KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP)- Pruitt was fired for cause Monday for alleged NCAA violations under his watch, according to University of Tennessee sources with knowledge of the situation, meaning the university will not pay his buyout.
Pruitt lasted just three seasons and leaves behind a program that is under investigation for alleged NCAA rules violations.
AD Phillip Fulmer will also be retiring, according to reports, after a new AD is hired. Fulmer made the decision to step down, and his departure is not tied to the investigation.
Pruitt's firing comes while the university is conducting an investigation of the football program into allegations of recruiting violations. The university retained lawyers Mike Glazier and Kyle Skillman to assist with the investigation. The Kansas-based lawyers are considered experts at representing universities during college athletics investigations.
Less than four months ago, Tennessee awarded Pruitt a contract extension that included a raise beginning this year and an increased buyout. He was under contract through Jan. 31, 2026.
Pruitt compiled a record of 16-19, including a 3-7 mark in 2020 against a conference-only schedule.
W.H. Britton and Derek Dooley are the only Tennessee coaches since World War I who compiled a worse overall winning percentage than Pruitt. Britton went 4-5 in 1935, his lone season, and Dooley went 15-21 from 2010-12.
Pruitt's contract includes more than 30 fire-for-cause provisions. Among them, he can be fired for cause if he engaged in conduct likely to result in an NCAA finding of a Level I or Level II rules violation, or if someone who reports to Pruitt engaged in conduct that constitutes a Level I or II violation or is likely to result in such a violation and the university determines Pruitt was negligent in his oversight or lacked reasonable preventative compliance measures.
Additionally, he can be fired for cause for a failure to promote and maintain an atmosphere of compliance or a failure to monitor employees who report to him.
Butch Jones remains the only Tennessee coach to last more than three seasons since Tennessee ousted Fulmer. Lane Kiffin bolted after the 2009 season for Southern California. Dooley was fired amid his third season. Jones was fired during his fifth season.