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Thank you, Coach Fulmer
By rbk | November 3, 2008
Yes, this is a basketball blog, and yes, I try to avoid talking football at all. But I have something to say.
Phillip Fulmer is a great man, a father figure to his players, a mentor, and a great representative of the University of Tennessee, and gave Tennessee football some of its best years ever as head football coach. I have been critical of him at times and I would be lying if I said I didn’t hope for a new direction after our recent failures against big rivals. I wanted UT football to be a success, and I wanted that to happen under Coach Fulmer. When that didn’t seem possible, I, like most of us, started getting ready for Phil’s exit.
I felt mixed emotions when I heard he was out this afternoon. After seeing the man bare his soul in front of friends, family, players, and media in a press conference today, I’m heartbroken. The man bleeds orange, and I can’t even imagine what all of this is doing to him inside. It’s obviously tearing him apart. He’s devoted his entire adult life to this program, and since I was 13 he has been my team’s coach. This is the end of something special. Tumultuous and frustrating at times, but special.
As the football program goes through a period of transition, please treat Coach Fulmer with the class and respect he deserves.
Thank you Coach, for everything you have done for Tennessee– the University, the football program and its players, and the lives of millions of fans who live and die each Saturday with the Big Orange. You will be remembered fondly as one of the all-time great Vols.
Topic: Uncategorized | Tags: off-topic
November 3rd, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Well said. Tip of the cap and deep bow of respect to Coach Fulmer. The National Championship, the Sugar Bowl win over Miami, breaking the Bama streak and countless other big games will remain fond memories. He did it the right way and his players respect him for it.
I know he is angry and disappointed not to finish coaching on his terms. For his sake and for the university, I hope he will take time following the season to seriously consider the offer to remain an ambassador for the program. I hope that he does not become bitter and classless like Johnny Majors. I hope that the new coach will embrace the large shadow cast by Coach Fulmer and be as good at reaching out to Pat/Bruce to keep the family atmosphere alive and well.
We all got what we wanted - let’s hope we are smart with the opportunity. As one ESPN commentator said, this is a high-A job. Get the cream of the crop.
November 3rd, 2008 at 8:03 pm
He brought us good times. We’d better be careful and smart with how we handle his replacement.