Tennessee fires Pruitt, 9 others for ‘serious’ NCAA rule violations
The Tennessee football program is starting over yet again, this time after coach Jeremy Pruitt and nine others were fired Monday for cause when 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. Tennessee has been conducting an internal investigation since a tip Nov. 13 into allegations of recruiting violations.
Also fired were two assistants and seven members of the recruiting and support staff.
“While the investigation is continuing the information provided to us indicates serious violations of NCAA rules,” Plowman said. “They occurred. These serious infractions warrant immediate action.”
Among those fired Monday were inside linebackers coach Brian Niedermeyer and outside linebackers coach Shelton Felton, four members of the on-campus football recruiting staff, the director and assistant director of football player personnel and a football analyst/quality control coach.
The Volunteers went 3-7 last season. Pruitt’s firing means Tennessee will be looking for its fifth different coach since the Vols last won the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division title in 2007.
Attorneys from Bond, Shoeneck & King from Kansas were retained on Nov. 19 to assist the investigation and they updated Plowman, President Randy Boyd and athletic director Phillip Fulmer about the investigation Friday. MARSHALL OKS DEAL WITH HUFF » Marshall’s Board of
Governors approved a fouryear contract for new coach Charles Huff that will pay him $755,500 annually, plus incentives.
NFL
BUCS GET VEA BACK » The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have designated nose tackle Vita Vea to return from the reserve/injured list and the third-year pro is expected to resume practice ahead of Sunday’s NFC championship game at Green Bay.
Vea has been sidelined since breaking an ankle during a 20-19 loss at Chicago on Oct. 8. The Bucs (13-5) have a 21-day window to return the 6-foot-4, 347-pound tackle to the active roster.
College basketball
AURIEMMA SAYS NCAA TOURNEY NEEDED » UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma says playing an NCAA Tournament this year, at least on the men’s side, is a fiscal necessity for most schools.
The Hall of Famer was responding to comments by Baylor coach Kim Mulkey, who said she believes the college basketball season will continue despite the COVID-19 pandemic because of “the almighty
dollar.”
Auriemma said Mulkey is right, but he added he believes most players, coaches and school administrators also are in favor of completing the season.
“And those players that don’t want to play, don’t have to play,” he said. “And those coaches that don’t want to coach, don’t have to coach. But the reality of the situation is, if we don’t have a men’s basketball tournament for two years in a row, then a lot of things that we are used to having, you’re not going to have.” LOUISVILLE WOMEN RANKED NO. 1 » For the first time in school history, coach Jeff Walz has Louisville at No. 1 in the Associated Press women’s college basketball poll.
The Cardinals moved to the top spot, a day after previous No. 1 Stanford lost to Colorado. Louisville received 20 first-place votes from a 29-member national media panel. Its first game as No. 1 will be against Syracuse on Thursday. GONZAGA, BAYLOR STILL ON TOP » Gonzaga and Baylor maintained their grip on the top two spots in the Associated Press men’s basketball poll.
If third-ranked Villanova ever plays a game, perhaps it will make a run a them.
NBA
NUGGETS PORTER STILL OUT » The struggling Denver Nuggets are expected to be without Michael Porter Jr. for a 10th straight game Tuesday night against Oklahoma City because of coronavirus protocols.
Coach Michael Malone said after practice that Porter could join the team on their five-game trip that begins Friday in Phoenix. The Nuggets (6-7) can certainly use a lift from Porter. He’s averaging 19.5 points and 6.8 rebounds over four games.
MLB
BRADLEY JOINS PHILLIES » Archie Bradley ingratiated himself with fans immediately after finalizing a $6 million, one-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.
“SignJT,” Bradley wrote on Twitter.
The right-hander then expanded on his desire for the Phillies bring back twotime All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto.
Hockey
IIHF PULLS HOCKEY WORLDS FROM BELARUS » The hockey world championships were pulled from Belarus following pressure from opposition groups and a threatened boycott by sponsors.
The International Ice Hockey Federation cited safety concerns and said it will seek a new country to co-host the tournament with Latvia or host it on its own. The tournament is scheduled to start May 21.
Criticism of Belarus’ role as co-host grew after authoritarian president Alexander Lukashenko’s disputed re-election last year was followed by mass arrests at largely peaceful demonstrations.