Tennessee AD Fulmer Retiring; Another Football Coach Fired

Univ. of Tennessee AD Phillip Fulmer "will retire," according to sources. Fulmer "made the decision to step down, and his departure is not tied" to a recruiting investigation into the football program that also led to the firing today of coach Jeremy Pruitt. Fulmer will retire "after UT hires an AD to replace him, because he wants his successor to choose the next football coach." Sources said that Pruitt "was fired for cause" for the alleged violations, meaning the university "will not pay his buyout." Less than four months ago, UT awarded Pruitt a contract extension with a "raise beginning this year and an increased buyout" (KNOXVILLE NEWS SENTINEL, 1/18). UT "has brought in Parker Executive Search" to find an AD (TWITTER.com, 1/18).