Phillip Fulmer Reflects on 1998 Title Run: ‘It Still Feels Like Yesterday

KNOXVILLE, TN — More than two decades after leading the Tennessee Volunteers to their last national championship, former head coach Phillip Fulmer still remembers every detail of that historic 1998 season. “It still feels like yesterday,” Fulmer said in a recent interview, his voice full of pride and nostalgia. “That team had something special—heart, grit, and a belief that we could do something nobody else thought we could.”

The 1998 Vols were coming off a major transition, having just lost star quarterback Peyton Manning to the NFL. Questions swirled around whether Tennessee could stay competitive in the SEC, let alone compete for a national title. But Fulmer and his staff had other plans. Led by junior quarterback Tee Martin, a dominant defense, and explosive playmakers like Peerless Price and Al Wilson, Tennessee rolled to a 13-0 record and a BCS National Championship victory over Florida State in the Fiesta Bowl.

“That was one of the most complete teams I ever coached,” Fulmer said. “We had leadership on both sides of the ball, guys who were tough and unselfish. And the fans… man, they carried us all the way. Neyland was electric every Saturday.”

Fulmer, who later served as Tennessee’s athletic director, has always credited that title run to the culture of the program. “It wasn’t about one player,” he said. “It was about the ‘Power T’ and the brotherhood in that locker room. We weren’t trying to prove anyone wrong—we were trying to prove ourselves right.”

Now enjoying retirement, Fulmer remains closely tied to the program and is a regular presence at home games. When asked if he ever imagined how iconic that 1998 team would become, he smiled. “We knew we were good,” he said, “but I don’t think we knew we were going to become part of Tennessee legend.”