Here are the key people named in the NCAA report detailing its investigation into whether the Tennessee football program committed recruiting violations under coach Jeremy Pruitt, who was fired for cause by Chancellor Donde Plowman on Jan. 18, 2021.
The university fired Pruitt after conducting its own investigation into the allegations, and reported to the NCAA it had discovered evidence the football program had broken the rules.
By firing Pruitt for cause, Tennessee maintains it is not responsible for paying Pruitt the $12.6 million buyout stipulated by his contract. Additionally, the move signaled to the NCAA that the school acted swiftly and decisively when it uncovered violations, and therefore deserves leniency in any punishments handed down.
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WHAT’S NEXT: How Tennessee could avoid major sanctions from NCAA despite litany of rules violations
Jeremy Pruitt, fired Vols football coach
Pruitt coached UT from 2018-21, posting a 16-19 record before he was fired after his third season.
UT declined to pay Pruitt’s $12.6 million buyout. His lawyer, Michael Lyons, threatened to sue the university and alluded to exposing other rules infractions if UT doesn’t settle with his client and pay some of the vacated buyout. But there’s no indication Lyons has filed a lawsuit.
Pruitt spent the 2021 season as a senior defensive analyst with the New York Giants. But he was not retained after coach Joe Judge was fired.
Pruitt is mentioned throughout the NCAA report, including allegations he provided cash payments to some players for living expenses.
Most notably, the investigation found that he failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance in the football program and monitor staff, which encompasses all 18 violations.
Casey Pruitt, wife of fired Vols football coach Jeremy Pruitt
In allegations that surely will draw intense interest, the NCAA says Pruitt’s wife, Casey, provided $12,500 in cash car payments – 25 payments of $500 each – and $3,000 in cash rent payments for a player and his mother from September 2018 to March 2021. The gifts began during the prospect’s recruitment and continued after he enrolled and played for the Vols.
That represented most of the $23,260 in cash and gifts given to the player by Jeremy Pruitt and Casey Pruitt, assistant coaches Shelton Felton and Brian Niedermeyer and staffer Bethany Gunn. The remainder included hotel stays, meals, entertainment, team apparel…