Fat Phil Comes to Alabama

Tennessee Coach Phillip Fulmer actually decided to show up for SEC Media Days this year. From the Huntsville Times:

A mob of television cameramen tracked Fulmer on his much-anticipated return to Southeastern Conference Media Days in the state where he has been vilified for his role in the NCAA investigation that resulted in severe sanctions against Alabama's football program. A year ago, with lawyer Tommy Gallion possibly waiting to serve him with a subpoena, Fulmer was a no-show and was fined $10,000...

"There has been a lot of intense media coverage, especially here in Alabama, theatrics that were worthy of Oscars, legal battles that went on, even some threats of harm to some of the people involved and their families, including mine," Fulmer said. "I do not take that lightly and I'm not quite over that yet as far as being angry about that."

Fulmer was a witness in the NCAA case that accused Alabama booster Logan Young of paying off high school coaches in Memphis to secure defensive lineman Albert Means for Alabama. Young was convicted of racketeering and sentenced to six months in jail and six months house arrest. The case is being appealed.

Alabama was placed on five years probation, barred from postseason play for two seasons and lost 23 scholarships...

Fulmer appeared ready to bury the hatchet with "true Alabama fans."

Fulmer said he was not apprehensive about returning to Media Days and would not be apprehensive about the Vols' visit to Bryant-Denny Stadium in October.

"I'd like to get back to where we have a great, clean, hard-fought rivalry that has none of this stench in it," Fulmer said. "Whether we can get there I don't know, but I have no hard feelings for anybody that is a true Alabama fan."

Bet there are plenty of true Bama fans who have lingering hard feelings for him.