My dad has a had a big influence on me being a football coach, Pruitt told the Big Orange Caravan crowd. First of all, I saw what a positive impact he had on the people in our community, and I think hes very well-respected in the business. He seemed to always be able to get the best out of kids.
Pruitts quick (and often dry) wit also seems to have come from his father. Dale Pruitt surprised his son by driving up to Knoxville for the Vols first practice of spring camp, and even the Big Orange Caravan crowd chuckled when Jeremy relayed the story of his dads thoughts on that practice.
I didnt even know he was gonna come the first day of spring ball, Jeremy Pruitt said. I kind of looked over to the side, and it was a cool day, so everybody had on jackets, and I thought, Man, that looks like my dad. Then, practice was over with, and I walked over there, and it was him.
Pruitt, naturally, asked his fathers opinion of the practice hed just watched. That might not have been the best idea. I looked him and I said, Hey, what did you think? Jeremy Pruitt said. He said, Ehhh.
I said, Are you gonna stay and watch tape? Jeremy Pruitt said. He said, No, I couldnt watch that twice.
The son eventually got in a joke of his own, though, when Voice of the Vols Bob Kesling asked him if his father got the best out of him first as a player and then as a coach. Nah, my mom got the best out of me, Jeremy Pruitt said. The guess on this end is that Pruitt Family Thanksgiving is a hoot.
