Through the first three games of the Jeremy Pruitt era on Rocky Top, the Tennessee offense has been inconsistent, at best.

While starting quarterback Jarrett Guarantano has excelled, a few running backs have emerged, the receivers look much improved from a season ago, and a Volunteer tight end has finally emerged in Knoxville, the unit will only go so far as the offensive line can hold up. That reality was hit home in the opener against West Virginia when the first play of the game was completely blown up by an error up front from Tennessee’s line.

Pruitt hired his longtime friend, former Colorado State offensive coordinator Will Friend, to coach the offensive line in Knoxville but he also has another member of the university eager to lend a helping hand if necessary — that being Athletic Director Phillip Fulmer. During his Monday afternoon press conference, Pruitt was asked if Fulmer has been asked to help coach up the offensive line, as rumors in Knoxville have suggested as much.

“Well, it’s kinda like when I get ready to go somewhere. My granddaddy used to be a truck driver, so he always knows the best routes,” Pruitt responded to the question. “So I think I’d be foolish if I didn’t talk to Coach Fulmer about anything in the football program — not just O-line — but anything. I’m asking him questions all the time.”

When asked a more specific followup — does Fulmer meet with the offensive line to coach them up? — Pruitt admitted his AD does meet with Tennessee’s players but would not give specifics on what those meetings involve.

“Yeah, he’s met with our players several times,” Pruitt continued. “I think if you look at every sports program at Tennessee right now, he’s probably met with all of them. He’s fired up about being here and the direction we are headed.”

Stop if you’ve heard this one before, but Tennessee’s offensive line could use all the coaching it can get these days in Knoxville. It’s been some time since the Volunteers received steady and consistent play from its offensive line and the current results may be more a product of the players the coaches have to work with at the moment, more so than a lack of coaching.

That being said, Tennessee is working hard to correct the errors up front, even if that means Fulmer hitting the practice field and passing on the information he knows best to the Volunteers — offensive line play.