Tag: jeremy pruitt

Former Vols’ assistant Jake Dawson named head coach at Clinton

Former Tennessee undergraduate assistant hired as head coach at Clinton High School.

Former Tennessee defensive undergraduate assistant Jake Dawson was named head coach for Clinton High School football in Clinton, Tennessee.

Dawson, 24, was on Tennessee’s staff under former head coach Jeremy Pruitt from 2019-20. He served as defensive coordinator at Catholic High School in Knoxville during the 2024 season.

Prior to his stint with Catholic, he was co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Heritage High School (Maryville, Tennessee) under head coach Joe Osovet. Osovet also served as an assistant coach for the Vols under Pruitt.

Dawson, a graduate of Marion County High School in Jasper, Tennessee, was defensive backs coach at Powell High School (Powell, Tennessee) when the Panthers won a state championship in 2021.

He will be Clinton’s third head coach in three years. Last year, Clinton (3-8) advanced to the 5A state playoffs for a second consecutive season.

Dawson told Vols Wire Clinton can be successful in 2025.

“When I look at the Clinton program, I see untapped potential, and I’m looking forward to working with these young men,” Dawson said. “I saw the facilities and they’re great, and the administration, (principal Robbie) Herrell and (athletic director Josh) Reid, they’re great people. I’m blessed. I don’t deserve this opportunity, but God is good.”

Reid said Dawson is the right person to lead Clinton’s program.

“Jake is a great young man and I look forward to see him work with our young men, and give the opportunity they deserve,” Reid said. “He’s wise beyond his years and the sky’s the limit.”

Randy Sartin/USA TODAY Network

A look back at Tennessee’s victory over Chattanooga in 2019

A look back at Tennessee’s first win in 2019 against Chattanooga at Neyland Stadium.

Tennessee will host Chattanooga on Saturday to open the 2024 season.

Kickoff is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. EDT and SEC Network will televise the contest between the Vols and  Mocs.

Tennessee leads the all time series, 40-2-2.

Each week, Vols Wire will look back at a memorable game against Tennessee’s upcoming opponent. This installment will revisit the Vols’ win over Chattanooga on Sept. 14, 2019 at Neyland Stadium.

Tennessee entered the game under head coach Jeremy Pruitt with an 0-2 record, having lost to Georgia State and BYU.

The Vols defeated Chattanooga, 45-0.

Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano completed 7-of-8 passing attempts for 142 yards and three touchdowns for Tennessee.

The Vols forced four turnovers in the contest as Jeremy Banks, Nigel Warrior and Kenney Solomon III all recorded interceptions, while Darrell Taylor recovered a fumble by the Mocs.

Brandon Johnson also scored a touchdown after a blocked punt.

Ty Chandler led Tennessee in rushing yards (46) and Marquez Callaway led the Vols with 59 receiving yards.

PHOTOS: Tennessee football defeats Chattanooga in 2019

Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Former Tennessee running back signee Cody Brown enters second season at Virginia

Former Tennessee running back signee Cody Brown enters second season at Virginia.

Tennessee will kick off its 2023 season on Sept. 2.

The Vols will play Virginia at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. Kickoff is slated for noon EDT and ABC will televise the season-opening matchup.

Former Tennessee running back signee Cody Brown enters his second season at Virginia in 2023.

The 5-foot-10, 215-pound Brown signed with the Vols on Dec. 16, 2020 under former head coach Jeremy Pruitt.

Josh Heupel was hired as Tennessee’s head coach on Jan. 27, 2021. 

Brown was released from his national letter of intent to play for Tennessee on Feb. 17, 2021.

“Thank you to the Tennessee coaches and staff that recruited me and made me a part of their family,” Brown announced. “Most of all thank you Vol nation for the support and love you have given me throughout my commitment.

“After a lot of of thought and consideration, my family and I have decided that it would be best for me to reevaluate my options and put my name into the transfer portal. Please respect my decision.”

Brown played for Miami in 2021. He appeared in 10 games with the Hurricanes, recording 139 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. 

He transferred to Virginia ahead of the 2022 season. He appeared in four games with the Cavaliers, recording four rushing yards.

PHOTOS: Tennessee running backs through the years

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Former Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt now coaching HS in Alabama

This time around he’s coaching at his former high school in Alabama.

One of the top defensive minds in college football is back in the business after a year off. This time, he’s coaching at his former high school in Alabama.

According to a report by Greg Stephenson at AL.com, former Tennessee Volunteers head football coach Jeremy Pruitt has been hired as a PE teacher and assistant coach at Plainview High School (Ala.), where he once attended.

Tennessee Volunteers head coach Jeremy Pruitt during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, September 21, 2019. [Matt Pendleton/Correspondent]
“AL.com reported Thursday that Pruitt, who was the Dawgs’ defensive coordinator from 2014-15, has been hired as a PE teacher and assistant coach at Plainview High School in Rainsville, Alabama, which is Pruitt’s hometown. He will also coach junior high basketball.”

Pruitt has a background as a defensive backs coach, but he worked his way up the ranks to eventually become head coach at Tennessee. He went 16-19 during his three-year run there from 2018-2020.

Pruitt has also been the subject of a recruiting scandal. He, his wife and some members of his staff at Tennessee were found to have given out impermissible benefits to some players. As a result, he was fired from his position early in 2021 for cause.

Pruitt has also put in time as the defensive coordinator at Georgia, Alabama and Florida State. Most recently, he was a Senior defensive assistant for the New York Giants in 2021 under former head coach Joe Judge. He did not coach at any level during the 2022 season.

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Jeremy Pruitt hired at Plainview High School

Report: Jeremy Pruitt hired at Plainview High School

Former Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt has been hired as a physical education teacher at Plainview High School in Rainsville, Alabama.

Pruitt’s hiring was first reported by Paige Dauer of WVLT-TV in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Pruitt served as the Vols’ head coach from 2018-20, compiling a 16-21 on-the-field record. Tennessee defeated Indiana, 23-22 on the field, in the TaxSlayer Bowl on Jan. 2, 2020.

He came to Tennessee from Alabama, serving as the Crimson Tide’s defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach from 2016-17.

Pruitt is a five-time national championship assistant coach (2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017).

He played defensive back at Alabama after transferring from Middle Tennessee State.

PHOTOS: Tennessee football head coaches through the years

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Report: Texas A&M Defensive lineman’s 2020 impermissible visit cost Tennessee $3,000

Mike Wilson of The Knoxville News Sentinel reported that current Texas A&M DL Walter Nolen’s 2020 impermissible recruiting visit to Tennesee cost a total of $3,000 smackeroos.

Former Tennessee Football Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt, who coached the Volunteers from 2018-2020, has been embroiled in one the largest recruiting-based scandals in the last decade, as it has been reported that over $60,000 worth of impermissible benefits were provided to more than a dozen recruits, over his three-year coaching stint.

On Monday, Knoxville News Sentinel reporter Mike Wilson revealed the identity of one of the unnamed recruits who received such benefits, as current Texas A&M defensive lineman Walter Nolen, who was ranked as the No. 2-ranked player in the 2022 recruiting class, reportedly personally cost Pruitt a total of $3,000 while hosting Nolen and his family in October 2020.

Provided by Mike Wilson, here is the current timeline and repercussions from the numerous violations Pruitt committed:

“The in-person visit was outlined Friday when the NCAA announced its verdict after a yearslong probe into Pruitt’s program. The impermissible visit and benefits were among the more than 200 violations committed by Pruitt and his staff that resulted in a five-year probation for UT and at least $8 million in fines, as well as restrictions on scholarships and recruiting.”

After consecutive visits to College Station in November 2021, Nolen committed to the program on November 6 after attending Texas A&M’s 41-38 win against then No.1-ranked Alabama at Kyle Field on October 9.

Note from Knox News: Nolen is not mentioned by name in NCAA and university investigative documents obtained by Knox News via a public records request.

*Update: The Eagle Reporter Travis Brown received a direct quote from Walter Nolen, stating:

“Short and simple… it never happended… GO AGGIES!!!!!

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

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The NCAA’s ruling against Tennessee and former coach Jeremy Pruitt, explained

The NCAA found that Tennessee committed more than 200 unreported violations.

Welcome to FTW Explains, a guide to catching up on and better understanding stuff going on in the world. Are you wondering how former Tennessee football coach Jeremy Pruitt is still impacting the Volunteers? We’re here to help.

On Friday, the NCAA Committee on Infractions made a ruling in the case regarding Tennessee football and alleged misconduct under former head coach Jeremy Pruitt.

All in all, the NCAA found that Tennessee committed more than 200 unreported violations, including 18 of the Level I variety (the most severe). The Volunteers received a historic $8 million fine from the NCAA as well as sanctions which include scholarship and official visit reductions.

The team must also vacate all 11 wins from the 2019 and 2020 seasons, according to ESPN’s Chris Low.

But that’s not the entire story, and the people most affected by this ruling haven’t been affiliated with the program in several years. Here, we’ll answer all your burning questions about the Pruitt saga.

Brian Kelly discusses Tennessee’s NCAA penalties at SEC media days

LSU head coach Brian Kelly discusses Tennessee’s NCAA penalties at SEC media days.

Southeastern Conference media days kicked off Monday at the Grand Hyatt in Nashville, Tennessee.

Second-year LSU head coach Brian Kelly was the first to speak on the main stage at media days.

Kelly was asked about Tennessee’s penalties handed down by the NCAA.

“You know, I’m not privy to all of the information because I did not read it,” Kelly said. “I saw that there was some financial sanctions that were given, and I think coach (Jeremy) Pruitt was given some NCAA sanctions. Again, I know it was adjudicated.

“I’ve been involved in those NCAA processes and they’re painstakingly vetted. In other words, there are so many people that have put in incredible amount of time to get to the right conclusions. It’s hard for me sitting outside looking in to be a judge of this, other than we knew it was going to be adjudicated in some fashion.”

Information on Tennessee’s NCAA penalties can be read here.

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Former Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt referenced George Floyd in NCAA probe

Former Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt referenced George Floyd to NCAA investigators when explaining his decisions

There is twisted and then there is what Jeremy Pruitt told NCAA investigators who were probing the indiscretions in the Tennessee program when he was coach.

The Knoxville News reported Monday that Pruitt said COVID-19, the nation’s racial challenges and George Floyd went into his decision to give the mother of a player $300 in a Chick-fil-A bag.

Per Knoxnews.com:

Pruitt admitted giving her the cash from his car, where he typically stored it …

And Pruitt said his privilege, her race and social unrest were on his mind.

“Then you throw in George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, okay, so you sit there as a white man and you see all of this going on and you can see these kids suffering,” Pruitt said.

“… (It’s) pitiful when you sit in a room and you hear grown men, and I’m talking about our coaches too, when they talk about growing up and the circumstances that they’ve been under, because it’s hard for a white man to understand, right.”

Pruitt, who received a six-year show caused penalty for his role in the recruiting scandal that will cost the school an $8 million, said he would do it again.

“I would do it again because I don’t think it’s breaking the rules (based on what would’ve been available through UT’s Student Assistance Fund if not for the pandemic),” Pruitt said. “I don’t know about y’all, but I’ve got little kids, and I hope one of these days when I’m dead and gone that somebody does the right thing for them.”

 

Kirby Smart, Nick Saban hold close relationship as they now compete for national titles

Kirby Smart shares his thoughts on what Nick Saban has done for CFB and the SEC

Even though they are now battling for recruits and national titles with one another on an annual basis, the respect between Nick Saban and Georgia head coach Kirby Smart runs deep. Smart spent one year with Saban on his LSU staff as the defensive backs coach and nine years at Alabama as an assistant head coach and defensive coordinator.

Smart was a massive piece in the early part of the Tide’s dynasty having worked with some of those all-time defenses from 2007 to 2015. Smart was the best coordinator Saban has had on either side of the ball during his tenure, and his departure for Georgia was a tough one. Jeremy Pruitt did a fine job succeeding Smart, but the Alabama defense has never been the same since Kirby left town.

Kirby’s current status as one of the top coaches in the nation didn’t happen overnight. His time in Tuscaloosa was spent fine-tuning his craft to get to where he is now. One source told ESPN’s Alex Scarborough that “Kirby [Smart] got dog-cussed constantly.”

Perhaps Saban’s antics and discipline rubbed off on Kirby, as he is now successfully leading the Bulldogs into what some would consider the start of a dynasty.

Despite Georgia’s recent success and the closer relationship held by the coaches, there’s still some very healthy ongoing competition as they lead the two strongest programs in the strongest conference in collegiate athletics.

The two sides have played head-to-head in the national title twice since Smart took over the reins of the UGA program, but despite this, the two still hold a very close relationship. Saban always speaks very positively of Kirby and shares his appreciation for the time they had together. So, it is very cool to see Smart return the favor and share high praises for Saban.

The SEC has cemented itself as the best conference in college football for some time now, and a large part of that is because of Saban according to Kirby. On the Paul Finebaum show Smart said,

“Nick has been tremendous for our sport. Nobody has moved the college football game more than he has…the SEC is the premier place primarily because he started bringing national championships there when he came to LSU. He has done a lot for this game.”

It is likely that the two sides will meet in 2023 in either the SEC Championship or College Football Playoffs, so it is interesting to hear how much they truly admire one another. Because without each other, neither of these guys would have reached the same levels of success.

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Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02