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Tennessee Coach Fulmer Sidesteps Subpoena Issue

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 25, 2008

HOOVER, Ala. - Tennessee football coach Phil Fulmer insisted Thursday morning, shortly after arriving for the SEC preseason football media gathering, that he had "not seen a subpoena."

If claims by a lawyer representing a former Alabama football booster are true, Fulmer simply had not yet taken a look at the paper he had minutes earlier been handed by a process server.

According to Birmingham attorney Brandon Blankenship, who is representing Wendell Smith of Chattanooga, Tenn., Fulmer was served moments after stepping out of an SUV outside the Wynfrey Hotel, where the SEC media days are being held.

The subpoena is to force Fulmer to testify about a lawsuit against the NCAA.

Four years ago in a similar situation, Fulmer refused to attend the event held annually outside Birmingham, instead taking part by telephone from Knoxville. He was fined $10,000 by the league for missing the event.

After taking the podium for his interview session Thursday, Fulmer's second question regarded the subpoena.

"I have not seen that," he said. "I have not seen a subpoena. As I said to all the other groups, this is not the place for that kind of thing.

"There are great fans that have great passion about the Southeastern Conference that are not interested in that kind of BS. And I would have some other choice words if there weren't so many cameras in here."

Attorneys have been seeking Fulmer's sworn statements in a lawsuit filed by Smith, a former Alabama booster, against the NCAA.

Smith is suing the NCAA for defamation, claiming the organization and several members of the infractions committee slandered him in accusing him of violating NCAA rules.

Alabama disassociated Smith as a booster after the sanctioning body accused him of providing money to a high school recruit. Smith denied the allegation and questioned Fulmer's role as a source for the NCAA during its investigation of Alabama.

CAREFUL, TIM: It's no secret among Gators fans that quarterback Tim Tebow finished last season as the team's leading rusher.

Tebow's strength and ability aside, the Heisman Trophy winner's running plays were often out of necessity.

The result was growing concern by season's end that Tebow was beaten half to death.

Gators coach Urban Meyer hopes things change this year, but he isn't going to make promises.

"Win the game is all I can say," Meyer said. "Hopefully, we have a 1,500-yard runner in the backfield and we're good to go.

"But at the end of the day, we have to be on the left-hand side of the column on the scoreboard. I would anticipate we will not run him as much. But it's a long season with probably the No. 1 schedule in America."

JOLLY OL' NICK: Alabama coach Nick Saban, preparing for his second season with the Tide after skipping out on the Miami Dolphins, wasn't sighted snarling or chewing on anyone, so he was asked about his sunny disposition.

"Well, it was a difficult situation for the Sabans," he said. "We love college football, and I think the SEC is a fantastic league. Sometimes you learn about yourself when you go places and do things.

"We took a tremendous amount of criticism for that. But we certainly appreciate the warm embrace that we've had and the support that we've had from the people of the state of Alabama. I think that's gone a long ways in making us feel comfortable."

Mick Elliott

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