I thought I was just kidding the other day when I mentioned that Tennessee’s AD search should turn its eye Phillip Fulmer’s way, but it turns out somebody’s taking that seriously.
The latest twist in Tennessee’s saga of a search for a new athletic director certainly is an intriguing one.
The possibility of former Volunteers football coach Phillip Fulmer becoming the university’s athletic director gained traction this past weekend, and ESPN on Monday reported that Fulmer was a “prime candidate” to replace the outgoing Dave Hart.
When reached for comment by ESPN’s Chris Low, Fulmer neither addressed the athletic director job nor ruled himself out as a candidate, according to the report.
“Since I was 18 years old, UT’s best interests have always been my interest,” Fulmer told ESPN. “I want what is best for UT. (New chancellor) Dr. (Beverly) Davenport has laid out a clear process, and we have to respect the time and her vision to complete that process.”
USA Today also reported Fulmer’s emergence as a viable candidate.
Tennessee’s search process, according to USA Today, has been “murky at best and highly political,” and now “a group of influential boosters have been working behind the scenes to help install” Fulmer as the new athletic director, the national newspaper said.
One can only hope for the resurrection of donut jokes, so I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself here. Fulmer has no previous experience as an athletic director, but at Tennessee, I’m not sure he could do any worse in certain regards than the last two guys he would succeed in the position. Certainly, he would usher in a new relaxed relationship with the local constabulary.
But all falls short of the single best take on his potential hire that I saw yesterday, which would be this.
https://twitter.com/RedCrake/status/821117859141185546
Now that’s an area where Fulmer has experience.
Get The Picture 
wouldnt that just be special.
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Phil Fulmer is a nice guy, loves UT with all his heart, but he wasn’t a bright light as a HC and now after a decade on the sideline (and no one offering him even an average job…for ten years), he is suddenly the best candidate available nationally for the AD job? Isn’t that just amazing, right down the street. Same skill set obviously covers both positions, remember? The same one you didn’t think he had 10 years when you fired him from the lesser position.
Sports has to get over recycling everyone’s family members for jobs and giving anyone that ever walked on their campus major bonus points. I get it, they would love to win for old State U….but so would every fan. Worst hiring/firing practices in America, and that applies to the NFL, MLB. etc.
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Maybe not, but I at least know exactly who the next interim head coach will be.
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Yes, could totally see him as a Barry Alvarez type that inserts himself whenever he gets a chance.
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Good one!
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Met and spoke with Fulmer last year in NY for about 10 minutes. I don’t know if he’s qualified for AD, but he’s very personable and friendly. And a really big guy.
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Calhoun’s stock is up…buy now.
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So Trooper Taylor already turned the job down?
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I am so bummed that Trooper didn’t get the Ole Miss job.
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Do it. M.T.G.A.
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If Fulmer doesn’t work out, Dooley Jr. is recyclable. Then after two years, the Laner will be ready to suck on the Big Orange again. Then Tennessee can change it’s mascot to the Groundhog when the brick mason comes back around.
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UT fans that I know were not enamored with Fulmer when he was their coach but he was recruiting well and winning. Maybe Rocky Top is counting on a bunch of short memories.
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Given the amount of money SEC programs make from television, why are there still boosters who are able to be influential?
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There are no boosters who have any influence with the J Reid Parker Director of Atheletics.
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Can Tee Martin and/or Jim Bob Cooter be far behind?
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That OPPORTUNITY IS NOWHERE gambit by Derek Dooley actually shows what a dumbass he is. For crying out loud, that is what it SPELLS. Of course kids are going to read it that way.
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