After posting a bounce back 8-5 season in 2019, Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt is heading into 2020 with some well-earned job security. Pruitt was rewarded handsomely on Thursday with a two-year extension and an annual raise of $400,000.

Pruitt will earn $4.2 million annually and has elected to decline the $400,000 raise for Tennessee to better distribute the athletic department salaries amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Low.

Shortly after the announcement, Tennessee tweeted a hype video to celebrate the occasion.

When Pruitt proclaimed in the video that “this decade is going to be the decade of the Vols”, you can be certain fans all across Tennessee instantaneously felt goosebumps.

Pruitt is ecstatic for the opportunity to restore Tennessee to its tradition of excellence.

“My family and I are grateful for the unwavering commitment the University of Tennessee has made to us,” Pruitt said in a statement posted on social media. “We have worked hard to build our program the right way in a short amount of time, and there is still much work to be done.”

Tennessee athletic director Phillip Fulmer was effusive in his praise of Pruitt.

“I’m excited that this extension gives Jeremy the runway to continue to build on the momentum and energy we have around our football program coming out of last season,” Fulmer said in a statement obtained by ESPN. “He has made excellent progress entering just his third year and clearly realizes there is much work still to be done. This extension secures him to continue his efforts to return our program to a championship level and shows our commitment to him, his staff, this team and the future of the Tennessee Volunteers.”

Tennessee finished 5-7 in Pruitt’s first season. Last season, Tennessee lost games to Georgia State and BYU before getting on track with six straight victories.

ESPN analyst David Pollack envisions a strong season for Tennessee if fifth-year senior quarterback Jarrett Guarantano plays to his potential.

No. 16 Tennessee begins the season on Saturday at South Carolina (4:30 p.m. EST/SEC Network) and their home opener is slated for Oct. 3 vs. Missouri (9 a.m. EST/SEC Network).