Tennessee’s performance against No. 2 Alabama on Saturday was yet another deflating loss for Vol fans to add to the lengthy resume.
In fact, it was the third-straight deflating loss on the heals of an eight-game winning-streak dating back to last season. It began with a second half collapse in Athens, followed by a pathetic showing against Kentucky that resulted in the Wildcats’ first win in Knoxville since 1984. The loss to the Crimson Tide then put the cherry on top.
It wasn’t that Tennessee lost to Georgia and Alabama, either, but rather the margin of defeat that was so deflating. As disappointed as the fans may be, nobody is more disappointed in the results than the program its self according to Vols head coach Jeremy Pruitt.
“Hey, nobody is more disappointed than the people within our program,” Pruitt said following the loss to Alabama. “I can assure you.
“It is the reason that I wanted this job. I understood the passion, the energy, the expectations of Tennessee football. When I took the job, I knew exactly where it was at — exactly. Which is why I wanted the job. I wanted this job because I wanted to get it to where it is supposed to be. It is a hell of a challenge, alright? I’m glad I took the job.”
Despite the loss, Pruitt is still encouraged where the Vols are at under his leadership. And he still believes Tennessee is going to get to where it wants to be — it’s just going to take some time.
“I am excited about being here, Pruitt said. “I am not discouraged. The people in our program are not discouraged. I know where our program is headed. We will get there.”
Tennessee will look to snap its three-game losing streak following an open date to end the month of October. The Vols will be back in action on Nov. 7 when it takes on Arkansas in Fayetteville. Kickoff with the Hogs is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
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Pruitt: Message to Vols Fans “All is fine here”
Vols Fans: Return to sender!
Tennessee needed a proven head coach that had demonstrated the ability to turn floundering, mediocre programs into a winning one. So what did it do? Hired a defensive coordinator with no previous head coaching experience, who brought with him an SEC fraternity coaching staff that everyone else in the SEC is extremely familiar with. This is the fourth hire in a row where Tennessee has essentially brought in the same guy, someone with little to no head-coaching experience, with no record of program turnaround or sustained success of any kind. The Vols needed a ‘Rick Barnes’ of college football. This is not a resource problem at Tennessee, as I think we have the No. 3 revenue-producing program in the nation…or somewhere around there. This is a decision-making problem.