November 3, 2008

The decision ends a 16-plus year career for the dean of SEC coaches. A news conference inside Neyland Stadium will take place this afternoon at 5 p.m. Eastern, where Fulmer will "step aside."

The Manchester, Tenn., native and former Tennessee offensive linemen is due $6 million for the remaining term of a contract that was renewed for seven years in July. The money is to be paid in equal installments over 48 months.

It is unclear, at this time, what the move signals for the future of the remainder of the Vols' coaching staff.

Defensive coaches Dan Brooks, Steve Caldwell and Larry Slade have been with Fulmer for several years; defensive coordinator John Chavis has been in that post at his alma mater since 1995.

On the offensive side, the Vols have four first-year coaches alongside veteran line coach Greg Adkins. Dave Clawson was hired in January to coordinate the offense. Fulmer hired Latrell Scott, Stan Drayton and Jason Michael to coach wideouts, tailbacks and tight ends, respectively. Each coach has a multi-year deal, with both coordinators on three-year deals.

Fulmer's Vols were shellacked, 27-6, Saturday night at South Carolina, a team that had beaten Tennessee just once - during UT's 5-6 2005 campaign - in 15 years. The setback marked Tennessee's sixth this season, fourth by double figures, and 10th since the beginning of the 2007 campaign.

Sources indicated that Fulmer's fate had been sealed even before the team lost its 20th game since 2005. The Vols are just 3-9 in their last 12 against Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

Further, against the Southeastern Conference's "Big 5" of Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia and LSU they are just 12-21 since 2001.

In 16 full seasons at his alma mater, Fulmer delivered the Vols to incredible highs - culminated by 1998's undefeated national championship squad and a 45-5 run from '95-98.

However, the Vols' 2005 season was their first losing season since 1988 and only their third losing campaign since 1980. One more loss this season would assure Tennessee its second losing season in four years and mark the program's highest number of losses since 1977 - when Johnny Majors was in his first season. It's the only time in Tennessee history that the Vols have lost as many as seven games in a season.

Further damaging to Fulmer is a championship drought that extends to 1998. Tennessee has made three appearances this decade in the SEC Championship game but has twice fallen to LSU (2001, '07) and once to Auburn ('04).

It is the UT program's longest drought without a conference championship since becoming a charter member of the SEC in 1933.

	A lifelong Knoxville resident, Brent Hubbs has covered the Volunteers professionally since 1994. Hubbs founded VolQuest.com in January of 2000 and can also be heard on his weekly radio show or on the Vol Network during pre-game.
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