Report: Tennessee working on long-term extension for AD Phillip Fulmer

According to John Brice, Tennessee is close to a multi-year contract with athletics director Phillip Fulmer. Brice appeared on 3HL on 104.5 The Zone in Nashville on Friday.

Brice went further on this with gridironnow.com.

Fulmer took the job on December 1st — right in the middle of the infamous Tennessee football head coaching search. Former AD John Currie was called to return to Knoxville in the middle of his efforts to hire Washington State’s Mike Leach. He was suspended upon his arrival and Fulmer was immediately put in his place.

Despite no previous AD experience, Fulmer had an instant calming presence on the hiring process. Within days, Fulmer had narrowed his choices to three — eventually locking in on Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt.

For the first time in a long time, Tennessee fans actually have some confidence in their decision makers. With things finally settling down, it makes sense for Tennessee to work on a contract extension.

According to Brice’s report, Fulmer’s new deal would be in the four year, $900,000 range — right on par with the rest of the athletic directors in the SEC.

And let’s be clear, Fulmer’s role goes much deeper than the football field. However, he’s done nothing to suggest that he’s not capable of handling those non-football things. The full answer to that question will come in time, but it’s hard to deny the unifying effect that Fulmer has had on this fanbase so far.