Fulmer and Currie both deserve credit in a win for the Vols

They say over time wounds heal, but the scars never go away.

For former Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer there will always be pain over the fact that he got ushered out of his alma mater.

One of those who helped create those wounds by removing the now Hall of Fame coach from his school was current athletics director John Currie.

This afternoon, University president Joe DiPietro and Currie are formally welcoming Fulmer back to Tennessee in an official capacity. Fulmer will serve as a special advisor to the president for "community, athletics and university relations."

As we have noted in the past, Fulmer and DiPietro have developed a good relationship over the last couple years, as Fulmer has worked with him in a volunteer capacity.

But honestly, that's not the story of today. The story is that Fulmer and Currie will share the stage at a press conference and that they will be working together in some, albeit maybe small, capacity moving forward.

And both Fulmer and Currie deserve credit for making it happen. When Currie was hired, one of the first questions he was asked was about his relationship with Fulmer and whether he had reached out to him. Currie took the high road and didn't discuss things publicly.

The truth is that Currie, upon getting the job, called Fulmer but the head coach didn't immediately respond. Currie made it clear he wanted to visit. Those close to Fulmer advised him take the meeting. They didn't want the Vols legend to be bitter towards his alma mater. They noted to Fulmer that he should feel comfortable taking his grandkids to the place he made a football giant in the 90's.

In late spring, the two met face to face in Currie's new office. The details of the conversation aren't real clear other than sources say, “They cleared the air” and perhaps some closure was reached.

Neither have wanted to talk about it publicly. It was indeed a private conversation regarding a very public divorce. But both deserve credit for how they have handled things.

Currie, who has dealt with Kansas State legend Bill Synder, knew the importance of Fulmer being a part of the family. Deep down, Fulmer knew he didn't want to be like the man he replaced in John Majors and go years without being around his school.

So on this June afternoon, the two will visit with the media in a gathering that you wondered would ever take place back in February when Currie was announced as the new athletics director.

The reality is that today is a win for Phillip Fulmer and for John Currie. But more importantly, it's a win for the University of Tennessee, lettermen, and fans of the Big Orange.

The scars will always remain, but this is a big step in healing some long standing wounds.

Kudos to Currie for making Fulmer's relationship to his alma mater a priority. Kudos to Fulmer for being open minded enough to listen and to talk.

Now, it's time for the University and the athletic department to one more thing for the Winchester, Tenn. native who has poured his life into his school. It's time to honor the man whose program won 152 games under his watch in some way inside Neyland Stadium.