Report: Jeremy Pruitt fired Tennessee assistant during Kentucky game
College football fans everywhere were taken by surprise late Sunday night and early Monday morning upon learning that Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt had fired Volunteers defensive line coach Jimmy Brumbaugh. A new report says Brumbaugh was fired Saturday during UT’s loss to Kentucky.
“A source close to the UT program tells KSR that Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt fired assistant coach Jimmy Brumbaugh during the game on Saturday,” Zack Geohagen of Kentucky Sports Radio wrote Wednesday. “Pruitt let Brumbaugh go while the game was still being played, confirming it after it was over.”
Many fans were puzzled why Pruitt fired a defensive assistant when the Volunteers’ offense was to blame for multiple Wildcats scores. Brumbaugh replaced former Tennessee assistant Tracy Rocker who is now on the South Carolina staff. It was reported that Brumbaugh could be receiving more than $830,000 from UT in buyout payments.
Brumbaugh was a Kentucky defensive assistant from 2013-16. Pruitt, who has multiple seasons of experience as a defensive coordinator, is now coaching the Tennessee defensive line himself.
Vols defensive linemen will play their first post-Brumbaugh game on Saturday against No. 2 Alabama. The game is set for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff as the “SEC on CBS” showcase game of the week.
Interesting…. Did the DL coach have a soft spot for UK during the game since he came from there? Was it espionage? Horrible coaching? Not caring? Who knows, but I have a feeling this strange firing will be duly noted by Vol nation and attached to Pruitt during his tenure.
Jeremy Pruitt came to Tennessee from Alabama.
While the Vols are getting blown out, maybe they should fire him too.
You GA trolls really are the worst
No,UT football is the worst. Quite literally.
Tennessee Football is definitely better than all of the GA trolls, but that’s a very low bar.
That’s not true ,the UGA trolls are really good like 3/4’s of the time . By it’s that last quarter where the are always the worst
Braves1471, you have absolutely no room to call anyone a troll. You were talking ridiculous trash when UT was 2-0.
bjjonessc, are they though? I enjoy a good troll now and again. Most of the trolls I see on here are just lazy…not unlike Tennessee football, heyoh!
@ Investi-gator , he’s making a pretty clever joke about how GA has repeatedly failed to close out games in the 4th quarter against Alablama despite going into the 2nd half with the lead
Ah, I gotchu now, that makes sense. I guess I saw it more of a 3rd & 4th quarter issue for them not just the 4th lol (ya know, getting beat 21-0 in the 2nd half). But hey, I’m all for making fun of jawja any chance we get lol
Truth hurts. Or so they say. Tell us, does it?
By that logic, has UGA fired Kirby & Cochran yet?
Class of 98 huh. How’s that national championship working out for ya. Oh that’s right that’s the year UT won it never mind. All that talent and still can’t win a conference championship. In the end no matter how good UGA is or how many times they beat Tennessee fact is they stil are behind Tennessee in national championship and SEC Championship. And it only took 20 years for UGA to take a lead in the series. Smart has had 2 #1’s and 2 #2 recruiting classes in last 4 year but still hasn’t won the conference with all that talent. Smart is no better than the coach y’all got rid of for
Wait…UGA hasn’t won a conference championship under Kirby Smart in the last 4 years? You sure about that @usmcvol?
And are we going to pretend 1998 was yesterday? Yeah, I get it…UGA is in a long drought. But I enlisted in 1998. I’ve been retired for 2 years now so it isn’t like the Vols are doing so hot there.
Might want to do a little research on SEC titles.
Also funny that UT claims the 67 title from Litkenhous but UGA doesn’t claim the 68 Litkenhous title. I guess UGA should claim their ’20 Berryman and ’27 Berryman titles and be like UT.
This dumb idiot voltard doesn’t even know UGA won the conference 3 years ago. I guess he started watching football in 2018. What are you 3 years old?
yet UGA has the exact number of championships as Uturd!!
Midnight Rider…I’ve been saying the EXACT SAME THING for a few years now! vols have NO RESPONSE to that…EVER! the only thing they’ve ever said about any of their championships is “I guess UGA is dumb enough NOT to claim them” hahahaha I say we petition the AD and get this ball rolling! UGA can claim SUX natty’s if they did it like UT and BAMMER!
SIX
When Tennessee won the National Championship, they did not have to play against a dynasty. In fact, an Arkansas team that was terrible the previous year would have knocked them out except for a fumble when all they had to do was take a knee.
Kirby is from bama and has lost the natty the sec to back up qb’s fire kirby.
he’s not “from Bama” retard
Smart was Born in Montgomery Alabama dumba$$..
And lived there for about a minute. He grew up in Bainbridge. He’s 100% a Georgia boy.
Smart was born in 75 and his parents didn’t move to Georgia till late 1982…
A little longer then a minute don’t you think?
“He’s 100% a Georgia boy.”
Yet he is from Alabama..
So his parents corrected their mistake of living in Alabama. I don’t think there is any doubt where he calls home now.
He is all in on Georgia and that’s great… Still doesn’t change where he is from..
I like that ,, Kirby came from Alabama coaching staff,,, 0-3 you tell us
2019!
GEAUX!
Wow, that’s the first assistant I have ever heard of getting fired during a game. Wonder when he done it?
Dude is now sitting at home with momma playing xBox football while his $54,500 mthly pay check is direct deposit in his account up until January 2022.
Not bad work for only on staff for 9 to 10 months even during this crazy 2020 Covid year..well not to include the 30 to 45 says that UT completely shut down for Covid related days during this past summer..then he walks away with also 830,000..hell sign me.!!
It must be terrible to get almost my entire household annual income every month and not have to do anything. I feel bad about getting $2500/month for SSDI, he must really be feeling bad about all of that free money.
Not likely. But I bet it all gets spent quickly instead of investing any of it.
I failed miserably at trying to be sarcastic.
Still entertaining Dragon … keep it up!
Maybe those fat Hawg checks going to Morris is a motivation killer. What was it..12 million in payments? Just how hard you gonna work.
I’m just glad to see that someone on the staff finally explained to CJP that his mask and/or gator neck needed to cover the front and not the back of his head for it to work properly..hell that cost UT a cool 1 million at the end of the year..paid out of all of the SEC vs ACC bowl games in December/January timeframe..that $$ could had brought it coach John Chief Chavis as a part time DC for the rest of this year..apparently we need all the help good money can buy..lol
Meanwhile, Bama fans are looking at a 23rd win against another Saban assistant…
Jeremy Pruitt’s firing of Assistant during Game was in The Least Unprofessional.
I’m not going to claim to know anything about what went on but, unless the man was putting others in danger. During the Game wasn’t the time for it. Makes it seem more personal than Professional.
I can’t believe this was a spur of the moment thing, I have to believe there were things that lead up to this. And Pruitt should have been Professional enough to either see it coming, or Man Upped and waited until after the game.
I’m making these comments because Coaches are like Parents. They are supposed to be setting the example and leading. We can’t ask our young to act right if we aren’t showing them how too.
pilot516 you are right about one thing. You dont know anything about what went on. neither do any of the other commenters on here. You can fire someone whenever you want if you are the boss. I dont know why doing it in the game is unprofessional. Getting fired is getting fired. What difference does it make. It does send a pretty clear message to the team, especially the D line. Man up… what a dumb statement. get a grip man.
no, your response was dumb! “sends a clear message to the team”??? yeah, that your HC is dysfunctional! the D-line was one of their strong suits, it’s just that the UK o-line was better that day! Should have fired Chili Cheese instead of Brumbaugh lol
Did you watch UTs OL vs UGA? It looked like they weren’t even trying the only one trying was To’o To’o
Does it make any sense to fire the defensive line coach when the Tennessee offense and special teams were setting up so many Kentucky scores? The defensive line held up in the first half and really had only one or two bad series.
In Kentucky’s first series, the d-line held them to two rushes and a sack for a total of -3 yards.
In Kentucky’s second series, Kentucky rushed twice for a total of one yard. A defensive back later stripped receiver Josh Ali of the ball and recovered the fumble.
In Kentucky’s third series, they rushed for a total of -1 yards and Terry Wilson was sacked for another loss before punting.
Then Guarantano threw two straight pick sixes. On Tennessee’s next possession, Guarantano threw another interception at Tennessee’s own 37 yard line.
On Kentucky’s next offensive possession they had first and ten at Tennessee’s 19 yard line but were held to a field goal.
On Kentucky’s next offensive possession, they rushed three times for four yards and punted.
Kentucky’s next possession occurred with only 41 seconds before the half so after two plays it was halftime.
On Kentucky’s next offensive possession, they had a long sustained drive of 11 plays and 76 yards and scored a touchdown.
After Tennessee could do nothing, they punted giving Kentucky excellent field position at their own 42 yard line. Kentucky had first and ten at Tennessee’s 16 yard line but were again held to a field goal.
After another miserable offensive possession, Tennessee gave Kentucky the ball back with excellent field position at their own 46 yard line. Kentucky rushed 7 consecutive times for 54 yards and a touchdown. (This was definitely on the defensive line)
On their last offensive series, Kentucky had more success running the ball but gobbled up 7 minutes and ended the game with the ball in their possession.
Good research… thanks for sharing.
yes dieselnova, I was there. they looked OK at times, but your RB’s had no clue how to pick up a blitz (see monty rice)
fuzzyvol if you have to have that explained to you, you just don’t understand. But nice try anyway…
Helopilot516…I must agree with you in that firing a coach during a game is something that in my years of watching SEC football…I have not ever seen or even heard. Sounds like the frustration of getting blown-out by Kentucky…at home even. But as we all know when it’s not going well…someone has to fall on the sword and take the heat off the head coach.
I know football coaches aren’t angels of human beings by any stretch of the imagination, but Jeremy Pruitt has gotta be close to the bottom of the barrel with Hugh Freeze, Bobby Petrino, and Tom Herman looking up at him.
When he was at Georgia, he caused division amongst the coaches as he had a different approach than Richt (the opposite of the type of human being Pruitt is) and the offensive coaches. Not saying the guy doesn’t get results, he’s shown he’s a good defensive coach, good recruiter, and maybe a decent head coach (still tbd – inherited a dumpster fire UT program). All I know is I wouldn’t want that guy around or influencing any child of mine. Firing a guy mid game is brutal and disrespectful. It will be interesting to see what kind of guys will want to surround him if he treats other coaches like that.
Reminds me of when USC lost to Arizona and the AD fired Kiffen ( now 300 pounds, looks like Chris Farley) and wouldn’t let him on the plane home!! Glad UT has so much money that they can pay 12 million a year to former coaches who sucked but are still on payroll. Pruitt will be next to ” retire in comfort .” ps. Fire fat Fulmer. Pss. 63 to 2 Bama this week.
LOTS of schools are still paying crappy former coaches…UT surely isn’t the only one. is UGA still paying Jim Donnan? they were for awhile. he was a CLOWN lol
63-2? we all know UT is not getting a safety
This isn’t as odd as it may sound. Heated disagreements during a game can lead to the head coach not appreciating what he feels might be a lack of loyalty or a threat to his leadership. Most likely, the DL coach disagreed with the decisions on games, stunts, alignments, and blitzes, and he said something to the effect that the plays being called wouldn’t work against the UK play likely to be called. He might have had a better grip on what UK was more likely to do.
If you are old enough to remember the 1993 Houston Oilers, you know how heated coaches on the same team can get when they disagree. DC Buddy Ryan threw a punch at OC Kevin Gilbride. Ryan then made a statement that he’d be a head coach in the NFL within two years, while Gilbride would be selling insurance.
The most elite coaches are not immune to this either. The best of the best, John Wooden, and his top assistant Denny Crum, used to argue like dysfunctional spouses headed to divorce. It even was visible on the bench, especially an NCAA Tournament game in 1971, just before Crum took the Louisville job.
But, Wooden being the true Wizard of Westwood, made a statement that he hired Crum to be exactly what he was–the opposite of a “Yes Man.” Yes men inflate egos, while Devil’s Advocates help the head man win games.
A lot of snowflakes posting on here who know absolutely nothing fo why the man did what he did. Maybe pruitt sahould have waited, called him into his office, gave him some kleenex and a participation trophy to go with that $800K check. Then told the team he decided to pursue other interests or some other nonsense. He got $800K! so there is no need to feel sorry for him.
Nobody is feeling bad for the defensive line coach. They are simply saying Jeremy Pruitt did a scummy thing by firing him in the middle of a game.
Firing a coordinator during a game is a scuzz move.
Tom…Agreed 100% It’s bush-league.
Tennessee Fans are the most entitled fans in the SEC. The program has been a mess since Fulmer was fired. And now they bring Fulmer back as AD. You can’t make this stuff up.
you do realize that it was kind of a mess during Fulmer’s last few years as HC, right? go back and look at his recruiting classes and records those last 3-4 years
Hmmmm…..in 2007 Tennessee won the SEC East, lost the SEC Title game to LSU who won the National Title. One year later (2008) Fulmer was fired.
ok wiseass…he also had 2 losing seasons right before that, and that 2007 team was a train wreck of chaos. I know, I was there! I can’t even tell you the craziness with that team, but i’ll tell you Arian Foster was most of the problems lol
Fulmer did not deserve the job in the first place. He back stabbed Johnny Majors to get it.
The real question remains as to whether Jeremy Pruitt will fire himself if the defensive line has a poor showing against Alabama, who arguably has the best running back in the SEC in Najee Harris.
Bonus points if he fires himself before the game ends.
Interesting, we’ll find out eventually. Agree, no sympathy for guys making that kind of bank.
Something’s wrong with that headline.
Report: Jeremy Pruitt fired during Kentucky game
There. I fixed it.
Did he fire him during the game? Not sure.
Coach, if you didn’t know what you were getting in Brumbaugh, then you failed to do your diligence in the hiring process and you should be terminated For Cause and leave without a dime. Maybe you can thumb a ride with your War Daddy Nick for a ride home to Alabama.
If you DID know what you were getting in Brumbaugh, and just decided to be fire him anyway, then you spent $800,000 of this University’s money on your own petulant whim. Then we’re reducing your salary by the amount of his payout effective immediately. Have a nice day.
Not a good look from any direction.
He probably told Pruit to shut up and put on his mask.
interesting that you think that, and toward everyone else, dumb of them not to guess that something happened that makes this add up. Because clearly Pruitt did
not fire him by reason that the Brumbaugh defense was losing the game by itself.
Not only that but Pruitt strikes me as the opposite of a hot-head over-reaction guy.
There’s a short term coaching tenure history in this assistant’s resume’, I’m highly suspicious that he’s made the same mistakes in more than one program.
Wolfie, Pruitt is the epitome of a hot-head, overreaction kind of guy.
That In-your-face disgust of selfishness, lack of discipline, or poor effort is what makes him unique. I love him. I think he’ll lead UT back to SEC relevance. But, his lack of leadership maturity makes him vulnerable to impetuous decisions like firing this coach during a game. It may have been a good decision. But, it wasn’t the right time or manner in how he did it.
Yeah you know it had to have been something that has been brewing for a while, and more than likely Brumbaugh finally said or did something that was just the final straw.
Has Brumbaugh commented on this?
Are we really going to believe one unverified source who is reported to be “close” to the Tennessee program that this firing happened during the game?
I think some of you guys should be a bit more skeptical for the time being…
YES!!! I’ve waited for this for 6 years and have to yell it out….WE’RE NOT THE WORST! WE’RE NOT THE WORST! I can finally believe it when I say it now, thanks Tennessee! See ya soon! Gus needs to save his own job and fire Morris in the middle of a game before its too late!
Pruitt went Saban on the assistant coach and the assistant, rightfully not having any respect for him, told Pruitt to kiss his a$$. LMAO!!
2019 was the best season ever!!!
When you get hired by Pruitt he expects very specific things. He has showed that he WILL let you go if you dont hold up your end. Terry fair is a beloved vol 4 life. His recruiting was slaw. His ass got showed the door. Brumbaugh supposed to give us the skinny on Kensucky. Welp, we know how that went. Pruitt let his azz go right then and there. Mad props to Pruitts ol’ obewon kenobe, mr potato head lookin azz for not worrying bout the optics.
This is SEC football, not kindergarten.
Please interpret what you just said in English.
Yep…that was a tough read.
Pruitt and Tennessee are in the tall weeds of mediocrity, my friend…Take a deep breath and let the Tennessee mediocrity resonate!!! Pruitt is a frigging moron and I’m glad Kentucky beat the piss out of you people!!!!!
Anybody who watched Pruitt implode during his time at UGA knew this would happen. And, just as a reminder, the “8 game win streak” was the hoax that we all knew it was.
Last four years, 166-47. I guess Kirby is just another former boss that Pruitt can’t beat.
Hey welcome back.. Remember when you gave me $hit over my prediction of a comfortable win over UGA?
I think that was a comfortable win for Bama.. What about you?
Cue the crickets
Dawgs had the lead at halftime. UGA held the lead from the very start of 2nd quarter to 4 minutes left in the 3rd, almost half the game. That wasn’t a comfortable win. More comfortable than the previous two but not comfortable.
Bama was up by two scores in the third on a team that didn’t score a single point in the second half…. That’s a comfortable win…
And to correct you the game was tied at 17 with Under a minute left in the second quarter…
You can tell Pruitt is not very sharp just by listening to him talk. This proves it.
It was just reported and verified Pruitt DID NOT fire brumbaugh during the game. Fake news.
How does that crow taste helopilot, coktscoach, boobiodraw, hopples, smssatuga. Might want to wait until wild a$$ claims are verified by someone other than the opponents homer radio station to sling all the BS you guys did.
Well then, at least Brumbaugh didnt have to walk home.
During the game or right after? If during, do you stay on the sideline or start making calls for a relative to come pick you up.
Pruitt is a frigging moron…What a no class move!! Rot in mediocrity, Pruitt!!