoken by all, but makes you wander what Phil was really thinking? Humm
beachvol1 writes:
Say what you want about the former coach, and some may be justified but for the most part, you guys are just rattling along...don't have a clue, as all you want to do is just post something to get a reaction....I do appreciate what coach Fulmer did as I do Johnny Majors!!! both will go down in Vol Football History for sure...in a good way...so please don't just post something that has no input...be a Vol Fan whoever the coach may be.....I hate losing as well as the other guy, but that is part of it........
utclassof1992 writes:
I would have loved it if Johnny had walked up to Philapotamus and left hooked him right in the mouth. Then, everything would be right in Vol land. Luv ya Johnny, from those who remember what Philapotamus did to you.
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