Phil Fulmer, Tennessee Vol’s head football coach of the last 16 years, has lost his job this season. In his 16 years with Tennessee, Coach Fulmer has led the Vols to a National Championship, a Conference Title, and 5 Division Titles. Coach Fulmer recruited some awesome talents from the NFL’s top quarterback Peyton Manning to All American Al Wilson.

All of his accomplishments were quickly forgotten when he led the Vol’s to a 2008 season that ended 5 – 7. Fans have been outraged all season and the local sports call in radio stations have been swamped with callers demanding his head.

Fan’s got their wish after Tennessee’s 27-6 loss at South Carolina. The following Monday, a shaken Phil Fulmer announced during a press conference that he was accepting the university's decision and would be stepping down as the head coach at the end of the season.

Many have blamed Fulmer’s downfall on his unwillingness to make necessary changes to his staff. Critics say that Fulmer was more loyal to his staff than he was the program. When much of the staff required a reboot and needed to be replaced with new talent, Fulmer refused to do so and now the whole program has suffered as a result.

Coach Fulmer’s pride may be hurt, but not his wallet. During the summer of 2008, he renegotiated a seven-year contract that was worth $2.4 million his last season. The University of Tennessee will spend another estimated $6 million dollars to buy out the remaining years of his contract.

Fans should not be so caught up in the 2008 season, that they forget all the accomplishments Coach Fulmer has made at Tennessee. A former UT alumni and football player himself, Fulmer took the Tennessee program from a regional power to a national one in only a few years. His legacy may be tarnished now, but I believe history will judge Fulmer well. Despite his last season at Tennessee, Fulmer still holds one of the top records for coaches with ten or more years of experience.