One of Tennesseeās self-reported violations in football was in regard to something Athletics Director Phillip Fulmer did during the season.
Fulmer regularly attends Tennesseeās football practices and observes the players and coaches. That itself isnāt a violation. But heās not a salaried coach and isnāt part of UTās coaching staff, so he canāt provide instruction to any of Tennesseeās players.
The former National Championship-winning coach wasnāt aware of that when he instructed some of UTās offensive linemen during a practice in September, however.
Fulmer himself reported the minor violation, and Tennessee stated that Fulmer āprovided brief encouragement/instruction to two football student-athletes who were engaged in a blocking drill. The encouragement/instruction lasted less than 30 seconds.ā
The specific bylaw that Fulmer violated states that any institutional staff member must count against the coaching staff limits set down by the NCAA if he engages in ātechnical or tactical instruction with players, assists in tactical decision during games or practice, or engages in off-campus recruiting.ā
The infraction occurred during a September 11th practice, the report states.
Tennesseeās self-reported violation went on to state that Fulmer āis a former football coachā and that he āwas acting on instinct communicating encouragement/instruction to two offensive linemen as he walked past a drill while viewing the teamās practice.ā
Fulmer and Tennessee didnāt receive any major punishment for the minor violation. The SEC ruled that Fulmer should be prohibited from attending practice for five days and that UT educate all their coaches and non-coaching staff members on the bylaws pertaining to coaching activity. The NCAA didnāt take any further action after those punishments were doled out