After spending more than 30 years of his life as a player, assistant and head coach, Phillip Fulmer announced Monday at a press conference that he accepts the university's decision for him to step down after this season. Fulmer, who has 150 wins in his career, was supported by family and his players at what seemed like a funeral. Players walked in with sad faces and kept emphasizing the word "family."

Fans have been calling for Fulmer's exit since the beginning of the season, when Tennessee lost its first game to UCLA, 27-24 in overtime. Embarrassing losses to Florida, Georgia and Alabama divided the Tennessee fan base, some of which pleaded for athletic director Mike Hamilton to fire Fulmer, while others thought he has earned the respect to leave on his own terms.

Many believed a win against Alabama, coupled with winning the remaining games, would have solidified Fulmer's return next season. However, an offense that is ranked No. 114 in the country could not score a touchdown against its past two opponents.

Despite the Vols' shortcomings this season, Fulmer still acknowledged his past accomplishments.

"I'm very proud of all we have accomplished here at UT," Fulmer said. "We won more than most anyone at any school ever has. We've had some of UT's greatest teams, we've had many of its greatest players. And we've done it right by NCAA rules."

The Vols went 9-4 in 2006 and 10-4 in 2007, after going 5-6 in 2005. After winning the SEC East title last season, Tennessee was expected to finish the season as the third best team in the SEC East division, following Florida and Georgia. The Vols are currently 1-5 in SEC play with two conference games remaining.

"We just came off a 2007 season that we played for the championship in Atlanta for the fifth time in 17 years," Fulmer noted. "That's an average of three...an average of every third year that we were in Atlanta."
Right now, I'm focused on these young men that I recruited to be here with this football team. They have three games left, and I will give them my full devotion to make sure we finish in a positive way. When those games are over, I will step back and reflect."

Now that change is official, Fulmer wants the fans to remain supportive of the players.

"With this decision behind us, I am very hopeful and very confident that the Tennessee people will rally around our young men and start the new road right now. These players have worked hard and deserve it, and the young men out there who will be Vols next year need to see it, as well."

As for Fulmer's replacement, Hamilton hopes to find a qualified candidate in the coming week.

"We will begin a national coaching search immediately," he said in a letter to fans. "We have a great university, world-class student-athletes, a tremendous fans base and first-class facilities. As a result, we will attract some of the nation's best candidates. We will introduce a new coach to you sometime over the next several weeks."

Hamilton also announced the university will honor Fulmer versus Kentucky on Nov. 29 with a "Phillip Fulmer Appreciation Day."

Even former players such as Peyton Manning expressed their feelings about Fulmer leaving.

"This is a sad day for the Tennessee family," Manning said in a UT press release. "Nobody loves the University of Tennessee more than coach Fulmer. Phillip Fulmer is the reason that I chose to come to Tennessee, and it was one of the greatest decisions I ever made. I will always be indebted to him for the impact he has made on my life and my football career.

"I know I speak for hundreds of players when I say it was an honor to have played for him at UT. I am fortunate to have played four years for one of the greatest coaches in the history of college football. His legacy at Tennessee will be that he built men and won championships. he will always be my coach."