Phil Fullmer out at Tennessee

His departure all but a foregone conclusion after a 3-6 start to the season, Phil Fullmer made it official on Monday at an emotional news conference in Knoxville.  He won’t return as University of Tennessee coach next season, though he will remain with the team for the rest of this season.  That decision is likely an act of resignation that 2007 is already shot rather than a gesture of respect for Fullmer.

Fullmer appeared on the verge of tears several times, and a number of his players were openly weeping during his announcement.  While he made it clear that it wasn’t his decision to leave, he took the high road by suggesting that it was in the best interest of the program and the school:

"Many fans have been supportive. Some have been angry. All of us are disappointed. I'm proud that the accomplishments over the last 17 years have been part of such high expectations.

"Our Tennessee family is united in its goals, but divided in the right path to get there. I love Tennessee too much to let her stay divided."

Fullmer had considerable good will in the bank following UT’s first national championship in 1998.  The school and its supporters have high expectations and over the past few seasons they’ve been a SEC also-ran.  A losing season this year will be the Vols second in the past four years, and they’re at great risk to lose 7 games for the first time in program history.   Despite the tough times the program is currently experiencing Fullmer noted that he’s optimistic about the future of Tennessee football:

"I'm more than confident that our staff and players can turn this trend around. Our history proves it. Our recruiting for this year proves it. I've invested a lot of my life into this university and wish nothing but the best for its continued success. I will help my successor if needed or if asked for in any way possible if he chooses. "I love this university and hope everyone knows that beyond a shadow of a doubt."

While it was apparent to everyone around the program that Fullmer’s days were numbered, his players were still upset over it.  Once Fullmer’s comments were finished, athletic director Mike Hamilton took the podium.  At this point most of the current and former UT players in attendance stood up and walked out en masse.   Senior OT Ramon Foster summarized the team’s outrage with how their coach’s dismissal was handled:

"Tennessee is a family, one, and we take care of each other. That right there wasn't a very stand-up thing to do. I mean, you're talking about a guy who's worked his butt off from a student, to a GA, to an assistant coach, to a coordinator, to a head coach. "This was not the way for him to go out. He should have been able to go out on his own terms, and that's how the rest of my teammates feel about it."

Will Overstreet, who played on the UT 1998 championship team, was equally upset:

"They lost a lot of ex-players today, a lot of players who played on that national championship team. A lot of the former players I talked to thought maybe this was his decision to step down now, but he was fired. He deserved a lot better than this. They did him wrong."

The opinion of the current and former Vols notwithstanding, Fullmer’s firing is now a fait accompli.  The task now turns to finding a replacement and that search hasn’t got off to a good start—so far Steve Spurrier (South Carolina) and David Cutcliffe (Duke) have been the subject of speculation and both have flatly said “not interested”