What an evaluation process could look like for Tennessee’s program following the 2020 season

What an evaluation process could look like for Tennessee’s program following the 2020 season.

Tennessee (2-6, 2-6 SEC) has two games remaining in its 2020 regular season.

The Vols travel to Vanderbilt and host Texas A&M to conclude a 10-game, SEC-only regular season.

Tennessee is currently on a six-game losing streak after winning eight consecutive contests dating back to last year.

Following the conclusion of the regular season, third-year Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt will evaluate every aspect of the Vols’ program.

The process will include a self-evaluation, as well as an in-depth look at the program from a coaching staff and off-field aspect.

Tennessee’s coaching staff features three assistants that have expired contracts on Jan. 31, 2021, in Will Friend (offensive line), Tee Martin (wide receivers) and Brian Niedermeyer (inside linebackers).

Decisions will also be evaluated if Pruitt wants to bring in other coaches to replace assistants that do not have expiring contracts. Familiarity could be ideal with coaches such as Mike Bobo, Bo Davis and Will Muschamp.

Any changes, along with the direction of the football department, will be evaluated as a whole from third-year Tennessee Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer and others associated with the program in making sure they are deemed feasible in bettering UT in 2021.

Dec 7, 2017; Knoxville, TN, USA; University of Tennessee Athletic Director Phillip Fulmer (left) introduces Jeremy Pruitt (right) during his introduction ceremony as Tennessee’s next head football coach at the Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Calvin Mattheis/Knoxville News Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK

Rush Propst, Pruitt’s former boss at Hoover High School, joined the show “Tennessee Two-A-Days” to discuss what could lie ahead for UT under a fourth year of the current regime.

“A lot of times we make changes based on, you just need to, because that is what people think you should do,” Propst said. “I don’t think Jeremy is that way a lot of times. I think he is pretty head strong when it comes to, I’m going to do it my way — he may not make a change period. I think he is the only one that can make that decision.

“He’s got to put a lot of thought to it, but outside looking in, being pundits and talking heads, it looks like with Mike Bobo, Will (Muschamp), Will Friend and Jeremy, they are all sort of got the same marriage type deal. They sort of know each other.”

From left University of Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman, head football coach Jeremy Pruitt, athletic director Phillip Fulmer, and UT System President Randy Boyd, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020. © Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel via Imagn Content Services, LLC

An evaluation process for Pruitt would include what he would want to do personally and how drastic changes could be.

“First and foremost, you got to sit back and not pressure him and let him make the right call,” Propst said. “He may not make a change or he may make wholesale changes. I don’t know.

“I just know when you lost six in a row, after winning eight in a row, you have to reevaluate yourself, you have to reevaluate your staff, reevaluate what you are doing, is it strength and conditioning, are they getting the right nutrition, are they getting the proper rest, are they getting the proper work on the field. There is a fine line of a lot different things that a head coach has to evaluate. You have to self-evaluate yourself all the time.”

The entire show with Propst can be listened to here or below.

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