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Lane Kiffin: Jeremy Pruitt, Vols could be playoff contender in two years

By Caleb Calhoun

BOCA RATON, FL - SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Lane Kiffin of the Florida Atlantic Owls looks during third quarter action against the Bethune Cookman Wildcats on September 16, 2017 at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida. FAU defeated Bethune Cookman 45-0. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
BOCA RATON, FL - SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Lane Kiffin of the Florida Atlantic Owls looks during third quarter action against the Bethune Cookman Wildcats on September 16, 2017 at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida. FAU defeated Bethune Cookman 45-0. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /
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Florida Atlantic Owls head coach and former Tennessee football head coach Lane Kiffin is high on Jeremy Pruitt and the Volunteers.

Jeremy Pruitt has one big fan already. And it’s from a former co-worker while working under Nick Saban with the Alabama Crimson Tide who also once held the job in Knoxville: Lane Kiffin. That’s right, the guy who was once a head coach on Rocky Top, became a pariah after bolting early and then became the favorite for the job again is high on the guy it went to.

Kiffin expressed his high expectations for the program in a Nashville radio interview on Morning Drive Friday morning. He compared the Vols under Pruitt to what the Georgia Bulldogs have recently done under Kirby Smart.

Here’s what he said:

"“Jeremy’s going to do a great job there. I would not be shocked if it’s not going to be just like Georgia. Looking at Tennessee back in the Top 10 within two years and making a Playoff run.”"

The FAU coach also hailed Pruitt’s recruiting, his teaching abilities and his knowledge of football. He called him arguably the best defensive coordinator in the nation.

"“Just being around him, I sat next to him every day in staff meetings, he’s extremely intelligent, high school coaches love him — which will go a long ways in recruiting.”"

Lane Kiffin and the Tennessee Vols have had a love-hate relationship ever since Kiffin left Knoxville after the 2009 season. During his four years with the USC Trojans, it was all hate. That hate grew when he was fired and became Alabama’s offensive coordinator, often trolling the Vols.

But as Butch Jones’s seat began to warm up and fans wanted a change at the top, momentum grew to get Kiffin back. Kiffin himself appeared to be interested last year, but the hire never manifested.

Still, Lane Kiffin is now a mixed bag in Knoxville. And with him out of the SEC, the hate has subsided significantly. As a result, this is probably an objective observation. When Phillip Fulmer hired Pruitt, many people did immediately think of Kirby Smart’s success. So that’s pretty good analysis, and he does seem to be a football genius. We’ll know about that soon enough.

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