In 17 seasons as Tennessee’s head football coach, Phillip Fulmer maintained an uneasy truce with the media.
He never ducked an interview but he often was guarded in his comments. He kept score. In his mind, you were either for him or against him.
Now the game has changed. This season, Fulmer will serve as an analyst for CBS Sports, appearing weekly on the network’s postgame show.
“I’ve gone over to the dark side,” he says.
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Comments » 16
bugman (Inactive) writes:
How does that Steve Miller bang song go? This pretty much sums up his career..
Go on take the money and run
Go on take the money and run
Go on take the money and run
Go on take the money and run
Halls3 writes:
How can you all be so disrespectful to a coach who in the 1990s & early 2000s put UT at the forefront of college football. I know he had a couple bad years but how can you forget all he did for the University of Tennessee.
utclassof1992 writes:
Phil, stick with the broadcast gig and enjoy life. I appreciate everything you did, including the 1998 NC. I hate to say this, but it was pretty darn apparent over the last 6 years of your tenure that you had lost that "fire" that drove you to excel. From 1993-1998, you had an offense that tried to score 8 points on every play, a blindingly fast defense, and mucho depth and discipline. From 2002-2008, you played super conservative, refused to take chances, and let team discipline slip to the point where players were cutting up on the sideline during the Bama whipping last year. I dont think a great number of us hate you for it, but age, wear, and tear have an effect on everyone. Simply put, I think you were ready to retire after the 2001 season, and stayed a little too long in a postion which you had lost the passion for. Good luck in everything you do, but think about your life, not a misguided desire to be on the sideline again. I think you will be happier watching from the press box. God bless you!
Orangeyouavol writes:
I agree 100%.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Try Tennessean.com
the10sevol writes:
wonder if phil will be doing the color for the Vols-gators on 9/19?
could be awkward.
GBO
blitzshoot writes:
I wish you well and best wishes in life. As UTclass 1992 mentions above, I believe the time has come for you to enjoy life and I too believe that coaching is no longer a passion in your life. But with that said, good luck on whatever you pursue.
HollisPalmer61 writes:
This is well put, but we lack the understanding of the ultimate desire and drive.
It takes an incredible amount of confidence and drive to reach the pinnacle of coaching/playing a major school in a major conference.
We are tired of Farve, remember Montana in a Chiefs uniform, and we ask why. It's because we do not have the talent and drive to get there.
That being said, I agree with your assessment and believe it should be easier to retire today than in 2001.
Volunatic writes:
Interesting thoughts. If Louisville would hire him, they would do well to take a similar path that UT has taken with the football program-- pay the head coach a little less in order to be able to shell out a lot of dough for an all-star staff.
Volunatic writes:
What Agent_Orange said...
utclassof1992 writes:
I cannot pretend to know what it took to get him where he was. However, I just stepped down from an upper management position due to just one thing-burnout. I think Phil went through the same thing, but on a much bigger stage. He built and built until we won the 1998 national championship. He rebuilt for a run in 2001. Then 2002-2005 happened, and after that, he was not the same, and probably was just filling the position and delegating the authority after that. Happens to the best of them. I hope Coach Fulmer does not become a Montana in KC, a Farve in NYC, or a Majors at Pitt. IMHO, he needs to appreciate what was, become a broadcaster, and enjoy life out from under the microscope. He is hilarious, if you ever heard him speak in person.
Joevolsxtra writes:
I think Siberia would be a better fit.
murrayvol writes:
Could be fun.
jandjhome#228397 writes:
He will work those Cardinals like heck.
doubledown writes:
Louisville is a much classier and nicer location than Knoxville.. Phil and Vicky will enjoy and do well there, as there are no rednecks in Louisville as they're are in KNoxville or East Tennessee.
Voluvr writes:
Vickie, 1998 yes, but early 2000's...? This is no different than a company letting someone go after having continuous down years. Sure he hit the pinnacle of the game, but from that point was a downward trend. It sounds as though you understand the change, but you just don't want the disrespect. My question is, why do you come in here and read these articles?
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