Tennessee Football: Sorry, Phillip Fulmer won’t take over Vols

You have seen it on social media, maybe it was you proclaiming for Phillip Fulmer  to take over the Vols, but he said his coaching days are “long closed.”

Phillip Fulmer has easily been the most successful coach over the past 20 or so years, but his return to the sidelines as a head coach is improbable.

Fulmer addressed the rumblings on the “Vol Calls” show, and he shut down all talks about him taking over as the Tennessee head coach.

"“The other thing that keeps coming up, and I am going to just address it, the coaching chapter of my life is long closed,” Fulmer said. “I love doing what I am doing at UT, but I love more being with my family and grandchildren.”"

I never expected him to step back into that role no matter how bad it got, nor do I think it would be a very good idea. It also looks like family is a top priority on his list and coaching football takes a lot of time that he’s probably not willing to give up.

He also discussed his thoughts on Jeremy Pruitt early in his second year. Fulmer is a dream AD for coaches, so his response on Pruitt didn’t surprise me.

"“I totally believe in coach Pruitt and the job he is doing,” Fulmer said. “He is a leader and a recruiter, he is a hard worker, he is tough-minded.”"

Pruitt was Fulmer’s pick, so if you think he’s going to give him the boot prematurely, then you’re off your rocker. Fulmer is going to provide Pruitt with as much time as he needs to fix things at Tennessee.

If Fulmer sees this as a six-year project, then Pruitt is going to get six years unless he can’t break six wins next year then we might be having a different conversation.

I don’t see Pruitt going anywhere anytime soon so if you’re not happy with how the program is being run right now all I can tell you is sit back and relax because Pruitt is going to be the Tennessee head coach for the next couple of years.