Jeremy Pruitt raised some eyebrows after Tennessee’s spring game.

The new Vols coach called out fans and players for “not showing up.” That came as a bit of surprise considering Tennessee announced that 65,098 fans showed up…for a spring game.

So how did Pruitt’s new boss feel about that? Tennessee athletic director Phillip Fulmer wasn’t opposed to that honesty at all.

“I liked his approach on not having the big (fan) day, because he’s trying to practice a game day,” Fulmer said via 247sports. “That, to him, is important. It’s a game day for the kids to practice the West Virginia game, and East Tennessee State and all the way through, so he’s looking at it from that standpoint.”

Fulmer has been known to be a bit more open with the media. Pruitt has had limited access, including no player availability after the spring game.

Needless to say, Pruitt’s approach to press conferences is different than his predecessor. That isn’t something Fulmer sees as a problem.

“He does a good job with the media,” Fulmer said via 247sports. “It’s not like, you know, [he struggles there]. He’s got a couple things on his plate, so I just told him, ‘Do what you can, but make sure the priorities are with the football team.’”