[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 185 (Wednesday, December 10, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2360-E2361]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING PHIL FULMER'S TENURE AS UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE'S FOOTBALL 
                                 COACH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 10, 2008

  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Phil 
Fulmer for his impressive record as University of Tennessee's football 
coach. Coach Fulmer finished his career at UT with a record of 152-

[[Page E2361]]

52, including two Southeastern Conference titles, seven SEC Eastern 
Division titles and the 1998 National Championship.
  A Winchester, Tennessee native, Phil graduated from Franklin County 
High School and went on to UT where he played offensive guard for the 
Volunteers' football team. Phil and his team completed the 1969-71 
seasons with a combined record of 30-5, capturing the SEC Championship 
in 1969 and winning the 1971 Liberty Bowl.
  After graduating from UT in 1972, Phil began coaching as a graduate 
assistant in 1972, serving as linebacker coach and defensive 
coordinator for UT's freshman team. From 1974-78, he left UT to coach 
at Wichita State University and later Vanderbilt University.
  Phil returned to his alma mater in 1980 as an assistant coach and 
offensive coordinator. In 1992, he became the 20th head football coach 
of the Volunteers. During his tenure, Tennessee had 17 All-American 
selections, went to 14 bowl games and produced 16 First Round NFL draft 
picks. Phil was named 1998 National Coach of the Year by Sporting News, 
the Football Writers Association of America, the American Football 
Coaches Association, and the Maxwell Football Club. In 1999, he won the 
State Farm Eddie Robinson National Coach of Distinction Award. Phil was 
inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2001. Most recently, 
he was inducted into the Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame, in 2008.
  UT will always be a special place for Phil, having spent more than 34 
years there as a coach, student-athlete and a father of four UT 
students--Phillip, Jr.; Courtney; Brittany; and Allison, who plays on 
the UT softball team. Phil will continue helping his alma mater as a 
special assistant to UT President John Peterson.
  I wish Phil, his wife, Vicky, and their family the best in their 
future endeavors.

                          ____________________