KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Vol For Life and 1998 National Championship-winning football coach Phillip Fulmer is recovering after a medical procedure on Thursday at the University of Tennessee Medical Center.
Fulmer’s family released a statement saying the Winchester, Tenn., native was “alert and in good spirits.”
“Phillip underwent a medical procedure Thursday at UT Medical Center. He is alert and in good spirits and will remain at the hospital for a few days. We are thankful for the outstanding care he’s receiving, and we also appreciate the prayers and concern of so many who have reached out. He is looking forward to cheering on the Vols as they kickoff another exciting season!”
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Fulmer played offensive guard for Tennessee under coaches Doug Dickey and Bill Battle. Tennessee during that time won the SEC Championship in 1969, notched an 11-1 record in 1970 and beat Air Force in the 1971 Sugar Bowl.
Fulmer worked as an assistant at UT after graduation and then went to Wichita State for five years, coaching the offensive line for much of his stay in Kansas.
For a year in the late 1970s, Fulmer was an aide to Vanderbilt University’s head coach.
In 1980, he came back to Tennessee for good.
During the next 12 years, Fulmer was an assistant coach, then an offensive line coach, then an assistant head coach and then an offensive coordinator.
In 1992, head coach John Majors had to undergo heart surgery. It proved a pivotal year for Tennessee, Fulmer and Majors himself.
Fulmer took over coaching duties for several games before Majors returned to the field. But in November 1992, Fulmer was announced as the new head coach.
