Fulmer, wearing blue tie, working for ESPN

There was a Phillip Fulmer sighting on Thursday.

Fulmer, who was forced to resign after 17 seasons as football coach at Tennessee, was working as a studio analyst for ESPN for its bowl coverage on Thursday night.

Fulmer didn’t try to re-invent himself for a television job, sticking to a straight script.

If there was one thing different about Fulmer it was the choice of his tie: blue.

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Comments » 98

andy112382#209793 writes:

So the man has other ties in his collection he hasn't been able to wear during Tennessee functions over the past many years.....the media will latch onto anything and try to make something of nothing.

bluetick writes:

in response to andy112382#209793:

So the man has other ties in his collection he hasn't been able to wear during Tennessee functions over the past many years.....the media will latch onto anything and try to make something of nothing.

True.

ncvol writes:

Good for him!....Hang in there coach!...Thanks for all the memories....Go Vols!

VolPatrick writes:

At least KNS broke this story...

rvtnvols writes:

great job coach, I would rather listen to him than Holtz

yeavols#228407 writes:

Ya..amazing how you see former coaches on ESPN or sports talk shows wearing a tie. Incredible don't you think?

jturne44 writes:

I have been watching him and he has sounded like the biggest egotistical bum...okay that was harsh but honestly...all he has said is I did this, I did that...not referring to moments as WE (for him and Tennessee) did this or I remember when we did this...Starting to honestly think that he felt he was above Tennessee...oh and of course he has to have his championship ring on his finger and make sure the camera catches a glimpse...

The man's a bum...

markr22vols writes:

Congrats Phil you looked good on the air. Hope everything goes well for Fulmer.

volcycle writes:

in response to rvtnvols:

great job coach, I would rather listen to him than Holtz

Can anyone really understand Holtz? Most of the time it sounds like he has a mouth full of marbles...

rabidvol1998 writes:

in response to jturne44:

I have been watching him and he has sounded like the biggest egotistical bum...okay that was harsh but honestly...all he has said is I did this, I did that...not referring to moments as WE (for him and Tennessee) did this or I remember when we did this...Starting to honestly think that he felt he was above Tennessee...oh and of course he has to have his championship ring on his finger and make sure the camera catches a glimpse...

The man's a bum...

He's not a part of "we" anymore. When Robert Neyland did Sports Center, he sucked too.

rabidvol1998 writes:

in response to volcycle:

Can anyone really understand Holtz? Most of the time it sounds like he has a mouth full of marbles...

Agree, but he gets $50k for a speach, so I guess we're a bit picky.

RJ_Vol writes:

Though I am looking forward to the Coach Kiffin era, I thought Coach Fulmer did a good job. It is a good thing for the University of Tennessee to have a former coach on ESPN.

JohnnyVol writes:

in response to rabidvol1998:

He's not a part of "we" anymore. When Robert Neyland did Sports Center, he sucked too.

Now that's funny. I don't care who you are...

rabidvol1998 writes:

in response to JohnnyVol:

Now that's funny. I don't care who you are...

Thanks. Who am I?

rabidvol1998 writes:

in response to UTfan4life:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Wow. Coach O. is responsible for GM needing a bailout. Don't let him advertise Pilot Travel Centers.

mbradshaw1#655539 writes:

I think he was very good and didn't sound like a homer like Holtz is for ND and every where else he is associated with. He is still a very good person and 100% Tennessean. I WISH HIM WELL.

GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

vut56#231073 writes:

He handled himself well; should we be surprised? He has had his own show for many years.

He was informative, knew what was going on and had a good camera presense. Can you say that about all the clown-ex jock punks yuking it up on Sunday about the Pros?

Fulmer is a well-respected coach and person (notwithstanding a few posters here) and is his own man, now. We should view him objectively and be pleased to say we knew him when.

VolPatrick writes:

He is also wearing his Championship ring. Why wasn't that front page news?

JohnnyVol writes:

in response to jturne44:

I have been watching him and he has sounded like the biggest egotistical bum...okay that was harsh but honestly...all he has said is I did this, I did that...not referring to moments as WE (for him and Tennessee) did this or I remember when we did this...Starting to honestly think that he felt he was above Tennessee...oh and of course he has to have his championship ring on his finger and make sure the camera catches a glimpse...

The man's a bum...

Well then...

I have some good contacts who can help with anger management issues. Just let me know.

ect1983 writes:

in response to jturne44:

I have been watching him and he has sounded like the biggest egotistical bum...okay that was harsh but honestly...all he has said is I did this, I did that...not referring to moments as WE (for him and Tennessee) did this or I remember when we did this...Starting to honestly think that he felt he was above Tennessee...oh and of course he has to have his championship ring on his finger and make sure the camera catches a glimpse...

The man's a bum...

I agree that he sounded incredibly egotistical (I would not say he is a bum)......arrogant is the better description....I was listening on Sirius radio, then saw it on tv....Radio was worse. As you stated, it was me,myself, and I.....Fulmer (please just go away) Fatigue....Catch It !!!!

rabidvol1998 writes:

in response to ect1983:

I agree that he sounded incredibly egotistical (I would not say he is a bum)......arrogant is the better description....I was listening on Sirius radio, then saw it on tv....Radio was worse. As you stated, it was me,myself, and I.....Fulmer (please just go away) Fatigue....Catch It !!!!

He just said we 4 times. Is he ok now?

ncvol17 writes:

wish i had known he was going to be on. I would have liked to see it.

I will always be both a Johnny and a Phil fan. They were 'my' coaches from my time in school until now. Now Lane will be 'my' coach. Once a Vol always a Vol.

WorkinLikeHeck writes:

Nobody wanted to win more than Coach Foolmore.

OrangeAppeal writes:

in response to jturne44:

I have been watching him and he has sounded like the biggest egotistical bum...okay that was harsh but honestly...all he has said is I did this, I did that...not referring to moments as WE (for him and Tennessee) did this or I remember when we did this...Starting to honestly think that he felt he was above Tennessee...oh and of course he has to have his championship ring on his finger and make sure the camera catches a glimpse...

The man's a bum...

That "J" in your moniker obviously stands for "jerk". You wear it well with no class.

OrangeAppeal writes:

in response to WorkinLikeHeck:

Nobody wanted to win more than Coach Foolmore.

Hey JerkinLikeHeck...

I'm always glad to see you show up with your posts to show us who the FOOL really is.

I think you have an obsession or a man-crush that only therapy can correct. Stop FOOLing around and go see Dr. FOOLgood.

-Happy New Year

murrayvol writes:

in response to rabidvol1998:

He's not a part of "we" anymore. When Robert Neyland did Sports Center, he sucked too.

This one made the evening worthwhile. Well done rabid!

Hacksaw57 writes:

Fulmer can do anything he dang well wants to DISPITE what some of you posters think. When I saw him on the show I was a little surprised, but, I thought he was very informative in his analysis and presented himself well.
If he would have come on the show ranting and raving about how he thought he got treated by UT then it would have been another issue and I would have been one of the first to critisize him for his actions but, he didn't do that. In my opinion, from what I watched and heard I did not find him egotistical OR arrogant in his demeanor at all. If ANYONE was defined by those words it was May and Davies. Holtz just was in the middle between two b-holes.

Even though Fulmer may be somewhat of a representative of our University, he's not our head coach anymore and some people need to get over it.
Majors has been outspoken on some issues in the past and recently and that's fine as well. He, like Fulmer, is NOT employed by UT and can speak their own mind if inclined to do so.
I admire BOTH of them in their own right. They were good for us THEN and NOW things have evolved into another era for the future of our program. All this name calling and ill will towards what the past held is just that, IN THE PAST!
People, let things go and let's move forward! GO VOLS!

jake2583 writes:

I am watching Coach Fulmer right now... he's reminding me what a class act we just let go. I hope this new staff will represent us as well as Coach always has...and still is.

ncvol17 writes:

you know it's kind of funny. NONE of us will be remembered in the annals of UT history. (unless I win a lottery and my donation gets that building named after me)

Johnny & Phil will be written about in the future millineums when UT is ever discussed. And as time passes, it will only be for the positives. Haters - enjoy these throw away pages on the forum. you cannot lessen the contributions of any of UT's coaches whether it is Phil or not.

OrangeAppeal writes:

in response to rabidvol1998:

He's not a part of "we" anymore. When Robert Neyland did Sports Center, he sucked too.

Good stuff.

Sorry for thinking you were that idiot Naffy earlier. He can be found trolling under about 30 different names. I just read one too many of his and WLH's posts and reacted. He did call Manning, "Peytie-Pie" a few times earlier in the year.

rabidvol1998 writes:

in response to ncvol17:

you know it's kind of funny. NONE of us will be remembered in the annals of UT history. (unless I win a lottery and my donation gets that building named after me)

Johnny & Phil will be written about in the future millineums when UT is ever discussed. And as time passes, it will only be for the positives. Haters - enjoy these throw away pages on the forum. you cannot lessen the contributions of any of UT's coaches whether it is Phil or not.

Deep thinking for this late at night.

Well said.

ect1983 writes:

Here are two wishes that we (I) can only hope will be granted by NEXT Christmas....That Phil can get the new job he wants that fits his criteria (I truly mean it)

2. The KNS would let the Fulmer sightings/stories go away...IT IS NOT NEWS ....you might as well tell us that he was seen eating at texas roadhouse.....most dont care, but wish him well

OrangeAppeal writes:

in response to ncvol17:

you know it's kind of funny. NONE of us will be remembered in the annals of UT history. (unless I win a lottery and my donation gets that building named after me)

Johnny & Phil will be written about in the future millineums when UT is ever discussed. And as time passes, it will only be for the positives. Haters - enjoy these throw away pages on the forum. you cannot lessen the contributions of any of UT's coaches whether it is Phil or not.

Very well said. Those two coaches really did more than anyone else to raise the level of our program in my lifetime. I hope Kiffen can get it back to (or near) the top of the country with more consistency.

andy112382#209793 writes:

in response to rabidvol1998:

He's not a part of "we" anymore. When Robert Neyland did Sports Center, he sucked too.

Funny stuff, almost made me choke on what I was eating, but it was well worth the laugh.

auttat writes:

Are you all ever going to let it go? Losers!!! Do you really thing Fulmer walks out of his house or hotel room stuffing a hanky in his coat pocket? I think the wardrobe team for ESPN most likely dresses these guys.

He is no longer the coach. Let it gooooooooo...........

blitzshoot writes:

I like Lou Holthsh

firefulmer (Inactive) writes:

Fulmer makes me want to puke. The pathetic excuse for a man absolutely makes me sick to my stomach. Just to look at him makes me cringe!

Jmxvo1 writes:

2 losing seasons in 4 years.

LEGEND

WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:

in response to ncvol:

Good for him!....Hang in there coach!...Thanks for all the memories....Go Vols!

Just got to love it. Did this man cost us respect or gain it for us? At least he's not growing a beard living in New England, teaching, and feeling sorry for himself. Like some other ex-Tennesseans did after they lost an election! Which their daddy wanted for them to win. And to which he was entitled.

VolPatrick writes:

in response to Navalorange:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

It was very interesting to see him put in this position. He spent quite a bit of time commenting on the teams that brought about his demise, but I thought he handled it quite well. In fact, I was very pleased to hear him talk about the football being played and not bringing up his personal, recent experiences. This, if you want a contrast, is exactly the opposite of Lou Holtz. Tomorrow should be very interesting, and I hope they keep him around through the title game.

He was great in his first real public role after UT. How ironic, though, that he has transcended UT while still being the face of UT. Lane Kiffin is the new head coach at UT, but Coach Fulmer still IS UT football. Much like seeing Coach Switzer on the Fox post game, Coach Fulmer is going to remain, no matter what he does professionally from here on out, head coach of the University of Tennessee. Hopefully, Coach Kiffin will have the same aura in a decade or two!

newtonrail writes:

in response to firefulmer:

Fulmer makes me want to puke. The pathetic excuse for a man absolutely makes me sick to my stomach. Just to look at him makes me cringe!

You are one sick girlyman.

UTVOLinTEXAS writes:

Didn't see any of it and don't care really. Phil did a great job while at UT except for the last few years. It is time to move on and get started on the RISE of the VOL NATION. To that end, I wonder, since living in San Antonio, if I could sneak down to the sidelines and speak to some of the HS seniors playing in the All-America Bowl here in San Antonio this weekend. I would tell that kid who wants to sign with South Carolina what a huge mistake he is making by not going to UT. Any ideas how I could go about doing this? GO VOLS 4-EVER

iwilbeafan writes:

in response to OrangeAppeal:

Good stuff.

Sorry for thinking you were that idiot Naffy earlier. He can be found trolling under about 30 different names. I just read one too many of his and WLH's posts and reacted. He did call Manning, "Peytie-Pie" a few times earlier in the year.

From what I have read from the two of you the only "we" you will ever be a part of is yourself. Somone that is a part of something good or great knows that talking bad about any part of a sports program does not help and will always negative in anything they touch.

iwilbeafan writes:

in response to firefulmer:

Fulmer makes me want to puke. The pathetic excuse for a man absolutely makes me sick to my stomach. Just to look at him makes me cringe!

Now this is a sick man. only he is sick of himself and the lack of success he has had in his life.

iwilbeafan writes:

in response to Jmxvo1:

2 losing seasons in 4 years.

LEGEND

2 losing seasons in 17 is good

BillVol writes:

It is a valid observation that Fulmer was not wearing an orange tie. He must really love UT. What a joke.

tnbigg writes:

I have to say that Lou Holtz is becoming more and more idiotic. I used to really like him and actually worked with him for a brief time in the late 70's. BUT...yesterday when he commented on how he thought Georgia Tech could come back in the second half (down 28 - 3 to LSU) by running it up the middle...I could only shake my head...as did his fellow commentators. What a delussional man he has become. Very sad and his thoughts are becoming more and more insane...time for him to go...

Now...do the dawgs think they are Number 1 again this year after their Bowl victory...and will it be all we hear between now and next season how they'll be Number 1 in 2009? Between them, the gators and the Bammers it's gonna' be a long off season. I do believe we will kick some surprised butts next year...can't wait...the doldrums engulf us...arghhhh...

johnsonsmile69#240092 writes:

Humm Blue tie... Duke blue??? now that would be funny

VOLFORLIFE writes:

in response to jturne44:

I have been watching him and he has sounded like the biggest egotistical bum...okay that was harsh but honestly...all he has said is I did this, I did that...not referring to moments as WE (for him and Tennessee) did this or I remember when we did this...Starting to honestly think that he felt he was above Tennessee...oh and of course he has to have his championship ring on his finger and make sure the camera catches a glimpse...

The man's a bum...

Hey jturne, ever happen to catch Jimmie Johnson on TV? How long has it been since he won a Super Bowl? I'll guarantee you he'll be flashing that ring every time you see him. How about Bill Cowher? Terry Bradshaw? And the list goes on and on. Lighten up a bit.

GO VOLS!!!
JUGHEAD

VOLFORLIFE writes:

in response to Jmxvo1:

2 losing seasons in 4 years.

LEGEND

How 'bout 2 losing seasons in 17 years?

GO VOLS!!!
JUGHEAD

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