Phillip Fulmer comments on Tennessee situation
Former Tennessee head football coach Phillip Fulmer released a statement through CBS Sports regarding the situation at Tennessee.
Tennessee is looking for a new head coach after the shocking turn of events that saw Lane Kiffin abruptly leave the Volunteers to take over for Pete Carroll at USC.
Fulmer's name had surfaced in multiple reports as a potential head coaching candidate.
Fulmer is now working as a contributor for CBS College Sports Network. Below is his complete statement, where he says he is not interested in the job.
“Over the last 24 hours I have been contacted by friends, great fans and media members, and I feel it is important to comment, as a man who loves the University of Tennessee deeply and shares this love with millions of great Volunteer fans and friends.
Recent events have been painful and an embarrassment to all of us who care about UT. I love the University; I am loyal to my alma mater and am ready to help as the University makes one of the most important decisions in the history of our football program. However, to prevent any misunderstanding, I am not seeking to be a candidate for the head coaching position.
I am looking forward to embracing the next coach and have some strong beliefs about the kind of man he should be. He must embrace Tennessee’s culture and traditions, be mature and of good character, and demonstrate integrity and leadership to our young men who desperately want to be shown the way. He must deserve, earn and keep the trust of our young men -- both present and future.
Tennessee football has been successful for so many years because it has been rooted in values and traditions. We can’t take those values for granted – if we do not guard them carefully, we will lose them.”