University of Tennessee Athletics
Transcript From Friday's Tennessee Athletics Press Conference
December 01, 2017 | General
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Chancellor Dr. Beverly Davenport
Opening Statement:
"Good afternoon. First, thank all of you all for being here today. It has indeed been a difficult week. It's been a difficult road at times to get to where we are. This hasn't been an easy process for any of us, and I want you to know that I regret deeply any hurt that has been caused.
"I have heard from so many in Vol Nation, and I appreciate what they have to say. They love this university. Since arriving here just nine months ago, I have come to admire and respect more than ever our facility, our students who are incredible, our staff, our supporters, our donors and our alumni and their remarkable commitment to this university. Our supporters have been passionate and vocal, but they have been steadfast in reminding us what makes this university and athletics an exceptional program and it's the people. I don't take that for granted.
"I have come to understand and appreciate the love that so many people have for Tennessee athletics.
"Early yesterday afternoon, I asked John Currie to return to Knoxville before going forward with the search. That request had nothing to do with any specific coach. When there are high expectations about a great place, those high expectations come with challenges and challenges require tough decisions. Today required one of those decisions.
"This morning, I decided to make a change in leadership in our athletics department. It's a decision that I feel was in the best interest of this university. John Currie has been suspended, and Phillip Fulmer has agreed to step in as our athletic director.
"I want you to know John Currie has worked tirelessly in his position, and I respect him for his commitment and contributions to the University of Tennessee.
"This process was not satisfactory.
"Several weeks ago, I asked John Currie to lead a search for our new head football coach. He was given full authority to find the best coach for Tennessee.
"But we are here today to begin a new era and a new opportunity to move the University of Tennessee forward. I asked Phillip today if he would lead our athletic department for the foreseeable future. And I asked him to take the reins of our search for the next head football coach.
"I have had the opportunity to get to know Phillip Fulmer over the past year. He and I talked during the AD search and have remained colleagues during my transition here.
"I greatly appreciate how helpful, supportive and respectful he has been to me since I have been here. I will continue to work with him in his new position as a special assistant to the University of Tennessee System President Joe DiPietro. He understands well the expectations for this athletics department and football program.
"Before we take questions, I want to take this opportunity again to thank Vol Nation for their support and love of this great university. Please know that my goals and our goals are the same. Yes, we want a successful football program. Yes, we believe in this great university and its potential. It's a source of pride for all of us, and I couldn't be more proud to be the chancellor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
"With those, I want to turn it over to Phillip Fulmer. I don't think he needs an introduction, but I want to introduce our newest athletics director: Phillip Fulmer."
University of Tennessee Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer
Opening Statement:
"I appreciate Dr. Davenport very much. The University of Tennessee is a fantastic institution with an exceptional academic and athletic history. Our graduates are changing the world for the better, all over the globe and right here in our own community.
"All of our sports at the university are front doors to the university and to our entire state, and we are proud of them all.
"Our athletic program's history is a bond that connects students and alumni, fans and the Tennesseans who support our great university. The success of our student-athletes in all sports is a source of inspiration, pride and unity that we must have as an athletic department and that fosters energy, an example of success at the highest level.
"Our football program has the history, the facilities, the tradition and the resources to play with anyone, any time, and that is what we're going to do again.
"This is an important time in our athletic history. We all agree on the objective. We all agree on the urgency of achieving our objective. It's time that we all pull together to be part of the solution.
"There is much work to be done, and I am honored to have this opportunity from Dr. Davenport to work with our great alumni, our fan base, our fantastic faculty, our coaches, and certainly our student-athletes and our student body.
"Our first job is turning around our football program. Our football teams in recent years have struggled for a variety of reasons, but through it all we have been supported by the most passionate fan base in the country. These great fans deserve teams that make them proud.
"It will not be easy, and it will take some time, but we will succeed. We first must find us a coach who wants to be at Tennessee, who appreciates the unique opportunity that we have to offer at this very special place at this historical time and who is driven to win at the highest level of college football; the kind of head coach who will honor our University's values, will be proud to represent our state and be a role model for our student-athletes.
"I have seen and been a part of the University of Tennessee's athletics program when it's been at its best. I have seen what honest communication, trust and hard work achieve. It is my mission to lead our entire athletic department in a way that honors our university's legacy and insists on excellence. Turning our situation around will require team work. There's an old saying that says it is amazing what can be accomplished when no one cares who gets the credit. That cooperative spirit will drive my approach.
"We need energy, passion and focus from every Vol fan, alumni, coach and athlete. Let's be so unified and enthusiastic we even win over the naysayers.
"I'm asking all of our fans, our alumni, our student-athletes and coaches: Let's go have some fun winning championships."
Chancellor Dr. Beverly Davenport: On whether John Currie was working on deal with Washington State coach Mike Leach:
"I want to be clear today that we're here to talk about the change in the leadership in the athletics department. I'm not going to talk about coaches at any other schools or at any other places."
Chancellor Dr. Beverly Davenport: On what caused the decision to part ways with John Currie:
"I appreciate that question. As I said in my opening remarks, it's been a tough week for us and it's been a series of events. There's not a single event, I think many of you have reported on it."
Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer: On timetable for coaching search and whether candidates from past might be reopen to consideration with his hiring:
"I haven't established a timetable to this point because this has all happened so fast. I think with the background that I've had here, as well as we've done at different times here, the facilities, the tradition, the leadership that we have here, I definitely think there will be people that will be interested."
Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer: On whether his past experience at Tennessee is what the program needs:
"I hope to be a stabilizing and unifying force through this, just because we do have some grey hair and lots of experience at this place, and sometimes when you're younger, you screwed it up so bad that you figured it out later. You don't make the same mistakes again. I just had a chance to visit with a bunch of wonderful people, the staff here. I'll see the football team in just a little bit. Everybody wants to be champions here. Everybody wants to win. What we need is communication and trust and working together to make it happen, including our wonderful fan base, including as much as we can you guys (the media), that we're all on the same page in going forward, not looking back on the past nine years."
Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer: On if he will reach out to football recruits committed to the 2018 class and if it is important to find a coach with Tennessee roots:
"I've been charged to find the right coach for these circumstances: head coach, assistant coach and coordinators. I wasn't a head coach when I started. More times than not, you like experience to come in, somebody that has been a head coach. We'll see where that goes. As far as recruiting wise, absolutely. It's the backbone of what we do, and we have some really good commitments that we're going to make sure that we can keep until the coach gets here. I think there's guys out there that I think will be interested in Tennessee now that may not have been interested before."
Chancellor Dr. Beverly Davenport: On moving forward with the Neyland Stadium renovation project:
"Absolutely, we plan to proceed with the Neyland Stadium project. We would have never brought forward a project that we didn't feel was needed."
Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer: On the possibility of serving as interim head coach and contacting recruits:
"No. I will not serve as the interim head coach or as the head coach. I have done my duty that way and I enjoyed it very much. Right over there (motions towards his family off to the side), I will be coaching the little league team some. That will be my coaching. I will absolutely be touching base with any prospect that is interested or any prospect that we have committed."
Chancellor Dr. Beverly Davenport: On John Currie being suspended with pay and the University paying the rest of his contract:
"We don't have all the financial details worked out."
Chancellor Dr. Beverly Davenport: On bringing John Currie home yesterday and if she already had the idea of a change in leadership:
"I wanted to talk with John yesterday, but as I said, I don't want to talk about coaches. I don't want to talk about the process. It has been a long and arduous week. I talked with Phillip Fulmer this morning and asked him to step in, and he agreed to do that, and we're going to look forward."
Chancellor Dr. Beverly Davenport: On the transition from looking for an athletic director nine months ago to now:
"I think what Phillip just said is what I felt and what I continue to feel. Experience matters, experience at programs like ours. I'll tell you, in (my) nine months (here), the University of Tennessee is a special place. The SEC is one of the strongest conferences in the country, and what I meant then is what I still mean. We need experience. We need someone who knows this work and who is committed to the University of Tennessee."
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Opening Statement:
"Good afternoon. First, thank all of you all for being here today. It has indeed been a difficult week. It's been a difficult road at times to get to where we are. This hasn't been an easy process for any of us, and I want you to know that I regret deeply any hurt that has been caused.
"I have heard from so many in Vol Nation, and I appreciate what they have to say. They love this university. Since arriving here just nine months ago, I have come to admire and respect more than ever our facility, our students who are incredible, our staff, our supporters, our donors and our alumni and their remarkable commitment to this university. Our supporters have been passionate and vocal, but they have been steadfast in reminding us what makes this university and athletics an exceptional program and it's the people. I don't take that for granted.
"I have come to understand and appreciate the love that so many people have for Tennessee athletics.
"Early yesterday afternoon, I asked John Currie to return to Knoxville before going forward with the search. That request had nothing to do with any specific coach. When there are high expectations about a great place, those high expectations come with challenges and challenges require tough decisions. Today required one of those decisions.
"This morning, I decided to make a change in leadership in our athletics department. It's a decision that I feel was in the best interest of this university. John Currie has been suspended, and Phillip Fulmer has agreed to step in as our athletic director.
"I want you to know John Currie has worked tirelessly in his position, and I respect him for his commitment and contributions to the University of Tennessee.
"This process was not satisfactory.
"Several weeks ago, I asked John Currie to lead a search for our new head football coach. He was given full authority to find the best coach for Tennessee.
"But we are here today to begin a new era and a new opportunity to move the University of Tennessee forward. I asked Phillip today if he would lead our athletic department for the foreseeable future. And I asked him to take the reins of our search for the next head football coach.
"I have had the opportunity to get to know Phillip Fulmer over the past year. He and I talked during the AD search and have remained colleagues during my transition here.
"I greatly appreciate how helpful, supportive and respectful he has been to me since I have been here. I will continue to work with him in his new position as a special assistant to the University of Tennessee System President Joe DiPietro. He understands well the expectations for this athletics department and football program.
"Before we take questions, I want to take this opportunity again to thank Vol Nation for their support and love of this great university. Please know that my goals and our goals are the same. Yes, we want a successful football program. Yes, we believe in this great university and its potential. It's a source of pride for all of us, and I couldn't be more proud to be the chancellor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
"With those, I want to turn it over to Phillip Fulmer. I don't think he needs an introduction, but I want to introduce our newest athletics director: Phillip Fulmer."
University of Tennessee Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer
Opening Statement:
"I appreciate Dr. Davenport very much. The University of Tennessee is a fantastic institution with an exceptional academic and athletic history. Our graduates are changing the world for the better, all over the globe and right here in our own community.
"All of our sports at the university are front doors to the university and to our entire state, and we are proud of them all.
"Our athletic program's history is a bond that connects students and alumni, fans and the Tennesseans who support our great university. The success of our student-athletes in all sports is a source of inspiration, pride and unity that we must have as an athletic department and that fosters energy, an example of success at the highest level.
"Our football program has the history, the facilities, the tradition and the resources to play with anyone, any time, and that is what we're going to do again.
"This is an important time in our athletic history. We all agree on the objective. We all agree on the urgency of achieving our objective. It's time that we all pull together to be part of the solution.
"There is much work to be done, and I am honored to have this opportunity from Dr. Davenport to work with our great alumni, our fan base, our fantastic faculty, our coaches, and certainly our student-athletes and our student body.
"Our first job is turning around our football program. Our football teams in recent years have struggled for a variety of reasons, but through it all we have been supported by the most passionate fan base in the country. These great fans deserve teams that make them proud.
"It will not be easy, and it will take some time, but we will succeed. We first must find us a coach who wants to be at Tennessee, who appreciates the unique opportunity that we have to offer at this very special place at this historical time and who is driven to win at the highest level of college football; the kind of head coach who will honor our University's values, will be proud to represent our state and be a role model for our student-athletes.
"I have seen and been a part of the University of Tennessee's athletics program when it's been at its best. I have seen what honest communication, trust and hard work achieve. It is my mission to lead our entire athletic department in a way that honors our university's legacy and insists on excellence. Turning our situation around will require team work. There's an old saying that says it is amazing what can be accomplished when no one cares who gets the credit. That cooperative spirit will drive my approach.
"We need energy, passion and focus from every Vol fan, alumni, coach and athlete. Let's be so unified and enthusiastic we even win over the naysayers.
"I'm asking all of our fans, our alumni, our student-athletes and coaches: Let's go have some fun winning championships."
Chancellor Dr. Beverly Davenport: On whether John Currie was working on deal with Washington State coach Mike Leach:
"I want to be clear today that we're here to talk about the change in the leadership in the athletics department. I'm not going to talk about coaches at any other schools or at any other places."
Chancellor Dr. Beverly Davenport: On what caused the decision to part ways with John Currie:
"I appreciate that question. As I said in my opening remarks, it's been a tough week for us and it's been a series of events. There's not a single event, I think many of you have reported on it."
Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer: On timetable for coaching search and whether candidates from past might be reopen to consideration with his hiring:
"I haven't established a timetable to this point because this has all happened so fast. I think with the background that I've had here, as well as we've done at different times here, the facilities, the tradition, the leadership that we have here, I definitely think there will be people that will be interested."
Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer: On whether his past experience at Tennessee is what the program needs:
"I hope to be a stabilizing and unifying force through this, just because we do have some grey hair and lots of experience at this place, and sometimes when you're younger, you screwed it up so bad that you figured it out later. You don't make the same mistakes again. I just had a chance to visit with a bunch of wonderful people, the staff here. I'll see the football team in just a little bit. Everybody wants to be champions here. Everybody wants to win. What we need is communication and trust and working together to make it happen, including our wonderful fan base, including as much as we can you guys (the media), that we're all on the same page in going forward, not looking back on the past nine years."
Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer: On if he will reach out to football recruits committed to the 2018 class and if it is important to find a coach with Tennessee roots:
"I've been charged to find the right coach for these circumstances: head coach, assistant coach and coordinators. I wasn't a head coach when I started. More times than not, you like experience to come in, somebody that has been a head coach. We'll see where that goes. As far as recruiting wise, absolutely. It's the backbone of what we do, and we have some really good commitments that we're going to make sure that we can keep until the coach gets here. I think there's guys out there that I think will be interested in Tennessee now that may not have been interested before."
Chancellor Dr. Beverly Davenport: On moving forward with the Neyland Stadium renovation project:
"Absolutely, we plan to proceed with the Neyland Stadium project. We would have never brought forward a project that we didn't feel was needed."
Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer: On the possibility of serving as interim head coach and contacting recruits:
"No. I will not serve as the interim head coach or as the head coach. I have done my duty that way and I enjoyed it very much. Right over there (motions towards his family off to the side), I will be coaching the little league team some. That will be my coaching. I will absolutely be touching base with any prospect that is interested or any prospect that we have committed."
Chancellor Dr. Beverly Davenport: On John Currie being suspended with pay and the University paying the rest of his contract:
"We don't have all the financial details worked out."
Chancellor Dr. Beverly Davenport: On bringing John Currie home yesterday and if she already had the idea of a change in leadership:
"I wanted to talk with John yesterday, but as I said, I don't want to talk about coaches. I don't want to talk about the process. It has been a long and arduous week. I talked with Phillip Fulmer this morning and asked him to step in, and he agreed to do that, and we're going to look forward."
Chancellor Dr. Beverly Davenport: On the transition from looking for an athletic director nine months ago to now:
"I think what Phillip just said is what I felt and what I continue to feel. Experience matters, experience at programs like ours. I'll tell you, in (my) nine months (here), the University of Tennessee is a special place. The SEC is one of the strongest conferences in the country, and what I meant then is what I still mean. We need experience. We need someone who knows this work and who is committed to the University of Tennessee."
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