Look: Vols legend visits Tennessee to kick off June
A Tennessee Vols legend was spotted at UT's football facilities on Thursday to kick off the month of June. Vols special teams coordinator/outside linebackers coach Mike Ekeler tweeted a photo of former Tennessee head coach/athletic director Phillip Fulmer on Thursday. Ekeler said in the tweet that Fulmer stopped by his office to talk shop while […]
A Tennessee Vols legend was spotted at UT's football facilities on Thursday to kick off the month of June.
Vols special teams coordinator/outside linebackers coach Mike Ekeler tweeted a photo of former Tennessee head coach/athletic director Phillip Fulmer on Thursday.
Ekeler said in the tweet that Fulmer stopped by his office to talk shop while he was in the facilities.
Fulmer most recently served as Tennessee's athletic director from late 2017 to early 2021. Fulmer took over as the Vols' athletic director after John Currie was fired during Tennessee's memorable 2017 coaching search that ended with Fulmer hiring Jeremy Pruitt.
Pruitt was eventually fired for recruiting violations that happened on Fulmer's watch. Fulmer stepped down when Pruitt was fired.
The NCAA still hasn't handed down penalties to Tennessee.
Fulmer's legacy at Tennessee is certainly complex thanks to his time as UT's athletic director. On one hand, Fulmer presided over one of the worst eras of Tennessee football that the program has seen. But on the other hand, he was the head coach during some of the best years the program has seen.
Ultimately, there aren't many people on this planet who love Tennessee more than Fulmer. And there's no doubt that he wanted the best for the program during his time as the athletic director. It just didn't work out the way he envisioned.
Having Fulmer around is a good thing. And it's no surprise that Josh Heupel and his staff have no issues welcoming a Tennessee legend back to campus as often as possible.
Featured image via Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
