Latest: This is second and third hand. So give it just that credence. Pruitt was supposed to interview Tuesday/Wednesday. Pushed due to Steele negotiations/OL interviews. Now will interview Thursday. Standard protocol of an outside party investigation is that coach goes last. While witnesses are instructed to not discuss their interviews, they do. Pruitt will know what others have said before he talks. It will be hard for him to avoid the hard data they have. There are cash debit cards, burner phones, common terms texted among those in the circle of the violations. In addition to our own staff testimony, including those who’ve left over disagreements, there is testimony from current and past players, past coaches, past recruits, other SEC coaches, parents, and an outside facilitator of the violations. There is little doubt that level one and two violations occurred. If Pruitt were to lie, he’d be fired for cause on the spot. If he tells the truth, he’ll be admitting to violations, and could be fired for cause. Here’s where it gets sticky. The loyalty of current (especially defensive) players to Pruitt is off the charts. There are 8-12 players (and their families) on that side of the ball that are lock step with their head coach. The AD wants to be able to say they were forced to fire him if they fire him. They want it to be black and white and irrefutable. They also want to have a calming force on that side of the ball to talk to families if they let Pruitt go (Steele). In addition to the loyal players, there are also loyal signees and loyal recruits (and their families). Repeat the same logic for them. PF has told many with a straight face that UT won’t fire Pruitt unless they are “forced” to. That’s his chess move. He’s not in control of Pruitt’s fate. Pruitt is. Remember that Pruitt has the best agent in the business, good attorneys, and the benefit of anything he learned from others. He isn’t going to testify without a lot of firepower on his side. As for the leak of the investigation, look to one of the oldest Vols in the family. Hiring Steele is both things at once. If they keep Pruitt, he’s a great LB coach and mentor. If Pruitt goes, he’s a stabilizing force, good recruiter, and trusted confidant of Fulmer. If anyone tells you they know that he’s being fired, they don’t know. To stay, Pruitt will have to thread the needle tomorrow. If he tells the truth, and packages just right, they might let him sit in his own puddle, rather than try to get a new coach to take over in the midst of an investigation. Remember that we’re still in the internal phase. The NCAA version will take months going forward. When I asked my friend if Steele was an LB coach, a future DC or an interim HC?, he said “exactly”. Two more OL coaches interview today. Regardless of the outcome, there will be more staff turnover. Who leaves will depend on who stays. Needless to say, Nieds probably won’t be coaching in college for awhile. All of this is exactly third hand. Take it for that. It comes from someone who is close to all the meetings, but not in all of them, relayed to a friend, and relayed to me. Some accuracy could be lost in translation. I’m getting more and more hesitant to share as the outcome is about to affect the school, individuals and their careers, and families. There is a lot of color commentary I’m not sharing that involves personal behavior. Suffice it to say, the whole thing feels rotten. The accounts I’ve heard don’t make anyone look good, with the exception of some of the assistants who’ve been loyal to the university while being thrown under the bus. My friend says the investigation is MONTHS from complete, but there will be a decision on the fate of the HC before next Monday. I might share some other things after getting some clarity. Weigh all this as gossip, and make your own judgments on people as more facts come to light.
