KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - Tennessee offensive line coach Mike Barry resigned Friday, saying he wanted to pursue other opportunities ``in or out of coaching.'' <br>
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Barry, 56, is a 34-year veteran who came to the Volunteers five years ago from Southern Cal. He was part of Phillip Fulmer's staff during Tennessee's national title season in 1998, earning honors that year as the Southeastern Conference's best offensive line coach. <br>
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But the Vols line play suffered in 2002, in part because of injuries, and the team finished 8-5, the worst record in Fulmer's 11 seasons as head coach. He is the first departure from Fulmer's staff since the Vols' stunning 30-3 loss to Maryland in the Peach Bowl on New Year's Eve. <br>
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``I enjoyed working with coach Fulmer, his staff and especially the players. It is truly a great place,'' Barry said. ``I simply feel at this time there are other opportunities to pursue in or out of coaching.'' <br>
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``Mike did a good job for us and I wish him well in his pursuits,'' Fulmer said. <br>
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A Chicago native, Barry also was an assistant coach on Colorado's 1990 national championship team, with other stints at Southern Illinois, Arizona and Iowa State.
