Chris Lowe is reporting that the Vols have hired former Auburn Defensive Coordinator and former VFL, Kevin Steele. This move comes as a surprise as it was reported last week by ESPN that the administration had placed a freeze on all contract negotiations and hirings for the football program while the internal investigation is open.
It is unclear at this time what role Steele will have. Tennessee is in need of a defensive line coach after Pruitt fired Jimmy Brumbaugh after four games into his first season on the staff. Steele has never coached the defensive line before. He has however, coached linebackers in the NFL as well as college. Does Shelton Felton move from linebackers coach to defensive line coach? It would make sense since he played defensive line in college. Does that mean Brian Neidermeyer is out? Quite possibly because his contract is up at the end of the month and his name has been mentioned prominently in the ongoing investigation.
What does this move mean for Pruitt? Is he safe? Is he gone? It is hard to say. I believe that Tennessee wants to keep Pruitt to give him a chance to right the ship after a disasterous 2020 season, something that Tennessee and Mike Hamilton did not allow (now Athletic Director) Phillip Fulmer to do. At this time, I don't think even Tennessee knows if they are going to be able to keep Pruitt. With Steele on the staff, it gives Tennessee a chance at stability in case they have no choice but to let Pruitt go either now or in the near future.
Steele might not be the ideal long-term coach for Tennessee, but in the event that the S.S. Pruitt is sunk by the investigation iceberg, he might be able to keep the program a float long enough for help to arrive.
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