Former Tennessee football coach and athletics director Phillip Fulmer has been hospitalized in Knoxville after undergoing an unspecified medical procedure, his family announced Thursday.

Fulmer, who turns 73 on Sept. 1, will remain at UT Medical Center for “a few days,” according to the statement, which was released through the Tennessee athletic department. He retired in 2021 following more than five decades associated with the Volunteers as a player, coach or administrator.

Here’s the full statement:

“Phillip underwent a medical procedure Thursday at UT Medical Center. He is alert and in good spirits and will remain at the hospital for a few days. We are thankful for the outstanding care he’s receiving, and we also appreciate the prayers and concern of so many who have reached out. He is looking forward to cheering on the Vols as they kick off another exciting season!”

Fulmer played offensive guard at Tennessee from 1968-71, then was a student coach for two years before returning as a full-time assistant in 1980 following stints at Wichita State and Vanderbilt. He was the Volunteers offensive line coach under Johnny Majors for nine seasons, adding the title of offensive coordinator from 1989-92 before taking over as head coach following Majors’ resignation (he also served four games as interim head coach in 1992 while Majors was dealing with heart problems).

Fulmer ascended to head coach in controversial fashion in 1993, with some — including Majors — insinuating he helped force Majors out. Nevertheless, he had a highly successful 17-year tenure with the Volunteers, including 152 victories, two SEC titles and the 1998 BCS national championship.

Fulmer resigned under pressure as Tennessee’s coach after a losing 2008 season, and worked for a time as a college football television analyst and as a consultant for the East Tennessee State athletic department. He returned to Tennessee as a special advisor to the president in 2017, and was named athletics director later that year after John Currie was fired following a botched football coaching search.

Fulmer eventually hired former Alabama player and assistant coach Jeremy Pruitt, who was fired amid widespread NCAA violations in January 2021. Fulmer retired around the same time, but was not implicated in any of the rule-breaking.