Phillip Fulmer won't return as the University of Tennessee's football coach in 2009, completing a 17-year run that included one national title and will likely end with a losing season.

Fulmer will coach the Volunteers, who have fallen to 3-6 after losing four straight games, for the team's remaining three contests, Athletic Director Mike Hamilton said during a televised news conference at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee.

"Our Tennessee family is united in its goals but divided in the right path to get there," said Fulmer, holding back tears. "I love Tennessee too much to let her stay divided. That's why I accept Tennessee's decision that this will be my last year as Tennessee's head football coach."

Hamilton said that the Southeastern Conference school and the 58-year-old coach agreed that it would be best if Fulmer didn't return next season.

"Our discussions leading to coach Fulmer's announcement today did not come without great consternation or thought, but it's in my opinion the best solution given our current circumstances," Hamilton said.

Fulmer said he won't consider his future until after the season, though both he and Hamilton said he's been invited to remain with the program in another capacity.

After winning college football's national title in 1998 with a 13-0 record and a victory over Florida State in the Fiesta Bowl, Tennessee has posted an 83-34 mark.

Buyout Clause

Fulmer's contract includes a $6 million buyout clause, payable over 48 months, ESPN reported.

Other than this season, the only time Fulmer has failed to lead the school to a winning record was in 2005, when the Volunteers went 5-6.

Fulmer, who played offensive guard for the Volunteers and graduated from Tennessee in 1972, took over as coach in 1993. He has been at the school as a player, assistant or head coach for more than 30 years, compiling a 150-51 record as coach.

While the Volunteers won the national title in 1998, they have lost 31 games since the end of the 2001 regular season. They are 1-5 in the SEC this year, having lost to Florida, Auburn, Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina. Tennessee hosts Wyoming on Nov. 8.

"I don't think there's any doubt that given the opportunity, this team and this staff could have turned this trend around," Fulmer said. "But that wasn't the case, and so we are where we are."