Phillip Fulmer confirmed in a 5 p.m. press conference on November 3, 2008 at Neyland Stadium that he will step down as the University of Tennessee’s head football coach. Fulmer is scheduled to receive a buyout of between $5.47 million and $6 million.
After several minutes detailing his history with Tennessee, beginning as a player in 1969, Fulmer said, “I accept the university’s decision that this will be my last as Tennessee’s head football coach.”
The Vols are 3-6 and 1-5 in the SEC this season, just the ninth time since 1896 that Tennessee has lost six games in a season. The Vols have only lost seven games in a season once, in 1977.
“This 2008 season has not gone as well as anyone would like," Fulmer said. "That includes me, our coaches, our players, our administration and our great fans. Many fans have been supportive. Some have been angry. All of us are disappointed.”
Since opening the season with a 27-24 overtime loss to UCLA on national television, criticism and pressure continued to mount on UT’s coaching staff. Losses to SEC rivals Florida, Georgia and Alabama by a combined margin of 85-29 only caused it to grow.
And as happened to his predecessor, Johnny Majors, a 27-6 loss to South Carolina on the road perhaps proved the final straw.
Fulmer is scheduled to receive a buyout of between $5.47 million and $6 million, depending on the interpretation of his buyout clause. That sum is payable over 48 months.
Source: Knoxville News Sentinel
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