Tennessee’s search for a head coach has lasted three and a half weeks now. It was rebooted this weekend after Phillip Fulmer was made UT’s athletics director on Friday once John Currie was suspended, but the search as a whole has taken almost countless twists and turns since Butch Jones was fired on November 12th.
But if reports are true, the search may finally be winding down. And there’s finally a favorite that’s emerged.
According to Chris Low of ESPN, Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt will have his second interview with Fulmer today. Both Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele and Georgia defensive coordinator Mel Tucker had their second interviews with Fulmer yesterday.
Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele and Georgia defensive coordinator Mel Tucker had their 2nd interviews with Tennessee AD Phillip Fulmer on Tuesday. Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt is scheduled to have his 2nd interview on Wednesday with Fulmer.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) December 6, 2017
So why is Pruitt getting the last interview? Well, because according to multiple reports, chiefly from FOX Sports’ Bruce Feldman, Pruitt has emerged as a leader for Tennessee’s head coaching vacancy.
Hearing that #Alabama DC Jeremy Pruitt has emerged as a strong candidate for the #Tennessee head coaching vacancy.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 6, 2017
The aforementioned Low was interviewed on The Swain Event, a morning sports radio show in Knoxville hosted by Jayson Swain and members of The Orange & White Report, on Wednesday morning, and he stated that he believes a decision will be made tonight regarding the Vols’ search.
“I think by tonight … Tennessee will have a football coach.”
– @ClowESPN https://t.co/21DF7vXgod
— Orange & White Report (@OandWReport) December 6, 2017
Low also said that Fulmer reached out to Gary Patterson of TCU, Justin Fuente of Virginia Tech, and Chad Morris of SMU about the job with Tennessee, but Patterson and Fuente weren’t interested.
According to @ClowESPN, Fulmer talked to Gary Patterson, Justin Fuente, and Chad Morris about the UT job. Patterson and Fuente just weren’t interested. https://t.co/21DF7vXgod
— Orange & White Report (@OandWReport) December 6, 2017
Patience has been running thin for Vol fans, but it finally appears as though a decision will be coming soon regarding Tennessee’s next head football coach. We will have that information as soon as it is announced.
