NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 22: Head coach Phillip Fulmer of the Tennessee Volunteers gives a thumbs up after winning the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium on November 22, 2008 in Nashville, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Phillip Fulmer’s reported role in potential Tennessee coaching search revealed

What will the legendary coach's role be?

Former Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer is expected to play a major role in the Vols' potential coaching search, according to WNML's Jimmy Hyams told "The Opening Drive" on WJOX on Monday.

"What's his role going to be? He's going to be an advisor to John Currie in this regard," Hyams said. "I would think that given his experience and so forth that you'd want to lean on him for that advice," Hyams said. "Based on what he's said publicly, my guess is that John Currie may be trying to wait until the last minute to make that announcement public about what he's going to do. Then, I expect Phillip Fulmer to be heavily involved in the coaching search. He's got a lot of credibility around the country as far as coaching, and I certainly think he'd be involved in that search."

Fulmer, who was a candidate for the athletic director vacancy this offseason, resigned as Tennessee's coach in 2008 and had since worked as a special assistant to the athletic director at East Tennessee State University. He rejoined UT officially in June as a special advisor to the university president.

The College Football Hall of Famer went 152-52 (96-34 SEC) during 17 seasons as Tennessee's head coach, which included a BCS national championship in 1998, two SEC titles and five SEC East titles.

Tennessee has yet to fire current head coach Butch Jones, who reportedly decided not to resign after meeting with Currie on Sunday night.