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One of the most intriguing SEC football storylines was the Tennessee Vols head coaching search. It was a wild ride that started with a whirlwind of backlash when the Vols were closing in on Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano. Fans were unhappy with that decision before Tennessee ultimately rescinded its offer. Then, they whiffed on Mississippi State’s Dan Mullen, Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy, NC State’s Dave Doeren and Washington State’s Mike Leach.
The team eventually landed Jeremy Pruitt, but there is another familiar name that they potentially could have landed.
According to reports, the Vols could have landed current University of Tennessee athletic director and former head football coach Phillip Fulmer. Fulmer was apparently interested in the job, but the school never attempted to gauge his interest.
From Vols beat writer Zach Ragan of AtoZsportsnashville.com:
So a UT booster told the UT president that Phillip Fulmer said “all they would have to do is ask” in regards to coaching Tennessee again 👀
— zach ragan (@zachTNT) March 23, 2018
He adds, “It’s unclear whether Fulmer was willing to return on an interim basis, or as a full-time Head Coach.”
During his time as the Vols head coach from 1992-2008, Fulmer led Tennessee to a 152-52 record. The Vols also claimed two SEC East division titles, two SEC championships and one national championship under the former Coach of the Year, who was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012.
