This is the part in The Dark Knight where Heath Ledger’s character “The Joker” famously says, “And here we go.” After a 3-7 record in his third year on Rocky Top, Tennessee football head coach Jeremy Pruitt was fired today, sources confirmed to Yahoo Sports’ Pete Thamel.
Pruitt’s career as Tennessee football’s head coach ends with a 16-19 overall record from 2018-2020. According to PFF College, the Vols’ defensive ranking amongst SEC teams never finished higher than No. 8 in the three years the former Alabama defensive coordinator spent in Knoxville.
Fans will always have something to say, regardless of the state of UT’s football program. But when someone as important as Pruitt gets canned, that’s when you’ll start to see reactions from the players themselves. Here’s what some of the biggest names on Rocky Top had to say on Twitter about Tennessee football’s head coach getting fired.
Damn
— Jalin Hyatt (@jalinhyatt) January 18, 2021
https://twitter.com/901_sxvxge/status/1351219544908558337
https://twitter.com/LBumphus/status/1351215737747210246
why
— Brian Maurer (@maurerera_2) January 18, 2021
https://twitter.com/taeetaylor/status/1351225096824909830
https://twitter.com/Darel__/status/1351231535786160129
SHEESHH pic.twitter.com/pRuKt62vnC
— Aaron Willis (@44crzy) January 18, 2021
Something many fans argued as a point to keep Pruitt in Knoxville, was the potential effect that his departure would have on recruits. Amidst all of the commotion, long-time Tennessee commit Jordan Mosely announced his decommitment on Twitter. The four-star wide receiver from Mobile, Ala. had previously been committed to the Vols since June of 2019.
Rumors have hinted that Kevin Steele, the former Auburn Tigers defensive coordinator brought in last week as a defensive assistant could be taking over the head coaching gig. At this point, it’s tough to say whether or not Tennessee football fans would prefer Steele or another full-blown coaching search.
The school’s athletic department is set to hold a press conference regarding the future of the Tennessee football program today at 3 pm. Until the smoke clears and everyone is brought up to speed on the full-situation, expect a ton of rumors to fly around on social media.