The family of former Tennessee football head coach and director of athletics Phillip Fulmer releases statement on his recent medical procedure.
Former Tennessee student-athlete, assistant coach, head coach and director of athletics Phillip Fulmer underwent a medical procedure.
His family released a statement through a University of Tennessee press release.
“Phillip underwent a medical procedure Thursday at UT Medical Center,” UT announced. “He is alert and in good spirits and will remain at the hospital for a few days. We are thankful for the outstanding care he’s receiving, and we also appreciate the prayers and concern of so many who have reached out. He is looking forward to cheering on the Vols as they kickoff another exciting season!”
Fulmer served as the Vols’ head coach from 1992-2008, winning the 1998 BCS national championship.
PHOTOS: Tennessee football head coaches through the years
Tennessee has a storied football program that began play in 1891.
The Vols have won six national championships (1938, 1940, 1950, 1951, 1967, 1998). Robert Neyland won four national championships as Tennessee’s head coach, while Doug Dickey and Phillip Fulmer each guided the Vols to one title.
Tennessee has won 13 Southeastern Conference championships: Phillip Fulmer (2), Johnny Majors (3), Doug Dickey (2), Bowden Wyatt (1) and Robert Neyland (5).
UT won two Southern Conference championships under Neyland in 1927 and 1932.
Tennessee also won the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association title in 1914 under head coach Zora G. Clevenger.
Below are photos of Tennessee’s head coaches through the years.
Phillip Fulmer gave a speech at Knoxville Catholic High School’s football practice.
Former Tennessee player, assistant, head coach and athletics director Phillip Fulmer gave a speech at Knoxville Catholic High School’s football practice on Monday.
“Week 2 of spring practice kicked off today with a speech from one of the greatest coaches in history, and a Tennessee legend,” Knoxville Catholic posted on Twitter. “Thanks for coming coach!”
Knoxville Catholic hired Korey Mobbs as its head coach on April 28.
Week 2 of spring practice kicked off today with a speech from one of the greatest coaches in history, and a Tennessee legend. Thanks for coming coach! @phillipfulmer 🍊🍀 pic.twitter.com/FAuU5GndV7
— Knoxville Catholic Football (@KCIrishFootball) May 10, 2021
Fulmer served as Tennessee’s athletics director from 2017-21.
He compiled a 152-52 record as the Vols’ head coach from 1992-2008, winning the 1998 BCS national championship and the 1997 and 1998 Southeastern Conference titles.
Fulmer served as offensive coordinator and line coach for Tennessee from 1989-92. He solely oversaw the offensive line between 1980-88.
After his playing days for the Vols (1968–71), Fulmer was a student coach at Tennessee from 1972-73.
He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012.
Twitter was all over the news that Kevin Steele is now the new interim head coach at Tennessee
Stop me if you think that you’ve heard this one before: the head coach of a football program is fired and Kevin Steele is named interim head coach. Déjà vu? No, just another day in the SEC.
It was only 17 days ago that we saw Kevin Steele act as interim head coach for Auburn as the Tigers took on Northwestern in the Citrus Bowl. Steele was not retained to Bryan Harsin’s staff (no surprises there) and returned home to his alma mater of Tennessee to take on the role of defensive coordinator.
Just days later head coach Jeremy Pruitt and AD Phillip Fulmer are ousted. Pruitt was fired with cause by the university Monday morning after an internal investigation resulted in the discovery of several major recruiting infractions. Fulmer announced this morning that he is stepping down as athletic director. His retirement is not directly related to the investigation of Pruitt, he just doesn’t want to be the fall-guy in this situation and I get it.
Let’s get back to the details here. Guess who was waiting in the wings to receive the nomination of interim head coach? YES, Kevin (insert middle name here) Steele! Many Volunteer fans have been paying close attention to what Auburn fans have had to say about the possibility of this man becoming a head coach, and well, there’s a mixed bag of responses here. Check them out:
Watch Tennessee ride this year out with Kevin Steele 😣
I just have a bad feeling that Tennessee is gonna be Tennessee and will hire Kevin Steele. I really hope that is not the case but it’s probably going to happen.
You know, I’m not gonna throw a fit if Tennessee hires Kevin Steele. I’d rather lose with a Tennessee guy at the helm. Take our chances. Dude might just be great 🤷🏻♂️
Tennessee definitely shouldn't hire Steele as the head coach for the future.. at this point you've gotta hire someone who is closer to being a "sure thing" than taking a chance on another up and comer or lifetime assistant
Tennessee is not coming back anytime soon, Kevin Steele isn't the answer and if Tennessee is not careful they could turn into what Kentucky was several years ago #TennesseeFootball
The University of Tennessee just nuked its own fball program & knew it was going it do so by the hiring of Kevin Steele a week earlier. This is the biggest "hold my beer" moment in the history of the program.
9-37 career head coaching record for Kevin Steele. Why would the NCAA waste their time punishing us? We just named a guy w quiet possibly the worst record of any coach to lead the vols. That’s punishment enough.
I think Kevin Steele makes a lot of sense as a guy who you could get to take over now and at least see us through these sanctions. I hate that this is where we are at but it's reality.
Kevin Steele should be thanked for falling on this dagger for Tennessee Football. They knew this was coming and his hire was not by mistake. There needs to be more of that around UT athletics. The type that might turn this thing around.
Kevin Steele. Interim head coach at UT. 9-36 overall as head, 1-31 in Conference. That is SO UT!!…/S University of Tennessee Athletic Dept…..(Perpetual ATM machine)…
If it takes one year of Kevin Steele to get Hugh Freeze in 2022, screw it. I can wait a year. Freeze will have one more year to build his credibility at a Christian University
— Nashville Vol Who Wants To Dump The Gump (@HughFreezeToUT) January 18, 2021
LMAO – I'm floored this needed it's own tweet. This entire move was set in motion the second @Vol_Football hired Kevin Steele. https://t.co/UiUZVCeRbp
If Kevin Steele is the Head Football Coach next season, that might be the final nail in the coffin for me…. I was good with him being a defensive assistant, but not head coach. I understand and am good with the interim tag, but surely we can find a new HC by spring ball.
If Kevin Steele is going to be our coach for this year and maybe the foreseeable future, I don’t think that could necessarily be a bad thing. He’s also a DC, similar to Pruitt, and a UT guy. It could work out fine depending on our NCAA punishment
I have no idea where Tennessee goes from this, honestly. In addition to firing Pruitt they also fired nine other football employees for violations. The good news is that Tennessee will have a lot of latitude in finding a new coaching staff with no buyouts attached. The bad news is that they’ll also need to locate a new athletic director and a wrecking crew, I mean football staff, that can clean this mess up.
Former Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt is no longer the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers. Could he be on his way back t…
Former Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt left the Crimson Tide to accept the head coaching job for Alabama’s in-conference rival Tennessee.
In his three seasons with the Volunteers, Pruitt had one winning season and a total record of 16-19.
The defensive-minded coach has spent quite some time at Alabama, as both a player in the 1990’s and as an assistant serving various different roles for the program.
The announcement of Tennessee and Pruitt parting ways will reportedly also consist of plans for the future of the University’s Athletic Director position, as former football head coach, and current athletic director, Phillip Fulmer, will soon be retiring.
Sources: Tennessee will be parting ways with coach Jeremy Pruitt today. AD Phil Fulmer's future will also be addressed.
With Pruitt no longer a head coach, and likely in search of a job, could Alabama decide to bring him back?
His sporadic resume with the Crimson Tide has shown him working for the program in an assistant coaching role three separate times, with numerous stops at different jobs in between. This would be Pruitt’s fourth time being hired by Alabama.
Surely, Pruitt could be interested in returning to the program, but is the desire mutually shared?
While there has been no official word from Alabama’s side, Pruitt definitely seems to think he’d be welcomed back.
Been trending this way for weeks. Jeremy Pruitt has told those around him this year if he gets fired, he'll just go back to Alabama and work for Saban again. https://t.co/oPqRRRc4gn
Nick Saban already has a defensive coordinator. Would Pruitt serve in a smaller role, or could there be a change in staff and Pete Golding’s time at the helm of the Crimson Tide defense comes to an end after only two seasons?
Roll Tide Wire will publish any updates regarding Jeremy Pruitt and his potential return to the Crimson Tide.
Former Vol Kevin Steele is returning to Tennessee.
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Former Vol Kevin Steele is returning to Tennessee.
He will be on Tennessee’s coaching staff as a defensive assistant.
“Linda and I are excited to be coming home,” Steele said in a University of Tennessee press release. “Tennessee is a special place to me personally. I am truly grateful to Coach Pruitt and Coach Fulmer for this opportunity, and I am eager to get to work alongside them once again. I look forward to helping create an environment where our players are successful and truly embrace what it means to be a Volunteer.”
Steele began his coaching career as a student assistant in 1980 under Johnny Majors for the Vols.
Steele was a graduate assistant (1981) and outside linebackers coach (1982) at Tennessee. In 1987-88 he was defensive backs coach under Majors at UT.
Wide receivers coach Tee Martin and inside linebackers coach Brian Niedermeyer have expiring contracts on Jan. 31, 2021.
Tennessee could potentially look to fill four or more assistant coaching positions this offseason.
Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire
Offensive coordinator Jim Chaney has a history of coaching alongside John Peterson.
Peterson served as offensive line coach when Chaney was offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Pittsburgh in 2015. He is currently serving as offensive tackles and tight ends coach at Youngstown State.
“I definitely still keep in contact with Jim and I think it is a great hire for a lot of different reasons,” Peterson told Vols Wire. “He is an outstanding recruiter and an evaluator that does a great job in all facets. Pulling Chaney away from Georgia is a big deal.
“I went through seven offensive coordinators in a seven-year span and he by far was the best game-planner. He is truly an expert of putting together different facets and really understanding what the players can do and building strengths around them. He is a very intelligent person, but also relates well and is a very good communicator with the coaching staff and the players, so I think he is a great hire for Tennessee.”
If Chaney is looked upon to fulfill another year on his Tennessee contract, Peterson could potentially become a candidate in replacing Friend.
A move for Peterson to have any discussions to reunite with Chaney on Pruitt’s staff would ultimately be decided with Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer and his support for the head coach he hired three years ago.
Tennessee will play West Virginia in the Liberty Bowl.
Tennessee (3-7, 3-7 SEC) concluded its 2020 10-game, SEC-only regular season Saturday at Neyland Stadium.
After losing to Texas A&M, 34-13, Saturday, the Vols will have one more game remaining during the 2020 campaign.
Tennessee will play West Virginia (5-4, 4-4 Big 12) in the 62nd AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Dec. 31 in Memphis, Tennessee.
The contest will kick off at 4 p.m. EST with ESPN televising the matchup.
Tennessee Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer discussed the Vols playing in the Liberty and head coach Jeremy Pruitt finishing his third season ahead of spring practices early next year.
“I’m thrilled about our football program’s opportunity to compete in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl against a great opponent like West Virginia,” Fulmer said. “First, it’s an opportunity to connect with our many fans throughout West Tennessee and expand upon the rich historical links between the Memphis area and UT. We have so much Tennessee family in and around Memphis—especially our medical school and fantastic alumni. And secondly, it’s a tremendous development opportunity for our team and should serve as a primer to spring practice for Coach Pruitt and our returners.
“We all know Memphis loves the Tennessee Vols, and it’s an important stronghold for all of our athletic and academic programs.”
Curley Hallman discusses how Phillip Fulmer understands staying with Jeremy Pruitt through Vols’ rebuild.
Tennessee (3-6, 3-6 SEC) plays host to No. 5 Texas A&M (7-1, 7-1 SEC) Saturday at Neyland Stadium.
Kickoff is slated for noon EST. ESPN will televise the contest.
Tennessee will play its regular season finale as the early signing period concludes. The 2021 signing class is Jeremy Pruitt’s third as Tennessee’s head coach.
The season has not went the direction that Pruitt would like during the 2020 10-game, SEC-only campaign due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Tennessee ended a six-game losing streak last week with a 42-17 victory at Vanderbilt.
Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire
Pruitt began his coaching career at Alabama in 1997 as a graduate assistant working under defensive backs coach Curley Hallman.
Hallman played defensive back at Texas A&M from 1966-68 for head coach Gene Stallings. He would later serve as an assistant at Alabama, Clemson and Texas A&M before becoming a head coach at Southern Miss (1988-90) and LSU (1991-94).
After his time at LSU, Hallman coached Pruitt as a player at Alabama and then had the current Vols’ head coach work directly under him in the secondary.
With the Southeastern Conference having three head coaching changes at South Carolina, Vanderbilt and Auburn during a season taking place in a pandemic, Hallman understands first-hand how pressure can mount leading a program in the SEC.
During his time at LSU, the Tigers compiled a 16-28 record (10-21 SEC).
“I keep up with all of the people in this occupation that I was associated with,” Hallman told Vols Wire as Tennessee prepares to play his alma mater. “The occupation is tough, but I try to keep up with Jeremy and Tennessee as close as I can.
“Of course this weekend, they play my Texas A&M Aggies, so naturally I’ll be pulling for A&M. I was a former coach there, and offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey I hired years ago, but that’s where I went to school and played for Coach Stallings.”
Nov 5, 1994; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; FILE PHOTO; LSU Fighting Tigers head coach Curley Hallman shakes hands with Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Gene Stallings after the game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Network
Hallman understands that at a place like Tennessee, the program has expectations, a passionate fan base and big money boosters that make pivotal decisions.
“When you are trying to rebuild something, it takes a little longer than maybe what the fans and the big money supporters are looking for,” Hallman said. “Naturally it takes recruiting, talented athletes, and I go back to my situation at LSU, there are two things there that I’m very proud of. We recruited our fannies off and made some progress, but it never quite showed. The other thing there, I started a scholarship fund for any former player.
“The bottom line is, doing those things in recruiting, there’s got to be chemistry. We never could get that quite going at LSU like we did at Southern Miss. We developed football team chemistry at Southern Miss, and not sure if that has quite gelled for Jeremy at Tennessee, but I know he is going to recruit hard, work hard, he is going to care for his players and be tough on them. Scheduling is also important. In Jeremy’s situation at Tennessee, with the pandemic going on, and not having some lesser opponents, the fans want to see a big game every game and all that, but to develop young talent and to be able to play a lot of people, sometimes you need that scheduling. I just know one thing, that Jeremy Pruitt is going to recruit and stay positive – and what you need on a football team is one or two true difference makers. I’m not sure how many difference makers Jeremy has.”
Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire
Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer, a former Tennessee player, assistant and head coach, hired Pruitt nearly three years to the date of the 2020 regular season finale.
No matter the outcome of the Tennessee-Texas A&M game, Hallman believes that Fulmer can show his confidence in Pruitt by stressing that the third-year head coach is continuing the Vols’ rebuilding process.
“I just hope, no matter the outcome of this next game is, that Coach Fulmer, who understands the game in every aspect, that he will motivate those people to work forward and have confidence in what Jeremy knows how to get it done,” Hallman said. “When you are at a great program like the University of Tennessee, a lot of times there is very little patience with the fan base. Tennessee has tremendous love and loyalty to their school, especially the football program, so there is a lot of negativity that runs left and right, that feeds fuel to the fire. Tennessee is one of those fan bases, where in modern day time, people do not have a lot of patience.
“Jeremy is going to be a tireless worker, and I just hope those people backup and say this is three years of trying to get the talent level where it needs to, and it’s Jeremy’s job, his staff’s job and those players. It’s complicated explaining what the team chemistry is. If you ever get that going in a positive direction, then some day they’ll line up and be competitive in every game and win a great majority of those games. I think the athletic director, born and bred in football, I know Phillip understands that, and they will stay with Jeremy through this rebuilding and trying times.”
Tennessee plays Texas A&M Saturday at Neyland Stadium.
Tennessee (3-6, 3-6 SEC) concludes its regular season Saturday by hosting No. 5 Texas A&M (7-1, 7-1 SEC).
Kickoff is slated for noon EST. ESPN will televise the matchup.
Third-year Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt kicked off game week ahead of playing the Aggies with his Monday press conference.
Tennessee enters the contest after defeating Vanderbilt, 42-17, ending a six-game losing streak.
Dec 7, 2017; Knoxville, TN, USA; University of Tennessee Athletic Director Phillip Fulmer (left) introduces Jeremy Pruitt (right) during his introduction ceremony as Tennessee’s next head football coach at the Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Calvin Mattheis/Knoxville News Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK
Pruitt was asked if he had any assurances from Tennessee Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer that he will be back next year as head coach.
“We have been focusing on our everyday at practice, the teams that we are playing,” Pruitt said. “All of that stuff is always at the end of the season. We have just been working hard to be the best that we could possibly be.”
