Today marks one year since the release of Phillip Fulmer

by Joel Hollingsworth on Nov 3, 2009 6:58 AM EST in Tennessee Volunteer Football

One year ago today, just as Vol fans were coming to terms with the extreme disappointment of 2008 and rolling out the Wyoming Hail Mary Haiku, news broke of a pending press conference to announce the release of Phillip Fulmer as Tennessee's head coach. It was the most mournful open thread we've ever had at RTT, and video of the press conference confirms why.

We at RTT loved Fulmer, and the tributes to the man who devoted almost all of his career to the University of Tennessee football program commenced immediately. (That doesn't mean that we thought he should not have been released -- we never took a position on the matter.) The optimism rampant on Rocky Top right now is in stark contrast to the despair that permeated last season, and no one here is saying that Mike Hamilton made a mistake. Tennessee football is trending back in the right direction under Lane Kiffin, no doubt, and we're enjoying it immensely.

Yet we're hopeful that Vol fans can somehow both simultaneously appreciate the Kiffin Chimera and appreciate Fulmer's great contribution to the program. We understand that as difficult as it is for fans to reconcile their feelings toward both staffs, it has to be much, much more difficult for Fulmer to transition from where he was one year ago today to publicly supporting the program. But he is a good man, and as awkward as it must be, we hope that the day comes sooner rather than later that all wounds are healed and that Fulmer and the new regime both feel comfortable enough to join hands.

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152-52 career record.
1 National Championship.
30+ years of dedication as a Tennessee Volunteer, conducting — for as much as one can hope of with a college coach — the position with class, dignity, and the way you’d expect a Southern Gentleman from Tennessee to do it. I know I’ll work like heck to keep Phillip Fulmer remembered.

Tennessee Fans: We win at teh Internet!

by bobo_the_vol on Nov 3, 2009 8:27 AM EST reply actions

If he takes a job next year

I think once his time there is done – wherever it is, and regardless of success or failure – when he fully retires, I think he’ll be welcomed and celebrated here. It cannot possibly be more awkward than Majors & Fulmer, and we still got those guys in the same room or on the same field a couple of times.

Rocky Top Talk

by Will Shelton on Nov 3, 2009 11:14 AM EST reply actions

My Coach

I am loving the Kiffin era too, if he can manage to not get us suspended. I wanted Fulmer to stay a year ago. I blamed Clawson for our demise and felt Fulmer and the rest of the staff was more than capable to returning us to our winning ways. That is all water under the bridge now. Fulmer came on as head coach my Sophomore year and what a great time in Volunteer Football!!!!! I will always remember the great wins of his era as the some of the best in Tennessee History!!!!

Go Vols!

by Rocky Top on Nov 4, 2009 6:07 AM EST reply actions