KNOXVILLE, TN — In a moment that tugged at the very soul of Rocky Top, Phillip Fulmer — the face of Tennessee Volunteers football for over three decades — has officially bid farewell to the University of Tennessee. In a deeply moving message that echoed throughout Big Orange Nation, the legendary coach and former athletic director offered a final thank-you to fans, players, colleagues, and the state of Tennessee. With his voice heavy with emotion and his eyes glassy, Fulmer delivered a heartfelt farewell that marked the end of an era — but not the end of his love for the Vols.
A Man of Tennessee
Phillip Fulmer has long been synonymous with Tennessee football. A native of Winchester, TN, and a former offensive lineman for the Vols, Fulmer has lived, breathed, and bled orange since his youth. From the moment he joined the coaching staff in 1980, to his tenure as head coach beginning in 1992, and later as athletic director in 2017, Fulmer’s impact has been indelible.
“I have always said that I was born a Vol and I’ll die a Vol,” Fulmer said during his farewell message at Neyland Stadium, standing in front of a modest podium with a backdrop of championship banners. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you. This university and this community gave me everything. Coaching here wasn’t just a job — it was a calling.”
The moment was made all the more poignant by the setting: Neyland Stadium, empty but majestic in its silence, served as a hallowed cathedral to Fulmer’s many battles and triumphs. A place where he carved out a 152–52 career coaching record and led the Vols to the 1998 national championship.
The Message That Moved a Nation
The university released a six-minute video of Fulmer’s farewell, which quickly went viral. In it, Fulmer spoke softly, sincerely, and with visible reverence. He referenced his players — “my boys” — his family, the Tennessee fanbase, and the coaching staff members who walked alongside him during the highs and lows.
“I have been blessed to work with some of the finest young men this country has ever produced. Men who came here to work hard, to grow, to win — and to represent this university with pride. Many of them came from nothing and gave everything. I’m proud of every one of them.”
The video showed clips of Fulmer hugging Peyton Manning on the sideline, hoisting the 1998 National Championship trophy, and rallying the team in the locker room. Overlayed were words that cut deep: “You made me who I am. And I hope I gave something back.”
The closing words were simple, but powerful: “To every Vol fan out there — I love you. This isn’t goodbye forever. It’s just time for me to step back. Thank you, Tennessee. I’ll always be watching, always cheering, always a Vol.”
The Legacy Fulmer Leaves Behind
Fulmer’s career as Tennessee’s head coach spanned from 1992 to 2008, a period marked by consistency, pride, and national relevance. His teams won two SEC Championships and never had a losing season until his final year in 2008. His crowning achievement came in 1998, when the Vols went undefeated and won the first-ever BCS National Championship with Tee Martin at quarterback.
Fulmer coached a litany of stars — Peyton Manning, Al Wilson, Peerless Price, John Henderson, and Jason Witten, to name a few. But beyond the household names, Fulmer earned praise for his ability to mold young men into leaders, often citing their growth off the field as his proudest legacy.
“Winning is great,” he said in his farewell, “but seeing these men become husbands, fathers, professionals — that’s the real reward.”
Following his coaching career, Fulmer remained tied to the university and returned as athletic director in 2017, during a turbulent time in the athletic department. He helped stabilize the program, made key hires including football coach Jeremy Pruitt and basketball coach Rick Barnes, and spearheaded major fundraising initiatives that fueled facilities upgrades.
Though his return to athletics was brief — ending in 2021 — Fulmer’s guiding hand helped reestablish Tennessee’s path toward competitiveness.
The Farewell That Brought Tears
Reactions to Fulmer’s farewell message poured in across social media, sports talk shows, and fan blogs. Former players shared heartfelt stories of their time under Fulmer. Peyton Manning, in a video response posted to X (formerly Twitter), said, “Coach Fulmer is more than a coach — he’s a mentor, a father figure, and the ultimate Volunteer. I owe so much of my success to the lessons he taught me on and off the field.”
ESPN’s Paul Finebaum described the moment as “the end of a truly golden chapter in Tennessee football history,” while longtime SEC rival and Georgia coach Mark Richt said, “Phil Fulmer always coached with class. The game respected him, and so did those of us who coached against him.”
Thousands of fans left tributes, many saying they had tears in their eyes watching the farewell. A crowd of supporters gathered outside Neyland Stadium, many holding signs that read “Thank You Coach Fulmer” and “1998 Forever.”
Family, Faith, and Forward
Fulmer emphasized that his departure doesn’t mean the end of his support for the program. “I’ll still be around. I’ll still be watching every Saturday,” he smiled. “But it’s time for the next generation to take the reins. They’ve got great leadership in place now.”
He also shared plans to spend more time with his wife Vicky, their children, and grandchildren — a decision he said was long overdue. “They sacrificed a lot for me to chase this dream. Now it’s time I give back to them.”
Fulmer also hinted at more community and faith-based initiatives he intends to champion in Tennessee. Known for his strong faith, Fulmer said he hopes to use his platform for mentorship and service in the Knoxville area and beyond.
A Moment to Remember
As the sun began to set behind Neyland Stadium, the symbolism was impossible to ignore. One era was ending, but its glow would remain.
Students left flowers and notes at the statue of General Neyland, many addressed to “Coach Fulmer.” One read: “You gave us pride. You gave us championships. But most of all, you gave us hope. Thank you, Coach.”
In a college football world defined increasingly by chaos, transfers, and NIL deals, Fulmer represented something else — stability, tradition, loyalty. His farewell wasn’t just a goodbye from a coach — it was the closing of a cherished chapter in the life of an entire state.
What’s Next for Tennessee
Fulmer leaves Tennessee athletics in a much better place than when he returned as athletic director. The football team, now under the leadership of Josh Heupel, has shown flashes of its former glory. The men’s and women’s basketball programs are nationally competitive. Baseball and softball have emerged as SEC powerhouses. Facilities are top-notch. Recruiting has surged.
The foundation Fulmer helped build and rebuild continues to shape Tennessee’s resurgence.
As fans look toward the future, they do so with the knowledge that Phillip Fulmer’s fingerprints will always be present — in the bricks of the stadium, in the banners above the field, and in the hearts of everyone who’s ever sung “Rocky Top” on a fall Saturday.
Final Thoughts
It’s rare in sports to see a figure as universally respected and beloved as Phillip Fulmer take a bow. Rarer still is the humility and grace with which he’s done so. His farewell was not a spectacle, but a sincere thank-you — one that fans will cherish forever.
As Fulmer walked off the Neyland Stadium turf for the final time, he paused, looked out over the end zones, and mouthed the words that generations of fans will never forget.