Tennessee’s Phillip Fulmer, the nation’s third-winningest active coach among those with 10 years of experience, has been forced out as football coach after 17 years that included a national championship. Fulmer, 58, his voice cracking and pausing to keep his composure, announced Monday at a news conference that he will step aside at the end of the season. He said he was “accepting the university’s decision.” Fulmer had a 150-51 record with the Vols, including the national championship in 1998. But Tennessee fell on hard times this season and was just 3-6, including 1-5 in the Southeastern Conference after a 27-6 loss at South Carolina on Saturday. As Fulmer put it, “Many fans have been supportive, some have been very angry. All of us are disappointed.” His teams won two conference titles and seven divisional crowns. Fulmer said he’s uncertain about his future.