I hate to see Phil Fulmer leave Tennessee.

   I'm not a Tennessee fan.  The only reason I care if Tennessee wins is it makes the SEC more interesting.

   But Fulmer was Tennessee.

   He's spent more than 30 years at the school.  Tennessee was his alma mater.  Fulmer started as an offensive lineman, became an assistant coach and later head coach.  Fulmer won a national title and a pair of SEC crowns.  Any coach would love to have his 150-51 record.

   Fulmer was living his dream as Tennesee's football coach. 

   Bottom line, he did things at his alma mater that no coach may ever do again. 

   Fulmer's biggest fault...he wasn't fancy.  With that, when he had trouble against Florida, Alabama and Georgia...Tennessee fans lost patience.

   Fulmer was not an offensive genius. 

   Fulmer was not a defensive guru. 

   But Fulmer was brilliant at delegating.  He ran Tennessee football like a Fortune 500 company.

   There's talk he may stay at Tennessee in another position.

   I hope he moves on and builds another program.  It may be the only way he is ever truly appreciated.

   Al Keck