Unbelievably, former Tennessee head coach Jeff Fisher has announced his return to the team
After nine coaches and coach Jeremy Pruitt were fired on Monday for cause following an internal investigation that turned up what the university chancellor described as “serious violations of NCAA rules,” the Tennessee football program is once again starting over.
Donde Plowman, the chancellor, stated Pruitt was in charge of managing the initiative. Following a tip on Nov. 13 regarding suspected recruiting violations, Tennessee has been conducting an internal investigation.
Seven employees from the support and recruitment departments, as well as two assistants, were let go.
“The information that has been provided to us suggests serious violations of NCAA rules, even though the investigation is still ongoing,” Plowman stated. “They took place. These grave violations call for a quick response.
Coaches of the inside and outside linebackers, Brian Niedermeyer and Shelton Felton, four members of the on-campus football recruiting staff, the director and assistant director of football player personnel, and a quality control coach for football were among those let go on Monday.
The Volunteers’ previous record was 3–7. Tennessee will be searching for its fifth different coach following Pruitt’s dismissal, as the Vols last captured the Southeastern Conference’s Eastern Division championship in 2007.
On November 19, Kansas attorneys Bond, Shoeneck, & King were hired to support the investigation. On Friday, they provided Plowman, President Randy Boyd, and athletic director Phillip Fulmer with an update on the investigation.
According to the chancellor, there were several individuals and incidents involved in Level I and II violations that may have raised NCAA red flags. Plowman said she was unaware of the precise number of infractions or other details. Investigators from the NCAA began work on the case in December, and during the last ten days, they have been more involved.
The sheer number of participants and incidents was astounding, according to Plowman. Indeed, that was startling. You can see some of that from the caliber of the acts performed today.
This implies that despite Pruitt’s three-season 16-19 record, Tennessee will not be providing him with a $12.6 million buyout.
“There was no buyout; his termination was for cause,” Plowman stated.
Pruitt was “extremely disappointed,” according to a statement released Monday night by Dallas attorney Michael Lyons of Lyons & Simmons. Lyons claimed that, as part of “an orchestrated effort to renege” on Pruitt’s contract, his termination letter was leaked right away before Pruitt had a chance to react.
“Rather than being a just and thorough factual decision, the university’s timing of its actions and decisions seems predetermined and more about financial convenience and expediency. Furthermore, it appears evident from the recent press leaks that there is a desire to slant the story in the university’s favor in order to support a decision that was probably made weeks ago,” Lyons stated in the statement.
“Coach Pruitt and I are eager to refute any accusations that he has committed any wrongdoing within the NCAA and to investigate the university’s attempt to discredit and ruin coach Pruitt’s reputation in order to evade having to pay his contractually required liquidated damages.”
In 2020, the Vols participated in an SEC-only season and lost every game by double digits. Despite being selected to participate in the Liberty Bowl, Tennessee withdrew a day later due to a number of positive COVID-19 results, one of which included Pruitt.
The 70-year-old Fulmer plans to retire, and Tennessee has hired Parker Executive Search to assist in the search for a new athletic director. The athletic director will then appoint the new coach, according to Plowman.
“We are seeking an individual with strong leadership qualities, adherence to principles and values, coaching and and hiring experience, and the ability to think ahead,” stated Plowman. We have a bright future ahead of us. Even though we’re disappointed, we’re committed to making things right.
Boyd made it very apparent that a person doesn’t belong at Tennessee if they can’t win “the right way.”
Boyd stated, “You’re hearing that message now if there is anyone in our athletic department in Knoxville or elsewhere who hasn’t heard it yet.”
Fulmer stated that he had always planned to leave athletics, and that the timing now allows him to collaborate with a new athletic director and coach. Fulmer added that he believes the program has improved from being “quite a mess” to having “lots of good things” occur.
