Alabama DC Jeremy Pruitt has accepted the job as Tennessee's new coach. Details are still being ironed out, sources said, but the deal is basically done. He has coached in Alabama HS ranks for 8 years and in college for 11 years, 8 at Alabama
Rick Barnes said the week Tennessee played Alabama in football, coach Josh Heupel asked Barnes if he could get into the gym and shoot for 30 minutes with his son, Jace. Barnes said Heupel said: `I need to spend some time with my son.’ He described Heupel as `well grounded.’
While UT considered Reid Sigmon for interim AD job to replace the fired John Currie, Phillip Fulmer will be named the athletic director at the 4 pm presser, but don't know if full time or interim. With Fulmer at the helm, don't be surprised if pool of candidates opens up.
Tennessee has been fined $100,000 for fans rushing Neyland Stadium after the No. 6 Vols upset No. 1 Alabama Saturday. This is UT's second offense. UT fans rushed the basketball court after a 2006 win over Florida ($50K fine). A second fine is $100K. A third fine would be $250K
Two Tennessee football players who entered the transfer portal will re-enroll at Tennessee – both starters. The names are expected to be made public soon.
Sources: SEC men's basketball official Anthony Jordan, who had facebook post 5 years ago appearing to show he is an LSU fan, was suspended by SEC after the LSU-UT game Feb. 23. He has not called SEC regular-season game since nor will he call any games in SEC tournament.
Here’s a shoutout to UT football fans. UT bought 5000
tickets at $130 each for Saturday game at Auburn. (Florida bought 2900 for trip
to Knoxville Sept. 22). UT also sold over 65,000 season tickets for a team that
hasn’t won an SEC game since November, 2016. That’s impressive.
BREAKING NEWS: QB Navy Shuler, son of former UT QB great Heath Shuler, has committed to Tennessee. He has 4 years of eligibility left after playing 2 years at Appalachian State. He is 6-foot, 208 pounds
Tennessee has offered the job to Alabama DC Jeremy Pruitt. The parties are discussing details tonight. A potential hang up is whether Pruitt would be allowed to coach Alabama in the college football playoffs
Breaking news: Tennessee's deal with Alabama DC Jeremy Pruitt is done, according to multiple sources. We reported last night that Pruitt had accepted Tennessee's offer. Expect a press conference later today
Former member of UT board of trustees unhappy with Schiano hiring: "In the current environment you couldn't have done anything worse than perceived to have known about Jerry Sandusky (and said nothing). You (UT) can't take that chance. I'm speechless. Unbelievable. "
Breaking news: Tennessee coach Butch Jones has been fired and has informed his coaches. Jones was given the chance to coach the last 2 games and declined, a source said.
Tennessee OL Cade Mays texted me that he is returning to UT and that he will be healthy enough to participate in spring practice: `I am returning and will be able to do spring ball.' That will help an OL that will surely miss All-American Trey Smith.
Former Tennessee quarterback Randy Sanders has been hired as head coach at ETS U. The announcement will be made tomorrow. Sanders is oftensive cordinator at Florida State. He has also been OC at Tennessee and an assistant at Kentucky. He was a star HS quarterback in Morristown
I am told Tennessee was going to have a press conference tonight to announce the hiring of Schiano but canceled it due to protests. Unsure if it will be rescheduled tomorrow or if the deal has fallen through. One prominent booster wasn't happy with Schiano hire.
Tennessee is expected to officially announce today the reinstatement of RB-LB Jeremy Banks, who was dismissed last year. He is expected to compete for a job at inside linebacker.
Tee Martin said he has taken a job to coach WRs for the Ravens. He said he and UT 'mutually agreed to part ways' and that 'John Harbaugh has given me an opportunity to coach in the NFL and I accepted.'
Kara Lawson, former star for the Lady Vols and assistant coach for the Boston Celtics, has emerged as a leading candidate for the Duke women's basketball job.
Rumph asked UT fans not give up on team: `We’re not going to
quit, so don’t quit on these guys, don’t quit on the staff, don’t quit on this
town, don’t quit on this university. We need you.’
VFL Jayson Swain has been hired by the Sports Animal to co-host Sports 180 with Josh Ward noon to 3 pm Swain replaces Heather Harrington, who is now with sister station WIVK. Welcome, Jayson.
With DT Walter Nolen in the audience at the Knoxville QB club, Tennessee DC Tim Banks said UT DL coach Rodney Garner is the best DL coach in nation and 'you'd be a fool to not want to play for him' and if you 'want to play in the NFL.' Nolen is committed to Texas A&M.
Vols basketball assistant Desmond Oliver says UT is deeper than than 31-win team 2 years ago and has the potential to be 'playing the last game of the season.' He said Yves Pons is one of nation's best defenders and has improved shooting, ball handling.
Why not bring back the Beer Barrel for the UT-Kentucky game? After all, teams are selling beer in their stadiums. Beer Barrel started in 1925 and was banned in 1997 after Kentucky student died in alcohol-related accident. Where is Beer Barrel? In UT equipment room.
Interesting note: If Tennessee men's basketball team beats Austin Peay Dec. 21, it would be the first time since 2007 that UT went undefeated at home in football and men's basketball in the same CALENDAR year.
If Tennessee's 52-49 victory Saturday over Alabama had been a movie, the game would have won Best Picture, UT coach Josh Heupel, Best Director; UT QB Hendon Hooker, Best Actor; UT WR Jalin Hyatt, Best Supporting Actor; the Neyland crowd, Best Sound Track.
You could argue there were better college quarterbacks and better NFL quarterbacks than Peyton Manning, but it's hard to argue that Manning put together the best career of college and pro combined -- better than Brady or Montana or Unitas or Favre or Elway or anyone.
Tennessee coach Tony Vitello said on SportsTalk today he has a verbal agreement with UT on 'some things' and he is in 'constant communication' with UT on contract and stadium improvements and perhaps other things.
Phillip Fulmer grabs mike and yells 'how about these SEC champions.' He then congratulations fans and coaches after UT beats Georgia to win share of SEC title after being picked 13th in SEC
Source: The football official in the UT-Kentucky game that was escorted off the field and take by ambulance to the hospital suffered a concussion when he collided with a player. He has been cleared to fly home Sunday.
For the first time in 7 games, UT QB Jarrett Guarantano started. For the 4th time in UT history, a Vol QB passed for at least 415 yards. For the first time in school history, 3 WRs had at least 100 receiving yards. And for first time in 3 years, Tennessee is going bowling.
I am not sure if Heupel can find a better DC than a current member of the UT staff, Kevin Steele, who has been a successful DC at Alabama, Auburn and LSU. In addition to knowing the SEC landscape, Steele is also a very good recruiter. Don't know if Heupel has a timeline for a DC.
Tennessee fans apparently didn't buy any of the Pitt ticket allotment since Pitt only offered seats in 500 level (which UT refused) after UT allotted 2,200 to Pitt in lower level last year. UT did get over 400 tickets in Section 101, primarily for the band.
Interesting note: The Super Bowl has 1 player that was an ESPN 5-star high school recruit – Leonard Fournette. KC has 12 four-stars, Tampa Bay 8. KC has 10 3-stars, Tampa Bay 12. KC has 19 below a 3-star, Tampa Bay 22. That’s 63 players rated 3-star or worse in the Super Bowl.
It's with great sadness that we mention Bobby Campbell, who did a great job as groundskeeper for UT and the K-Jays, died Saturday afternoon after a long illness. Bobby had been hospitalized recently. He was a dear friend and a great man. I will miss him. Many in ETN will miss him
Tennessee is 10-0 the last two seasons when facing an SEC men's team for the second time that year (5-0 this year, 5-0 last year). The fact UT has won each of its rematches is a strong indication that Rick Barnes and his staff are pretty darn good coaches.
Tennessee Vols trying to become first team ever to win 3 in a row at Rupp Arena and first team to win 3 in a row in Lexington since 1920s, when UT did it a century ago. John Fulkerson could also be first player to win 4 times in Rupp.
Tennessee FB team will fly into Ocala, Fla., for Florida game for first time in years thanks to John Trivolta. Trivolta and his wife Kelly Preston have horse farm near Ocala and Trivolta paid to have runway extended so he could fly into Ocala. That allows UT to fly into Ocala...
If football players have fulfilled their scholarship before the bowl and opt out, then move out of the dorm, find your own food, find your own worked facility and pay your own parking tickets.
All of Tennessee players arrived Sunday in Nashville covid-free. Coach Josh Heupel said the Vols had good energy in first practice at Vanderbilt stadium with 66 degree weather. Heupel said OL Cade Mays, yet to make a bowl practice, intends to play
@SportsAnimal991
Tennessee athletic department legend Gus Manning passed away last night. He was 99. Born July 8, 1923. Hired at UT in 1951 til 2000. He had a string of attending 608 consecutive football games home and away, and string of attending home games 1946-2017.
UT offensive coordinator Tyson Helton said he got a text
today from USC offensive coordinator Tee Martin (former UT quarterback) wishing him good luck at UT and saying `I'm pulling for you.’ Helton and Martin coached 2 years together at USC.
Tennessee has just signed Butler (Kansas) CC offensive lineman Jeremiah Crawford (6-6, 300). He is one of the nation's top Juco offensive line prospects. He is expected to play juco ball this spring. He made 2nd team all-conference last year.
Former Tennessee All-American Dale Ellis said during SportsTalk interview today that playing at UT was 'most incredible 4 years of my life.' Ellis was 2 time SEC POY and No. 6 all-time UT scorer.
Two coaches with SEC ties told me that Chaney is the best offensive coordinator and best play caller in the SEC. Chaney will get a 3 year deal at about $4.5 million. He has a $500,000 buyout at Georgia
Based on conversations with several sources tonight I would be shocked if Jeremy Pruitt does not take the Tennessee job. Pruitt, 43, has been a defensive coordinator at Florida State, Georgia and Alabama. He's known as a great recruiter. He played at MTSU and Alabama
Tennessee WR coach Tee Martin was not promoted to acting head coach after Jeremy Pruitt was fired because UT’s internal investigation was ongoing and attorneys didn’t want 2020 staff members to be named acting head coach with probe incomplete. That’s why Kevin Steele was selected
UT senior TE Ethan Wolf has accepted an invitation to play in the 93rd East-West Shrine game Jan. 20 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. (NFL Network). Wolf played in 50 games at UT. Among TEs at UT, his 91 career catches ranks 2nd, his 998 receiving yards ranks third.
I'll be speaking at the Knoxville QB Club today at Calhoun's on the River at about 12:15 to 1 pm, pinch hitting for Tennessee athletic director John Currie. Probably won't speak but about 5 minutes since nothing is going on. Boring times at Rocky Top.
Rocky Goode, a Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame member, passed away last night. Rocky was a great all-around athlete and RB at Bearden HS. He played at Tennessee. He became a well-respected SEC official. He joined Sports Talk about 12 years to explain rules on the radio. RIP
Linebackers Henry To’o To’o and Quavaris Crouch are enrolled at Tennessee, even though both entered the transfer portal. Today is the drop-add date for UT students. OT Wayna Morris, who also entered the transfer portal, is not enrolled anywhere, a source said.
Source: NC State coach Dave Doeren has turned
down Tennessee. The Vols made an offer but NC State countered at $3M a year for 5 years. Whether the Wolfpack upped the offer more is not known. So where does UT turn? Chad Morris? Kevin Steele? Jeremy Pruitt? Lane Kiffin? Tee Martin?
Navy Shuler said he wanted to play for Josh Heupel. Navy played HS FB in Asheville, N.C. and in 24 starts passed for over 6,500 yards, had 7,591 all purpose yards and accounted for 82 touchdowns. His cousin is a LB at UT, West Shuler. Appy State returns QB Chase Brice
Source: Tennessee has made Rick Barnes the 3rd highest paid coach in men's hoops at $4.75M with a $100K annual raise over 5 or 6 years. John Calipari's salary listed at $9.28M, Coach K at $7M. Tom Izzo $4.16M, Tony Bennett $4.15M, Bill Self $4.07M, Chris Mack $4M, Mick Cronin $4M
Vols coach Rick Barnes said earlier today he doesn't think UT-Memphis series will be renewed after the 3-game set is completed next year in Nashville Dec. 18 or 20. Memphis hosted last year, UT will host Dec. 14 this year. Memphis coach Penny Hardaway blasted Barnes last year.
BREAKING NEWS: Sources: UT chancellor Beverly Davenport has been fired by Dr. Joe DiPietro. She was hired Dec. 15, effective Feb. 15. She made the controversial hire of John Currie as athletic director, then fired him Dec. 1 and hired Phillip
Fulmer as AD.
Tennessee coach Rick Barnes matched $100,000 (he had pledged to match $75,000) for the Emerald Youth Golf tourney held at HHCC Monday. Barnes has also won the Dick Vitale Spirit Award which will be presented next year at Vitale's gala in Florida that benefits pediatric cancer.
Tennessee AD Danny White told WNML radio that he would hire a search firm to help in the search for a football coach to replace Jeremy Pruitt. White cited the need for privacy and the concern about leaks on social media.
Wolf said he met new UT coach Jeremy Pruitt and Pruitt told
Ethan to tell his younger brother, TE Eli Wolf, to gain weight. Regarding
training, Wolf said Pruitt is `kicking their butts’ and the mindset appears to
be `if you don’t like it, get out’
We have confirmed that Tennessee will accept a bowl bid if bowl eligible rather than self impose bowl ban due to NCAA violations. I think UT felt compelled to NOT punish players not involved in NCAA infractions.
After weeks of deliberation, Tennessee TE Austin Pope, who entered the transfer portal, told me has decided to stay at UT. He spoke with coach Jeremy Pruitt this morning and Pruitt welcomed him back. Pope is a top-notch blocker who wants to be more involved in the passing game
Tennessee Vols basketball team will play in the NIT Season Tipoff in New York City with a field that includes Kansas, Louisville and Marquette. Vols will also play at Memphis and host Georgia Tech and Wake Forest in non-SEC games.
Has Tennessee ever had a greater baseball win? Dylan Dreiling drills walk-off double in bottom of 9th after Blake Burke tied game with 2-run single as Vols prevail 12-11 over Florida State in UT first game of CWS. UT scored 4 runs in bottom of 9th as last 4 hits came with 2 outs.
Florida Atlantic coach Lane Kiffin on sports talk said that Kendall Briles would make a great OC at Tennessee. Briles worked 1 year for Kiffin at Florida Athletic. Briles is at Houston. Coached at Baylor for 9 years. Kiffin praised Briles play calling ability
Tennessee's Jeremy Pruitt has been named the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week. UT defeated No. 11 Kentucky 24-7, it's second win over a ranked opponent. Pruitt is the only current SEC coach who won twice over ranked foes in his first regular-season as a head coach
With Duke's David Cutcliffe and Iowa State's Matt Campbell out of the picture, Tennessee has turned its coaching search focus to Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy. Three sources told me UT has interviewed Gundy, perhaps in Dallas. UT offered Gundy in 2012 but he said declined.
Ainsley said LB Henry To’o To’o is `playing like a Freshman All-American.’ He said DB Nigel Warrior is 2nd in the SEC in interceptions (4) and Darrell Taylor leads in sacks (7). He said LB JJ Peterson is doing a `really good job' and will have a `breakout future pretty soon.’