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The University of Tennessee fired head coach Jeremy Pruitt in mid-January after an investigation unearthed widespread recruiting violations. As a result, the school will not pay Pruitt his $12.6 million buyout.
But it didn’t take long for Pruitt to land on his feet.
In a hire that’s completely out of left field, New York Giants head coach Joe Judge has decided to add Pruitt to his staff. And while his initial role has not yet been defined, it will come on the defensive side of the ball.
I’m told this is happening: Former Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt is joining Joe Judge’s coaching staff with #NYGiants, source confirms, and as @DDuggan21 reported.
Pruitt will work on defensive side of ball, specific role TBD. https://t.co/ByVvZy186a— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) January 28, 2021
Following Bret Bielema’s departure for Illinois in December, the Giants have an opening at outside linebackers coach, so that could be a logical fit. And given the league interest in Anthony Blevins, the Giants could soon find themselves in need of a new assistant defensive backs coach as well.
The 46-year-old Pruitt has no NFL experience, but there is a lot of familiarity in East Rutherford. As Art Stapleton alluded, Pruitt and Kevin Sherrer have a long history today, while he and Judge spent three years together at Alabama on Nick Saban’s staff.
As an assistant coach/coordinator, Pruitt is a five-time national champion.
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