At this point, Vol fans just want closure with Tennessee’s head coaching search. And that closure is tantalizingly close, but there’s one more hang up with the Vols and their leading candidate right now.
According to a report from long-time Knoxville reporter Jimmy Hyams, Tennessee has extended an offer to Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt to be their next head football coach. This comes hours after reports emerged saying Pruitt was not only the front runner for the position, but that a deal was in the works and was “moving forward.”
Tennessee has offered the job to Alabama DC Jeremy Pruitt. The parties are discussing details tonight. A potential hang up is whether Pruitt would be allowed to coach Alabama in the college football playoffs
— Jimmy Hyams (@JimmyHyams) December 7, 2017
ESPN’s Chris Low would confirm Hyams’ report just minutes later.
Sources tell ESPN that Tennessee is in the process of trying to finalize a deal with Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt after offering him the job earlier in the day. Vols also interviewed Auburn DC Kevin Steele and Georgia DC Mel Tucker.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) December 7, 2017
Mark Schlabach of ESPN would go on to add that Pruitt will be Tennessee’s next head football coach “barring an unexpected setback” and would be announced on Thursday.
Vols are expected to name Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt as their new coach tomorrow, barring an unexpected setback https://t.co/zvuSfR8Kxm
— Mark Schlabach (@Mark_Schlabach) December 7, 2017
The hangup, as reported by Hyams and stated earlier in the day by Gridiron Now’s John Brice, comes with Pruitt wanting to coach at Alabama while the Tide plays in the College Football Playoff. Kirby Smart was allowed to do so two years ago even after Georgia hired him as their head coach, but that was before the early signing period was in place.
With that new rule now enacted, Tennessee wants their head coach to be focused on the Vols and their recruiting as soon as possible.
Tennessee has reportedly offered the head coaching job to about three or four different coaches at this point during the coaching search. John Currie extended offers to Greg Schiano, Dave Doeren, and Mike Leach during his stint as Tennessee’s AD during this search. And that doesn’t include gauging interest and contacting other coaches like Mike Gundy as well.
Pruitt has been the defensive coordinator for Alabama the past two seasons, and he was the DC for Georgia from 2014-15 and for Florida State in 2013 as well. He won the 2012 National Recruiter of the Year from 247Sports and has been pivotal in landing several five and four-star players at his various stops in college.
UPDATE: As of 10:08 PM Eastern time, Jeremy Pruitt is believed to have accepted Tennessee’s offer and the deal is “basically done” according to Hyams.
Alabama DC Jeremy Pruitt has accepted the job as Tennessee’s new coach. Details are still being ironed out, sources said, but the deal is basically done. He has coached in Alabama HS ranks for 8 years and in college for 11 years, 8 at Alabama
— Jimmy Hyams (@JimmyHyams) December 7, 2017
We will have more news on this story as it develops.
