Fans, media react to Tennessee reportedly cutting ties with Jeremy Pruitt
Tennessee has reportedly cut ties with coach Jeremy Pruitt after three seasons, according to a report from Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports.
Pruitt’s job security was in jeopardy in recent months after the Vols finished the 2020 season with a 3-7 record. The Vols were expected to play in the Liberty Bowl, but canceled that trip after rising COVID-19 cases and protocols within the program.
Pruitt overall at Tennessee had a 16-19 overall record leading the Tennessee program.
His first season on the job in Knoxville, the Vols went 5-7 and missed on a bowl game. Tennessee rebounded to go 8-5 in his second season before last season’s disastrous 3-7 campaign playing an All-SEC schedule.
Last month, it was reported that Tennessee hired outside counsel to assist in a compliance investigation into the football program.
Here is a sampling of the fan and media reaction to the news:
Jeremy Pruitt signed an extension with Tennessee less than four months ago. https://t.co/VKFPN21rHQ
— Jason B. Hirschhorn (@by_JBH) January 18, 2021
Jeeez. Jeremy Pruitt didn’t even get a full class through Tennessee. Brutal.
Should’ve hired Schiano.
— Ryan Frederick (@RyanFred1415) January 18, 2021
Is Jeremy Pruitt being fired an indication that Tennessee finally plans to compete in ‘big boy football’? There’s a first time for everything!
— Scott Morefield (@SKMorefield) January 18, 2021
Tennessee firing Jeremy Pruitt was a wrong move IMO. One bad 2020 year in a terrible year for almost everyone shouldn’t be the nail in the coffin for Pruitt.
I talked about it some here too: https://t.co/QbhnBJFYoa
— Alex Joyce (@AlexJoyce1) January 18, 2021
Been trending this way for weeks. Jeremy Pruitt has told those around him this year if he gets fired, he’ll just go back to Alabama and work for Saban again. https://t.co/oPqRRRc4gn
— John Talty (@JTalty) January 18, 2021
Tennessee firing Jeremy Pruitt according to Pete Thamel
Yet another coach who was promised as the savior of the program who is soon thereafter fired
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) January 18, 2021
Nobody can honestly look me in the eye and say that Tennessee doesn’t have a vastly better roster today, than it did in November.
Jeremy Pruitt built this team, he should be allowed to see it through..
TN is 2 or 3 key players away from being a legit contender for the East pic.twitter.com/XCvRBU3Cfh
— matt daniel (@VolsPix) January 17, 2021
The Tennessee job is open?! Well I’m shocked!
People told me Jeremy Pruitt was so much better than Greg Schiano pic.twitter.com/5WqtpQcfCZ
— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) January 18, 2021
Jeremy Pruitt right now…. pic.twitter.com/gZ2v5cocib
— NASCAR Jake (@TheGIJake) January 18, 2021
Year 1 of Greg Schiano at Rutgers
Year 3 of Jeremy Pruitt at Tennessee pic.twitter.com/qTPwcojtwp
— Garrett Stepien (@GarrettStepien) January 18, 2021
Jeremy Pruitt pic.twitter.com/8jrfocP5PI
— Hunter Johnson (@HunterLJohnson) January 18, 2021