SEC links for Tuesday, with the big story being the announcement that Phil Fulmer is stepping down at Tennessee, effective the end of the season:
Drew Edwards writes in the Knoxville News-Sentinel that Fulmer did not want the Tennessee house to “stay divided.”
Columnist Mike Strange of the News-Sentinel writes that there is no one waiting in the wings this time to be UT coach.
News-Sentinel columnist John Adams writes that there is a big opportunity at Tennessee, but also big expectations.
In the Tennessean, columnist David Climer writes that following Fulmer will be difficult, not so much because of his record, but because the SEC is much tougher now.
Likewise, Ivan Maisel of espn.com writes that the new Tennessee coach will find some tough challenges.
Ron Higgins of the Memphis Commercial-Appeal writes that the Fulmer exit was years in the making.
Also in the Commercial-Appeal, Geoff Calkins follows the “tough task” line of thinking.
Bryan Mullen of the Tennessean writes that with the decision made, Tennessee now moves on to finding a coach.
The Knoxville News-Sentinel has a speculative list of potential successors.
Joe Biddle of the Tennessean writes that Fulmer’s descent began after he won national title.
Mike Organ writes in the Tennessean that some UT recruits are now wavering on commitments.
Chris Low of espn.com writes that Fulmer is, was and will be Tennessee to the core.
Over at CBS Sportsline, Dennis Dodd writes about the end of the Fulmer Era at UT.
Over at SI.com, Andy Staples writes that the parting happened three years too late.
Here is UT athletic director Mike Hamilton’s letter to Vol fans about the Fulmer departure.
Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel says Fulmer was a dead man walking after loss to Florida.
At Fox Sports, Peter Fiutak writes that Fulmer’s tenure was good, just not good enough.
