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One of the first things Tennessee coach Derek Dooley did after getting the job back in February was to reach out to Phillip Fulmer.
He called Fulmer personally and told the former longtime Tennessee coach that he wanted to meet with him. Fulmer was fired following the 2008 season, but still lives right outside Knoxville in nearby Maryville.
Hes been very gracious and very supportive, and Im appreciative of that, Dooley said. I know what hes going through isnt easy. Hey, any time youve been at a place a long time like him and had the success that hes had and it doesnt end the way you want it to end, its hard and hard emotionally. I understand that.
Im not getting in the middle of what happened, but I do understand he has a lot of pain over it. Im also appreciative that hes supportive of me and what were trying to do here. Its obvious that he loves Tennessee and always will.
Dooleys reaching out to Fulmer was in direct contrast to what happened when Lane Kiffin took the job. Kiffin had a secretary call Fulmer and ask him to come meet with Kiffin at the Vols football complex.
Needless to say, that meeting never occurred, and Kiffin and Fulmer had no relationship.
Dooley said its important to him that he and Fulmer have a healthy relationship. They met for dinner at Fulmers house soon after signing day.
I called him on the phone right when I took the job and told him how much respect I had for him and what hed done here and was humbled to have the job that he had, Dooley said. I told him that I hoped, in time, that he would be supportive, and he has been.
Fulmer, who spent more than 30 years at Tennessee as a player, assistant coach and head coach, invited Dooley over to his house after recruiting.
We had a nice dinner, and it was just the two of us, no wives, Dooley joked. It was two coaches talking, and I did more listening. He was a great resource for me to get started.
Dooley said he has not spoken with Kiffin since taking the Tennessee job and has no plans to at this point.
I dont know Lane, and its not because of anything, Dooley said. I just dont know him. You know, I really have no real reason to talk with him.
As per Chris Low on ESPN
He called Fulmer personally and told the former longtime Tennessee coach that he wanted to meet with him. Fulmer was fired following the 2008 season, but still lives right outside Knoxville in nearby Maryville.
Hes been very gracious and very supportive, and Im appreciative of that, Dooley said. I know what hes going through isnt easy. Hey, any time youve been at a place a long time like him and had the success that hes had and it doesnt end the way you want it to end, its hard and hard emotionally. I understand that.
Im not getting in the middle of what happened, but I do understand he has a lot of pain over it. Im also appreciative that hes supportive of me and what were trying to do here. Its obvious that he loves Tennessee and always will.
Dooleys reaching out to Fulmer was in direct contrast to what happened when Lane Kiffin took the job. Kiffin had a secretary call Fulmer and ask him to come meet with Kiffin at the Vols football complex.
Needless to say, that meeting never occurred, and Kiffin and Fulmer had no relationship.
Dooley said its important to him that he and Fulmer have a healthy relationship. They met for dinner at Fulmers house soon after signing day.
I called him on the phone right when I took the job and told him how much respect I had for him and what hed done here and was humbled to have the job that he had, Dooley said. I told him that I hoped, in time, that he would be supportive, and he has been.
Fulmer, who spent more than 30 years at Tennessee as a player, assistant coach and head coach, invited Dooley over to his house after recruiting.
We had a nice dinner, and it was just the two of us, no wives, Dooley joked. It was two coaches talking, and I did more listening. He was a great resource for me to get started.
Dooley said he has not spoken with Kiffin since taking the Tennessee job and has no plans to at this point.
I dont know Lane, and its not because of anything, Dooley said. I just dont know him. You know, I really have no real reason to talk with him.
As per Chris Low on ESPN
