Phillip Fulmer family announces former Tennessee coach underwent medical procedure, is 'in good spirits'

The University of Tennessee just announced that Volunteer athletics legend Phillip Fulmer underwent a successful medical procedure and is “in good spirits” as he remains in the hospital recovering.

The school released the following statement Thursday morning, which comes straight from Fulmer’s family:

“Phillip underwent a medical procedure Thursday at UT Medical Center. He is alert and in good spirits and will remain at the hospital for a few days. We are thankful for then outstanding care he’s receiving, and we also appreciate the prayers and concern of so many who have reached out. He is looking forward to cheering on the Vols as they kick off another exciting season!”

Scary news to hear that Fulmer is in the hospital and had to undergo a procedure, but we’re all hoping for a speedy and healthy recovery for the Tennessee legend.

Background on Fulmer, longstanding UT ties

Phillip Fulmer is Tennessee Football, through and through, whether you’re talking about the Volunteers or the state as a whole. Born in Winchester in 1950, Fulmer was raised a ball player and eventually played for the Vols in the late 1960s and early ’70s as an All-SEC guard up front.

After his playing days, Fulmer turned to coaching and coached almost exclusively in Tennessee. Like many rock radio stations, he became intimately familiar with Kansas in the mid-1970s as he served as Wichita State’s linebackers and offensive line coach from ’74 to ’78.

In ’79, he landed back in the Volunteer state for good as a coach when he took a job at Vanderbilt as an assistant. One year later, as the 1980s rolled in, Fulmer signed on as the Tennessee O-line coach, where he stayed for eight seasons. In ’88, he added a title — offensive coordinator — while remaining the OL coach. He held those positions until 1992, when…

Phillip Fulmer took over as the Tennessee Volunteers head coach until 2008. Of course, during that time, UT enjoyed some of the best days in the history of the program, including the best season in most fans’ lives. In 1998, Fulmer and Peyton Manning lead Tennessee to a 13-0 national title season.

Of course, after all the glory of his coaching, Fulmer eventually became the Tennessee athletic director in 2017, but stepped down from that role in 2021.