UT's Fulmer Won't Return Next Season

[DMS]

Fulmer, 58, his voice cracking and pausing to keep his composure, announced Monday at a news conference that he will step aside at the end of the season. He said he was "accepting the university's decision."

Fulmer had a 150-51 record with the Vols, including the national championship in 1998.

But Tennessee fell on hard times this season and was just 3-6, including 1-5 in the Southeastern Conference after a 27-6 loss at South Carolina on Saturday.

"Many fans have been supportive, some have been very angry. All of us are disappointed," Fulmer said about this season.

Fulmer signed a new seven-year contract in the summer which was worth $2.4 million this season. A buyout of the contract after this season would cost $6 million.

He is the nation's third-winningest active coach among coaches with 10 years of experience, trailing only Florida's State's Bobby Bowden and Penn State's Joe Paterno.

http://www.wsmv.com/news/17873485/detail.html