" Vanderbilt might not be the only SEC school in the state to consider a coaching change in 2020. Tennessee, however, is far less likely to make one, especially after awarding coach Jeremy Pruitt a completely unnecessary two-year contract extension before the season. (When will schools learn to read the market before giving away money they'll often have to eat later?)
Tennessee would owe Pruitt $12.88 million if it fires him this season. According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, the total payout for Pruitt and his staff would cost the school $19.2 million. The Vols are in free-fall, dropping five straight after a 2-0 start. The recent revelation that eight of Pruitt's 10 full-time assistants were the only athletic department employees who declined to accept a pay reduction to offset financial losses is a very bad look.
Then again, Pruitt is only in Year 3. He has largely reshaped the roster and continues to recruit well.
So, why would Tennessee make a change now? Hugh Freeze.
Several industry sources say Tennessee is the preferred landing spot for Freeze. Tennessee certainly could wait a year, see whether Pruitt improves the program in 2021 and then make a run at Freeze. But a poor finish, especially a loss this week against winless Vanderbilt, or a South Carolina push for Freeze, could change the thought process.
"Tennessee's always in play," an industry source said."
Freeze is practically BEGGING for this job but we have too chicken s*** of boosters/administration to make that move. Instead we will hang on to Pruitt through 2021 then hire another "up & coming" coach from a non P5 school.
Tennessee would owe Pruitt $12.88 million if it fires him this season. According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, the total payout for Pruitt and his staff would cost the school $19.2 million. The Vols are in free-fall, dropping five straight after a 2-0 start. The recent revelation that eight of Pruitt's 10 full-time assistants were the only athletic department employees who declined to accept a pay reduction to offset financial losses is a very bad look.
Then again, Pruitt is only in Year 3. He has largely reshaped the roster and continues to recruit well.
So, why would Tennessee make a change now? Hugh Freeze.
Several industry sources say Tennessee is the preferred landing spot for Freeze. Tennessee certainly could wait a year, see whether Pruitt improves the program in 2021 and then make a run at Freeze. But a poor finish, especially a loss this week against winless Vanderbilt, or a South Carolina push for Freeze, could change the thought process.
"Tennessee's always in play," an industry source said."
Freeze is practically BEGGING for this job but we have too chicken s*** of boosters/administration to make that move. Instead we will hang on to Pruitt through 2021 then hire another "up & coming" coach from a non P5 school.
