Tennessee names Phillip Fulmer athletic director

In the latest chapter of the drama at Tennessee, former Volunteers coach and Hall of Famer Phillip Fulmer was named the school's permanent athletic director Friday.

The move comes hours after the school dismissed John Currie from the role amid the Volunteers' disastrous coaching search. Tennessee initially introduced Fulmer as its acting athletic director, but later said he's been appointed to the role on a permanent basis.

"Phillip Fulmer will begin serving as athletic director effective immediately," Tennessee chancellor Beverly Davenport said in a statement, according to Ralph Russo of the Associated Press. "I am confident that Phillip understands the need to support our student-athletes and our commitment to excellent in all athletic programs."

Tennessee has failed to secure a candidate to replace Butch Jones despite overtures to a number of other FBS coaches. A source told Bruce Feldman of Sports Illustrated that Fulmer's attempted to undermine Currie throughout the coaching search in hopes of being named the athletic director.

Fulmer is a legend in the Knoxville area, having led the Volunteers to a 152-52 mark over his tenure with the program, including the BCS championship for the 1998 season. He was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012.