Fulmer to step down as Tennessee coach

Nov 3, 2008 - 11:27 PM KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Call it the end of an era at Tennessee.

Fighting back tears during an emotional news conference, embattled Volunteers football coach Phillip Fulmer announced Monday that he will step down at the end of the season.

Fulmer, 58, is the dean of all Southeastern Conference coaches, posting a 150-51 record in his 17 seasons at Tennessee. He is the second-winningest coach in the program's history and guided the Volunteers to a national championship in 1998.

However, Fulmer is facing a second losing season in four years and has come under fire recently. He admitted Monday that the intense criticism has divided the program.

"I'm too devoted to Tennessee too much to let them stay divided," said Fulmer, a former player at Tennessee. "This is why I accept the university's decision that this will be my last year as coach."

Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton said that Fulmer, who has a career record of 150-51 in Knoxville, will coach the Volunteers' final three regular-season games.

"I do hope that fans will help us celebrate the positive impact he has had on our program and community," Hamilton said.

In addition to the national title, Fulmer guided Tennessee to five appearances in the SEC championship game, winning two. Since the start of the 2005 season, however, the Volunteers are just 27-20.

"Obviously this is a very personal situation that happened today," said Duke coach David Cutcliffe, who worked under Fulmer's as the Volunteers' offensive coordinator from 1993-1998. " Phillip Fulmer is one of the best friends I have in this world. I am saddened to see the end of a great era in college football.

"Not only is Phillip a great person, he is the best football coach I've ever been associated with. His work ethic, attention to detail and recruiting efforts were lessons for all of us who were fortunate enough to work alongside him. I wish Phillip and his family the best as they move forward."

Fulmer also came under fire last season after a 59-20 loss to Florida dropped the Volunteers to 1-2. Tennessee regrouped to finish 10-4 and win the SEC East Division title, but it turned out to be only a temporary reprieve.

"Tennessee has high expectations for its football program and I'm proud that the accomplishments of the last 17 years have been part of those high expectations," Fulmer said.

During Monday's news conference, Fulmer recalled his first game at Tennessee, a 45-19 win over Auburn on September 27, 1969.

"Tennessee football has been the focus of my professional life ever since," he said. "I'm a very lucky man. Very few people are fortunate enough in this world to pursue their true passion even for a little while."

Fulmer was named Tennessee's coach midway through the 1992 season, when he replaced Johnny Majors, who was ill at the time.

Beginning in 1993, the Volunteers won at least 10 games in five of the next six seasons, culminating with a 13-0 campaign in 1998.

"I will remember fondly the battles we fought to get to 150 wins and wish the best for my alma mater," Fulmer added. "It's very difficult to call this the end of coaching career. Right now, I'm devoted to the young men I recruited. We have three games left."

Fulmer's struggles at Tennessee began in 2005, when the Volunteers finished 5-6, the program's first losing season since 1988.

Last week's 27-6 loss at South Carolina dropped Tennessee to 3-6. The Vols will have to win out to become bowl eligible.