Jeremy Pruitt joined The Nation tonight with ESPN’s Chris Low and VolQuest.com’s Austin Price.
Here’s a quick recap of his comments...
* On what's been the most important offseason work for his team?
"Guys competing in everything they do. Defining everything in the organization. Creating a standard, and holding guys to that standard. It’s about creating the right habits. Going to class, how you train, how you eat, how you sleep. I think our guys are on their way to doing that."
* Pruitt said he's watched cut-ups of every individual player on the team from last season.
"I’ve looked at it a little bit, with a cut-up of every individual player. I wanted to see what I felt like their ability was. I didn’t look as much about production. But if it’s an offensive lineman, can he slide his feet? Can he bend? Can he take good angles?
A wide receiver, what’s his playing speed? Does he extend to catch a football? What’s his ability with ball in his hand. Does he compete when he don’t get the ball on run downs. Just like you would do on an eval on a high school player.
It gives you an indication on what kind of competitor they are or what their upside could possibly be."
* On his excitement level for spring practice starting Tuesday?
"I told my wife on Wednesday on spring break that I was ready to get back. It’s a good sign. I miss our guys. I’m excited about getting started. Everybody in the program is ready to get going."
* Tennessee will fully install the offensive and defensive schemes this spring. With the defensive schedule as follows.
"We’re going to stick to the plan."
Day 1: Middle of the field
Day 2: Cover 2
Day 3: Middle-Middle halves
Day 4: Quarters
Day 5: High red zone
Day 6: Low red zone, middle field review
Day 7: Split safety review
“You just kind of build it and have a teaching progression and a plan. We do the same thing with special teams and offense. I guess you would say that we’re putting in everything.”
* Pruitt is looking for competition this spring, from every position. He side-stepped quarterback question but simply noted that every guy gets the same amount of reps, even the walk-ons.
"That’s what the game of football is all about. You have to compete. The No. 1 competitor you have to go against is stand in the mirror and look at yourself.
Everybody in our organization will get the same amount of reps. Did note that the people that are “healthy” and are “here” need to take advantage of their opportunity.
* Pruitt was very complimentary of OL coach Will Friend.
"He was the first guy I called. It had nothing to do with our friendship. I got other friends who is in coaching, but I didn’t hire them. I tried to hire the best people. I feel like he is the best OL guy that we went against at Alabama. He does a nice job from a schematic standpoint. He’s very demanding."
* On his transition from DC to first-year HC.
"I got to be Jeremy Pruitt. That’s who I got to be. I’m not Nick Saban. I’m not Mark Richt. I’m not Jimbo Fisher. I got to be who I am."
Here’s a quick recap of his comments...
* On what's been the most important offseason work for his team?
"Guys competing in everything they do. Defining everything in the organization. Creating a standard, and holding guys to that standard. It’s about creating the right habits. Going to class, how you train, how you eat, how you sleep. I think our guys are on their way to doing that."
* Pruitt said he's watched cut-ups of every individual player on the team from last season.
"I’ve looked at it a little bit, with a cut-up of every individual player. I wanted to see what I felt like their ability was. I didn’t look as much about production. But if it’s an offensive lineman, can he slide his feet? Can he bend? Can he take good angles?
A wide receiver, what’s his playing speed? Does he extend to catch a football? What’s his ability with ball in his hand. Does he compete when he don’t get the ball on run downs. Just like you would do on an eval on a high school player.
It gives you an indication on what kind of competitor they are or what their upside could possibly be."
* On his excitement level for spring practice starting Tuesday?
"I told my wife on Wednesday on spring break that I was ready to get back. It’s a good sign. I miss our guys. I’m excited about getting started. Everybody in the program is ready to get going."
* Tennessee will fully install the offensive and defensive schemes this spring. With the defensive schedule as follows.
"We’re going to stick to the plan."
Day 1: Middle of the field
Day 2: Cover 2
Day 3: Middle-Middle halves
Day 4: Quarters
Day 5: High red zone
Day 6: Low red zone, middle field review
Day 7: Split safety review
“You just kind of build it and have a teaching progression and a plan. We do the same thing with special teams and offense. I guess you would say that we’re putting in everything.”
* Pruitt is looking for competition this spring, from every position. He side-stepped quarterback question but simply noted that every guy gets the same amount of reps, even the walk-ons.
"That’s what the game of football is all about. You have to compete. The No. 1 competitor you have to go against is stand in the mirror and look at yourself.
Everybody in our organization will get the same amount of reps. Did note that the people that are “healthy” and are “here” need to take advantage of their opportunity.
* Pruitt was very complimentary of OL coach Will Friend.
"He was the first guy I called. It had nothing to do with our friendship. I got other friends who is in coaching, but I didn’t hire them. I tried to hire the best people. I feel like he is the best OL guy that we went against at Alabama. He does a nice job from a schematic standpoint. He’s very demanding."
* On his transition from DC to first-year HC.
"I got to be Jeremy Pruitt. That’s who I got to be. I’m not Nick Saban. I’m not Mark Richt. I’m not Jimbo Fisher. I got to be who I am."
