Phillip Fulmer had a marvelous career at Tennessee as both a player and coach. He played offensive guard for the Vols from 1968-71, and he was their famed head coach from 1992-2008, winning two SEC Championships (1997-98) and one national championship (1998). Fulmer finished with 152-52 overall record.

Now, Fulmer is a special assistant to ETSU’s athletic director and is helping the university grow.

Times Free Press’ David Paschall had an interview with Fulmer (via ESPN 105.1 The Zone)  ahead of the 2014 season, a season in which many predict the Vols will either get six wins or miss on their fourth straight bowl game. Fulmer, however, is optimistic about the 2014 season, and he thinks six or seven wins can ‘surely’ be obtained.

“Just understanding where we are and where Butch is and the growth that has to come from having youthful offensive and defensive lines — surely we can get to six or seven wins, I hope, and get to a bowl game,” Fulmer told the Times Free Press. “If we don’t, I hope people don’t panic and go off the deep end.”

“We maybe could win eight or nine if things went right.”

The Vols’ brutal schedule this season has been well documented, as it features six preseason ranked opponents and an opponents’ 2013 winning percentage at 65.16 percent.

Here’s a look at Tennessee’s 2014 schedule. Do you see the Vols winning six or seven as Fulmer suggests?

  • Aug. 31: Utah State
  • Sept. 6: Arkansas State
  • Sept. 13: at Oklahoma
  • Sept. 27: at Georgia
  • Oct. 4: Florida
  • Oct. 11: Chattanooga
  • Oct. 18: at Ole Miss
  • Oct. 25: Alabama
  • Nov. 1: at South Carolina
  • Nov. 15: Kentucky
  • Nov. 22: Missouri
  • Nov. 28: at Vanderbilt

Fulmer was also asked about a handful of other interesting topics on the Times Free Press.