UT Athletic Director Mike Hamilton made statements Wednesday regarding Coach Phillip Fulmer's job status in an in-depth interview on GoVolsXtra.com.
In the interview, Hamilton readily discussed a number of sensitive topics, including the logistics of a Fulmer buyout should the coach be fired.
After practice Wednesday, the Sports Overtime team asked Fulmer about the administration's support.
"I have been so pleased," Fulmer said. "Mike [Hamilton] has been very supportive. We meet every so often, scheduled, to talk about different things. Obviously we've got problems we're working through, but he's shown great confidence and looking forward to the future."
Fulmer admitted that not everything was rosy in Big Orange Country.
"There's concern -- I'm not going to sit here and say there's no concern. There's concern by everybody who loves Tennessee athletics about where we are and having the opportunity here to still turn this season around, but I just couldn't be more pleased. And also, with some of the friends we have here at the trustee level, those friends have been really good...contrary to what you might read."
Sophomore safety Eric Berry has been one of the team's bright spots. His 54-yard interception return set up one of Tennessee's two scores in Saturday's 26-14 loss to Georgia. The Sports Overtime team asked him how the team was responding to speculation about Fulmer's job status.
"We really don't, plain and simple," Berry said. " We focus on what's going on inside this family inside these four walls, and we really don't think about anything outside of it."
"This is what makes you tough -- these times right here."
Linebacker Rico McCoy echoed Berry's sentiments. Before reporters even had a chance to ask him a question, McCoy sent a message to Vols fans:
"My teammates are keeping it tight. We're still a family," McCoy said. "We had fun today [at practice]. We're still a motivated football team, I'm gonna tell you that right now.
"You don't have to worry about the Vols, don't question us. Don't question the defense, don't question the offense. Everybody out here was motivated today, very energetic. It hasn't been like this in awhile. You can feel the vibes out here -- everybody wants to get better.
"Everybody's been executing well in practice. We're gonna see if it pays off this weekend. Stay tuned to this game and see if we improve."
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