By Robby Stanley
Jan 18, 2021 3:30 PM
NASHVILLE If there is one thing that has become clear in the past decade with Tennessee football, it’s that it has more twists and turns than a daytime soap opera.
The latest twist came Monday morning when it was reported that Jeremy Pruitt had been fired with cause by the University of Tennessee and that Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer would be “retiring” at when his replacement was found.
Pruitt’s firing is not a surprise. There has been an investigation around the football program since mid-November and signs were pointing to Pruitt’s future at Tennessee being very much in jeopardy. The fact that Tennessee was able to fire him with cause and avoid paying his buyout of $12.6 million leads you to believe that whatever the “Level 1” and “Level 2” violations that have been found here are very substantial. It will be interesting to see whether or not Pruitt’s legal representatives seek payment.
Tennessee Fans Are Furious With Phil Fulmer’s Statement Tonight
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 7: A Tennessee Volunteer holds up his helmet in the team huddle before the NCAA football game against the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders at Neyland Stadium on September 7, 2002 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won 26-3. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Tennessee Director of Athletics Phil Fulmer may have just indicated the head coaching future of the Volunteers heading into next season.
After finishing the year with a disappointing 3-7 record, most of Tennessee nation feels it’s time the program moved on from head coach Jeremy Pruitt. Aside from a solid 8-5 season and Gator Bowl victory in 2019, Pruitt’s three-year tenure has been marred with losing records. A 16-19 overall record simply doesn’t cut it for a high-profile SEC program like UT.