Tennessee’s Fulmer will step down

An emotional Phillip Fulmer, with his wife at his side and tearful, angry players surrounding him, announced Monday that he had accepted Tennessee’s decision that this will be his last season as the Volunteers football coach.

Fulmer, 58, is being forced out after 17 years as Tennessee’s coach, a run that included a national championship. He has a 150-51 record with the Volunteers, including the 1998 Bowl Championship Series title -- the school’s first national title since 1951.

“This is not an easy day for me or my family. It is not a day that I sought or accepted easily,” said Fulmer, his voice cracking as he fought back tears standing next to his wife, Vicky.

“Our Tennessee family is united in its goals but divided in the right path to get there. I love Tennessee too much to let her stay divided. That is why I accept the university’s decision that this will be my last season as Tennessee’s football coach.”

The Volunteers fell on hard times this season and are 3-6, including 1-5 in the Southeastern Conference after a 27-6 loss at South Carolina on Saturday.

Fulmer signed a seven-year contract in the summer that was worth $2.4 million this season. He will receive $6 million as a buyout of the contract, payable over a 48-month period.

Defensive end Auston English could miss the next two games for sixth-ranked Oklahoma after spraining his left knee. . . . Tom Amstutz will resign after the season as the coach of Toledo (2-6), which is heading for a third straight losing year.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Hansbrough, Collison named to All-America team

North Carolina forward Tyler Hansbrough is the leading vote-getter on the Associated Press’ preseason All-America team for the third straight season. For the first time, he is a unanimous selection. He was joined on the team by UCLA guard Darren Collison, also a repeat from last year’s preseason team. Completing the first team are Davidson guard Stephen Curry, Notre Dame forward Luke Harangody and Oklahoma forward Blake Griffin.

Senior Josh Shipp scored a game-high 20 points to lead UCLA past Cal Baptist, 86-58, in an exhibition at Pauley Pavilion.

Freshman Jrue Holiday registered 12 points, seven rebounds and game highs of seven assists and six steals in his first action as a Bruin.

Freshman forward DeMar DeRozan scored 21 points and had seven rebounds as USC defeated Azusa Pacific, 85-64, in an exhibition at the Galen Center.

Ohio State sophomore forward Nikola Kecman will sit out the first 12 games of the 2008-09 season in an agreement reached jointly by the NCAA and the university, the school announced. Kecman played for the Vizura team in his native Serbia as it was making the transition from an amateur to a professional team.

ETC.

Nadal won’t play in season-ending tournament

Rafael Nadal pulled out of tennis’ season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai, citing fatigue after a long season and the need to prepare for the Davis Cup final.

As expected, Ruben Amaro Jr. signed a three-year contract to become general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, replacing the retiring Pat Gillick. . . . The AL champion Tampa Bay Rays declined contract options for next season on designated hitter Cliff Floyd and relief pitcher Trever Miller. . . . Mike Cameron’s $10-million option was exercised by the Milwaukee Brewers after he batted .243 with 25 home runs and 70 RBIs last season. . . . A mare carrying a full sibling to Kentucky Derby runner-up Eight Belles was sold for $2.5 million to the racing operation owned by Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, six months to the day since the filly’s fatal breakdown at Churchill Downs.