Yes, the karma bug has bitten Phillip Fulmer, at least in the eyes of the Crimson Tide faithful anyway.  Today it was announced that Phil Fulmer would step down as the University of Tennessee Head Coach at the end of the season.  In an emotional press conference today, Fulmer reflected on the past 17 years and the impact the University and its fans have had on his life. 

Many in the media speculated that this season would likely be Fulmer's last.  Most of us were probably shocked at the timing of this announcement.  Instead of waiting until the season was over, they announced the decision today with three games left on the Vols' schedule. 

Fulmer has stated that he isn't certain what the future holds.  The Universtiy has offered him a position in some capacity off the field but he has stated he is still interested in coaching at some level. 

For me, as a Crimson Tide fan, this news coming off the cusp of Alabama's clenching of the number 1 ranking in the BCS couldn't be more fitting.  Many of the Tide's fans blame Fulmer for his part in the NCAA investigation that led to Bama's near-death penalty probation.  Today, those Tide fans can get the last laugh.  In what many viewed as an effort to destroy his most hated rival, years later, the plan has backfired.  Now, Alabama is back on the rise to prominence and Tennessee has one of its worst records in recent history.  Currently they are ranked dead last in the SEC East at 1-5 in conference play and 3-6 overall.  Fulmer has often prided himself on running a "clean program," a claim many Tide fans think is false, which is why there is such resentment towards him for his part in the investigation that nearly destroyed one of college football's most distinguished programs.

Most Tide fans have enough sense to realize that what happened to Alabama was a result of poor decision making on the parts of the coaches and staff in place at that time.  Still, the notion that Fulmer, one of the Tide's biggest rivals, helped in that investigation was viewed as a conflict of interest. 

Fulmer leaves after 17 season as the Vols' head coach having won 2 SEC Championships and 1 National Championship.  Below is video from the press conference.