Knoxville, Tenn.—Former University of Tennessee Football Coach Phillip Fulmer is the new Athletic Director for the university.
Both Fulmer and UT Chancellor Beverly Davenport appeared at a press conference to make the official announcement this afternoon that aired on WENK and WTPR.
Fulmer said the University of Tennessee is a “fantastic institution” whose graduates “are changing the world”. The athletic program “connects our students and alumni” to the rest of the world, he said.
As the new AD, Davenport said, Fulmer will direct the search for a new football coach.
Fulmer said, “Our first job is to renew the football program It will not be easy and it will take some time, but we will succeed. First we have to find a coach who wants to be at Tennessee…and who is driven to win at the highest level of football.”
Fulmer said, “I’ve been a part of the Tennessee football program when it’s been at its best”. He pledged to direct the program with integrity and energy. He said UT already has “some real good commitments” for the team.
Fulmer said he will not step in as interim coach.
Davenport said she had suspended former AD John Currie earlier in the day. Currie was dismissed after only eight months on the job. Currie had been under fire from UT fans after several attempts to hire a new head coach have failed. Former UT Football Coach Butch Jones was fired in November.
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