Phil Fulmer Biography

University of Tennessee Head Football Coach
Phil Fulmer Biography

Phillip Fulmer was born September 1, 1950 in Winchester, Tennessee. He attended Franklin County High School before enrolling at the University of Tennessee. As an offensive guard for the Tennessee Volunteers, Fulmer and the team completed the 1969-71 seasons with an astounding combined total record of 30-5. They captured the SEC Championship in 1969 and won the 1971 Liberty Bowl.

Phil Fulmer talks to Vandy coach Bobby Johnson.

Phil Fulmer talks to Vandy coach Bobby Johnson. Thanks bamaisback2006 at flickr.com for the picture.

Fulmer spent the 1974-1978 seasons coaching the offensive line and linebackers at Wichita State University, followed by one season spent at Vanderbilt University.

Loyal to his Volunteer roots, Coach Fulmer returned to the University of Tennessee in 1980 as an assistant coach and offensive coordinator until 1991. In 1992 he took the reigns as head football coach of the Tennessee Volunteers.

In Coach Fulmer's 14 seasons as head coach at UT, he has achieved a 77% winning record, with 137 wins and only 41 losses. 69 of his players have been drafted by the NFL, including 13 first-round draft picks. In the past two seasons, Fulmer's team has had more graduates on NFL opening-day rosters than any other school.

From 1995 to 1998, the Volunteers went 45-5, the most victories over a four year span in University of Tennessee history. Under Phil Fulmer's guidance, UT achieved back-to-back Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championships in 1997 and 1998. In the last ten years, the Vols have won five SEC Eastern Division Championships. Of course, 1998 was a magical, undefeated, season, when the Vols won the National Championship. For more about that, check out Biggest All-Time NCAA College Football Game.

Coach Fulmer's honors include being named

1993 -- Regional Coach of the Year

1998 -- SEC Coach of the Year and National Coach of the Year

1999 -- State Farm Eddie Robinson National Coach of Distinction Award

2001 -- Inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame

Phillip Fulmer's 100th career win came on November 2, 2002 when UT defeated South Carolina 18-10. Fulmer was the 5th fastest coach in the history of college football to reach 100 victories at one school.

In 2006, the Volunteers finished 9-4 overall and 5-3 in the SEC (good enough for 2nd place in the Eastern Division). They defeated two top-10 schools, California and Georgia. The Vols also played eventual National Champ, Florida tougher than anyone else, losing to them by only 1 point at home (21-20).

In addition to outstanding players, Coach Fulmer can boast that his team includes outstanding students as well. In the last two seasons, the Volunteers have led the SEC in Academic Honor Roll recipients (in the Fall Semester).

In his life away from coaching college football, Phillip Fulmer and his wife, Vicky, have four children. Phillip Jr. was born March 25, 1970, Courtney was born January 25, 1983, Brittany, April 22, 1985 and Allison, September 13, 1986. (FYI -- Allison plays on the University of Tennessee softball team.

Fulmer is also dedicated to supporting the Knoxville community and service organizations generally. Among others, he has served on the board of directors for Knoxville's Child and Family Services, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the American Football Coaches Association.

Phil Fulmer goes into the 2007 season facing a bit of pressure from Tennessee fans. 2005 was a particularly bad season as Tennessee did not have a winning record and did not play in a bowl game. But, there have been many disappointments since the 1998 Championship game. Tennessee fans have high expectations. It would be really good for everyone if Fulmer and Vols deliver in 2007. By deliver -- I mean beat Florida and win the SEC East.

Update: Well, the Vols didn't beat Florida -- but they did manage to win the SEC East after a turbulent season. Fulmer and the Vols were on the ropes until they got a huge win against Georgia. That propelled them to the SEC East Championship. They later beat Wisconsin in the 2008 Outback Bowl. So, very nice year in the end. 2008 will be tougher.

Indeed, so far, 2008 has proven tougher. For the latest, read Fire Phil Fulmer?

For more information about Phil Fulmer and Tennessee Volunteers Football, see 2008 Tennessee Football; 2007 Tennessee Football.

To learn more about current information about Tennessee Football, check out Tennessee Volunteers Football and Tennessee Volunteers Football History.

Phil Fulmer Biography
Phil Fulmer Biography
Phil Fulmer Biography

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children Not rated yet
You posted that Phil and his wife Vicky have 4 children. I beleive his son is not Vicky's child.

A loss, but it had to happen Not rated yet
We all love Phil Fulmer and he has been a great coach, but there has to be an end to every good thing.

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