Fulmer, AD Hold Emotional Press Conference

Phillip Fulmer will not be the head coach of the Tennessee football team in 2009.

The Head Vol wore his black suit with orange pinstriping and UT lapel pin. He sat down in front of a microphone, took a deep breath, and spoke of his lifelong passion for Tennessee football, his love for his players, his coaching staff, and of being a football coach.

Fulmer spoke with eloquence and grace, with tears glistening in his eyes when he answered a question about the players and coaches who were in the room with him. "It's a family," he said. "That's what we're all about."

Fulmer said he did not accept the administration's decision easily and at one point betrayed a bitter thought or two, voicing that he wished the university had given him more time to turn things around. He also pointed out that Tennessee has been to the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta, on average, once every three years.

AD Mike Hamilton praised Fulmer for his years of service to the University of Tennessee, making it clear that Fulmer would coach out the remainder of the season, including a bowl game should the Vols become bowl eligible. Hamilton also extended an invitation to remain a part of the staff in some capacity, which Fulmer acknowledged he would consider. But Fulmer also questioned whether he could accept the end of his coaching career, opening the door for a coaching job somewhere else.

Regardless of what you think of Phillip Fulmer as a football coach, he is a fine leader of young men and a great human being. Although Tennessee football will be heading in a new direction next year, one can only hope that the program can replace some of the many intangibles that he brought to Knoxville. Phillip Fulmer, college football will miss you.