Tennessee fires Pruitt, 9 others for 'serious' NCAA issues
FILE - In this Oct. 19, 2019, file photo, Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt yells at the officials during an NCAA college football game against Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Tennessee fired Pruitt Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)

FILE - In this Oct. 19, 2019, file photo, Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt yells at the officials during an NCAA college football game against Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Tennessee fired Pruitt Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)

Jan. 18, 2021 12:54 PM EST
University of Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman speaks during a press conference in Knoxville, Tenn., Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. Tennessee has fired football coach Jeremy Pruitt, two assistants and seven members of the Volunteers' recruiting and support staff for cause after an internal investigation found what the university chancellor called “serious violations of NCAA rules.” Chancellor Donde Plowman said Pruitt was responsible for overseeing the program. (Brianna Paciorka/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)

University of Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman speaks during a press conference in Knoxville, Tenn., Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. Tennessee has fired football coach Jeremy Pruitt, two assistants and seven members of the Volunteers' recruiting and support staff for cause after an internal investigation found what the university chancellor called “serious violations of NCAA rules.” Chancellor Donde Plowman said Pruitt was responsible for overseeing the program. (Brianna Paciorka/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)

Jan. 18, 2021 04:26 PM EST
Tennessee Athletics Director Phillip Fulmer speaks during a press conference in Knoxville, Tenn., on Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. Tennessee has fired NCAA college football coach Jeremy Pruitt, two assistants and seven members of the Volunteers' recruiting and support staff for cause after an internal investigation found what the university chancellor called “serious violations of NCAA rules.” (Brianna Paciorka/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)

Tennessee Athletics Director Phillip Fulmer speaks during a press conference in Knoxville, Tenn., on Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. Tennessee has fired NCAA college football coach Jeremy Pruitt, two assistants and seven members of the Volunteers' recruiting and support staff for cause after an internal investigation found what the university chancellor called “serious violations of NCAA rules.” (Brianna Paciorka/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)

Jan. 18, 2021 04:25 PM EST
FILE - New Tennessee football coach Jeremy Pruitt, right, receives a personalized jersey from athletic director Phillip Fulmer during his introductory news conference in Knoxville, Tenn., in this Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, file photo. Tennessee fired Pruitt Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. The university also announced Monday that Phillip Fulmer will retire as athletic director. (AP Photo/Steve Megargee, FIle)

FILE - New Tennessee football coach Jeremy Pruitt, right, receives a personalized jersey from athletic director Phillip Fulmer during his introductory news conference in Knoxville, Tenn., in this Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, file photo. Tennessee fired Pruitt Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. The university also announced Monday that Phillip Fulmer will retire as athletic director. (AP Photo/Steve Megargee, FIle)

Jan. 18, 2021 01:04 PM EST
FILE - Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt watches during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Florida in KNoxville, Tenn., in this Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, file photo. Tennessee fired Pruitt Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. (Randy Sartin/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, Pool, File)

FILE - Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt watches during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Florida in KNoxville, Tenn., in this Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, file photo. Tennessee fired Pruitt Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. (Randy Sartin/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, Pool, File)

Jan. 18, 2021 12:56 PM EST
FILE - Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt calls out to his players during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn in Aubuen, Ala., in this Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in file photo. Tennessee fired Pruitt Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)

FILE - Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt calls out to his players during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn in Aubuen, Ala., in this Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in file photo. Tennessee fired Pruitt Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)

Jan. 18, 2021 12:59 PM EST
University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd speaks during a press conference in Knoxville, Tenn., Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, as school chancellor Donde Plowman, center, and athletic director Phillip Fulmer, left, look on. Tennessee has fired football coach Jeremy Pruitt, two assistants and seven members of the Volunteers' recruiting and support staff for cause after an internal investigation found what the university chancellor called “serious violations of NCAA rules.” (Brianna Paciorka/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)

University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd speaks during a press conference in Knoxville, Tenn., Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, as school chancellor Donde Plowman, center, and athletic director Phillip Fulmer, left, look on. Tennessee has fired football coach Jeremy Pruitt, two assistants and seven members of the Volunteers' recruiting and support staff for cause after an internal investigation found what the university chancellor called “serious violations of NCAA rules.” (Brianna Paciorka/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)

Jan. 18, 2021 04:29 PM EST