Phillip Fulmer Out
Phillip Fulmer Out With his wife at his side, an emotional Phillip Fulmer announced Monday that he had accepted Tennessee's decision that this will be his last season as the Volunteers coach.

"Many fans have been supportive, some have been very angry. All of us are disappointed," Fulmer said about this season."

The long time Vols coach is being forced out after 17 years as Tennessee's coach, a run that included two SEC championships and a national championship. Fulmer has compiled a 150-51 record with the Volunteers, including the 1998 NCAA title, Tennessee's first since 1951.

"This is not an easy day for me or my family." said Fulmer. "It is not a day that I sought or accepted easily."

Fulmer went on to say, "Our Tennessee family is united in its goals, but divided in the right path to get there. I love Tennessee too much to
let her stay divided. That is why I accept the university's decision that this will be my last season as Tennessee's football coach."

Tennessee has had a rough go of it this season and is just 3-6, including 1-5 in the SEC after a 27-6 loss at South Carolina on Saturday.

He signed a new seven-year contract in the summer which was worth $2.4 million this season. He will receive $6 million as a buyout of the contract, payable over a 48-month period.

Fulmer is the nation's third-highest winning coach among active coaches with 10 years of experience. He is behind only Florida's State's Bobby Bowden and Penn State's Joe Paterno.

"It's a tough part of the profession," Florida coach Urban Meyer said.

Athletic director Mike Hamilton said Fulmer was asked to stay with the program in an administrative capacity, but Fulmer said he has not decided what he will do next.