Report: Phillip Fulmer to be named next Tennessee athletic director
In wake of the firing of Tennessee athletic director John Currie on Friday morning, ESPN’s Chris Low reported former Volunteers coach Phillip Fulmer will become athlethic director.
Low reported Fulmer will be introduced at a press conference later on Friday.
ESPN’s Paul Finebaum cited Low’s report on Twitter writing it is “still being finalized whether (Fulmer) will take on the AD role on an interim basis though the remainder of the coach search or be named the permanent AD.”
Former Hall of Fame coach Phillip Fulmer will be named the Tennessee athletic director later Friday at a press conference. Final details are still being worked out on his contract.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) December 1, 2017
Earlier Friday, Fulmer was reported to be heavily involved the search for a new football coach.
Saturday Down South’s Dan Harralson reported that Fulmer’s involvement isn’t solely for personal gain, as first reported by college football insider Brett McMurphy.
Harralson cited a prominant Tennessee booster who said Fulmer and donors planned to fire Currie on Friday after Tennessee booster and trustee and Cleveland Browns owner Jim Haslam and Currie “planned alone” the attempt to hire Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano and interviewed no other candidates.
I have been told by a prominent UT booster that Fulmer along with many donors planned today's events & is not at a bad look towards Fulmer. Haslam had Fulmer fired in 2008. Haslam & Currie planned alone in attempt to hire Schiano & never talked to Gruden or any other candidates.
— Dan Harralson (@danharralson) December 1, 2017
“I have been told by a prominent UT booster that Fulmer along with many donors planned today's events & is not at a bad look towards Fulmer. Haslam had Fulmer fired in 2008,” Harralson reported. “Haslam & Currie planned alone in attempt to hire Schiano & never talked to Gruden or any other candidates.”
The attempted hiring of Schiano on Sunday sparked angry messages from fans online and student protests on campus that called for Currie’s job.
During his time as Tennessee head coach from 1992-2008, Fulmer led the Volunteers to a National Championship, two SEC Championships and five SEC East titles.
McMurphy reported Friday that Currie was prepared to offer Washington State’s Mike Leach the position of head football coach, but universty officials wouldn’t allow the hire to go through.
Sources: John Currie was prepared to hire Mike Leach but university officials wouldn’t allow him to do so. Phillip Fulmer has been sabotaging search process in hopes to become Tennessee’s AD
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) December 1, 2017
Currie, who was hired eight months ago as athletic director, parted ways with the University on Friday morning after failing to find a new football coach since the firing of Butch Jones in November.
