The University of Tennessee confirmed the firing of head football coach Jeremy Pruitt during an afternoon press conference Monday. Chancellor Donde Plowman was joined by outgoing athletic director Phillip Fulmer and university president Randy Boyd in explaining the reasoning for the firing of Pruitt as well as nine others employed within the Vols football program.
According to Plowman, the university's general counsel launched an internal inquiry in November after the university received a report about possible NCAA violations within the football program.
The information gathered during its investigation also made clear that "Coach Pruitt did not meet the university's expectations for promoting an atmosphere of compliance and/or monitoring the activities of the coaches and staff who report to him."
"What is so disturbing, as demonstrated by the scope of these actions, is the number of violations and people involved and their efforts to conceal their activities from our compliance staff and from the Athletic department's leaders," Plowman noted. "Despite a strong compliance culture in our athletic department, we must look for ways to further strengthen our processes. We deeply regret the impact this may have on our many student-athletes, particularly the vast majority of our football players who have had no involvement in this matter at all."
(READ MORE: On and off the field, UT's Jeremy Pruitt era ends in disgrace)
In addition to Pruitt's termination, letters were issued to assistant coaches Brian Niedermeyer and Shelton Felton, four members of the on-campus recruiting staff, the director and assistant director of football player personnel and a football analyst/quality control coach.
"If you can't win the right way, you don't belong here," UT president Randy Boyd said.
Plowman also announced that she is accepting Fulmer's recommendation that she immediately begin a search for a new athletic director, who will, in turn, hire the next football coach. Fulmer had come out of retirement in 2017 to accept the position on a short-term basis.
Fulmer, who hired Pruitt, plans to retire from athletics as soon as his replacement is installed.
Kevin Steele, who was hired last week as a defensive assistant, has been named the Vols interim head coach.
(READ MORE: Wiedmer: UT football in quite a mess of its own making)
Pruitt's three seasons will also rank among the worst in UT history in terms of on-field struggles as he compiled an overall record of 16-19 - 10-16 in the Southeastern Conference. That included 16 double-digit losses, including 13 by 21-plus points. The Vols finished 3-7 last season, losing each by double digits.
"Our next football coach needs to be on the sidelines for 10 years or more, and he will need to know who his athletic director will be for the duration," Fulmer said. "It only makes sense that I make this move now, so a new coach and a new athletic director can implement their vision together. My only desire is to do whatever it takes to give Tennessee the best opportunity to succeed."
The search for a new director of athletics will begin immediately, and the university has engaged Parker Executive Search Firm to assist in the process. It is planned that once in place, the new athletic director will hire the new head football coach.
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis
(READ MORE: Jeremy Pruitt's turbulent timeline as Tennessee's football coach)