Black Monday: Jeremy Pruitt Is Out

Monday afternoon Jeremy Pruitt was officially relieved of his duties as the head football coach of the University of Tennessee.  While many fans wanted Pruitt fired after the team went 3-7 in 2020, it was the NCAA investigation into Level I and Level II recruiting violations that did him in.

Chancellor Donde Plowman made it very clear at the press conference on Monday that Coach Pruitt was fired for cause, which means the University does not have to pay any of his $12.6 million buyout.  Less than four months ago, Pruitt agreed to a contract extension that not only gave him a pay raise, but increased the buyout as well.

Pruitt's contract includes more than 30 fire-for-cause provisions. Among them, he can be fired for cause if he engaged in conduct likely to result in an NCAA finding of a Level I or Level II rules violation, or if someone who reports to Pruitt engaged in conduct that constitutes a Level I or II violation or is likely to result in such a violation and the university determines Pruitt was negligent in his oversight or lacked reasonable preventative compliance measures.

Additionally, he can be fired for cause for a failure to promote and maintain an atmosphere of compliance or a failure to monitor employees who report to him.

While Pruitt was a successful defensive coordinator at Florida State, Georgia and Alabama, Pruitt showed shortcomings as the head coach of a college program.  This was his first head coaching opportunity at any college level.

Pruitt's defense first coaching philosophy showed during his time at Tennessee.  The Vols' offense ranked among the SEC's worst throughout his tenure, as Pruitt and his staff failed to develop a quarterback.

Pruitt went 0-9 against the three teams any Tennessee coach will be measured against: Alabama, Florida and Georgia.  Eight of the losses to those teams came by more than 20 points.  Pruitt came under fire in October from media and fans following a 31-point loss to Alabama when he stated that Tennessee was closing the gap with the Crimson Tide.

Pruitt's downfall started on October 17, when Tennessee lost 34-7 to Kentucky.  During that game, Tennessee had four turnovers, including two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns.  It marked the first time since 1984 that Tennessee had lost to Kentucky at Neyland Stadium.

During his three years on Rocky Top, Jeremy Pruitt compiled a record of 16-19.  Since World War I, there have only been two coaches in Tennessee's history with a worse record:  W.H. Britton (4-5) and Derek Dooley (15-21).

Butch Jones remains the only Tennessee coach to last more than three seasons since Tennessee fired Phillip Fulmer in 2008.  Lane Kiffin bolted for USC after the 2009 season.  Derek Dooley was fired in his third season.  Butch Jones was fired in his fifth season.