Tennessee football: 5 possible reasons Vols OC hire has taken so long

5. Jeremy Pruitt wants to focus on the early signing period first.

This makes a lot of sense. It’s something that didn’t exist two years ago, but it’s crucial. Tennessee football built its first recruiting class under Jeremy Pruitt largely from the early signing period, and with just a week to get things together there, the Vols have to worry about it again.

Let’s be very clear: The early signing period is more important than the offensive coordinator hire. There are plenty of talented guys available to fill this one role. But if you have a bad recruiting class when you’re trying to rebuild a program, it sets you back significantly.

As a result, Pruitt may not have time to iron out details with his offensive coordinator hire yet. He’s got to be on the road and getting guys to Knoxville. And before you say the offensive coordinator might make a difference in the recruiting class, players usually commit to coaches and programs, not really coordinators.

The only exception to that rule may have been David Cutcliffe, whom Peyton Manning did indeed commit to. But overall, you don’t want to build your program on drawing recruits to your assistants. After all, those guys won’t be there for too long if they’re good.

Simply put, the Vols need to be focusing on recruiting more than anything else right now, and Pruitt is right to do that. If he has to wait until after the early signing period to make his hire, so be it. Heck, he can even wait until after National Signing Day and be fine.