No new contract for Vols’ Fulmer

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. | Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer, who acknowledged in a letter to fans Tuesday that the 2005 season was “unacceptable," will not receive a raise or contract extension this year.

Athletic Director Mike Hamilton said Fulmer has not yet had his formal yearly review, but they will not change his contract after the Volunteers finished the season 5-6, the first losing record and lack of a bowl bid since 1988.

Fulmer’s contract was increased last year to $2.05 million annually and extended by one year to 2011.

“I’m confident in Phillip," Hamilton told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “I think you base pay increases on substantially successful years. ... I would think Phillip doesn’t expect [a raise]."

Fulmer normally receives a raise and extension each year. He only got a one-year extension after finishing the 2002 season 8-5, his worst record until this year.

Fulmer wrote a 300-word letter to fans that was e-mailed Tuesday to about 38,000 season ticket holders and other fans who signed up to receive periodic newsletters from the athletic department through its Web site.

“I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the great support you give our team. Your passion and pride for our program is what makes us special!" Fulmer wrote.

“This year was a disappointing season for everyone in the Tennessee family. We started this season with great expectations and failed to live up to those expectations. I assure you that no one is happy about our season -- especially me, and I know that our fans deserve better than what we produced this year."

The letter was gleaned from 10 pages of notes from a speech Fulmer gave Monday to the Knoxville Quarterback Club.

“Coach Fulmer was trying to find a way to communicate to fans," athletic department spokeswoman Tiffany Carpenter said Tuesday.

Fulmer wrote that he is taking an audit of the program.

“We grossly underachieved offensively, and special teams were erratic at best. As I’ve said before, the results this year are unacceptable and accountability starts with me," he said. “No stone will be left unturned and no question left unanswered as to what went wrong."

Hamilton said he was pleased with Fulmer’s desire to show he is accountable.

“The more we let people see who Phillip Fulmer is, the better we will be in the long run," he said.

On Monday, Fulmer took one step in what he hopes will turn around the program by introducing David Cutcliffe as the new offensive coordinator to replace Randy Sanders. Cutcliffe was on Tennessee’s staff with Fulmer for 17 years -- offensive coordinator from 1993-98 -- before leaving to be head coach at Mississippi. He was fired at the end of last season.

“I appreciate the support and patience I’ve received from the administration and Tennessee fans everywhere to make the adjustments I need to make to get back to where I believe we should be," Fulmer wrote. “We have had many great moments, games and seasons together and will again. Tennessee football is about pride, and it’s my first priority to restore that pride."

Fulmer also fired two assistants -- receivers coach Pat Washington and offensive line coach Jimmy Ray Stephens. Sanders resigned on Oct. 31.

The money the athletic department saved by not having to give bonuses to the coaches for postseason achievements will help offset the costs of paying the terminated assistants through June, Hamilton said.

Cutcliffe will be paid $300,000 a year, way above Sanders’ salary of $162,813. Defensive coordinator and associate head coach John Chavis, whose unit performed well this season, makes $250,756. Hamilton said Fulmer will recommend whether Chavis will get a raise.

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