Search is over: Tennessee hires Pruitt

UGA’s Sherrer might take Vols’ defensive coordinator job.

Tennessee hired Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt as its coach, capping a tumultuous search that cost an athletic director his job as the Volunteers attempt to recover from one of their most disappointing seasons.

Pruitt agreed to a six-year deal that will pay him $3.8 million annually plus various benefits such as an expense allowance and additional money for summer camp.

Pruitt’s hiring comes six days after former Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer was named athletic director and put in charge of the coaching search. Fulmer took over for John Currie, who was suspended just eight months into the job as Tennessee investigates whether it can fire him for cause.

Pruitt replaces Butch Jones, who was fired Nov. 12 after going 34-27 overall and 14-24 in SEC competition in five seasons. Tennessee went 4-8 this season and set a school record for losses.

Georgia assistant coach Kevin Sherrer, the only holdover from Mark Richt’s final coaching staff at Georgia, is set to become the defensive coordinator for Pruitt, according to Sports Illustrated’s Bruce Feldman. The news has not been immediately confirmed by head coach Kirby Smart or the team.

Oregon State: Former Beavers coach Mike Riley was named an assistant on new coach Jonathan Smith’s staff on Thursday. Most recently head coach at Nebraska, Riley was coach at Oregon State twice, from 1997-98 and 2003-14. He will serve as an assistant head coach with a “to-be-determined” position assignment under Smith. Nebraska dismissed Riley last month after three seasons. The Cornhuskers finished this season 4-8 for the program’s fewest wins since going 3-6-1 in 1961. Riley was 19-19 overall with the Huskers and lost 12 of the last 18.

Pac-12: Stanford’s Bryce Love was named Associated Press All-Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year by unanimous vote, and also earned first-team honors at running back. It was the latest of many honors this season for the junior, who is one of three finalists for the Heisman Trophy. Love is averaging 164.4 yards a game, tops among Power Five running backs. He’s averaging 8.3 yards per carry, has 17 touchdowns and set the FBS record with 12 runs of at least 50 yards this season. He ran for 1,973 total yards this season. Among the other top AP honors: USC’s Clay Helton was named Coach of the Year, Washington State’s Hercules Mata’afa was named Defensive Player of the Year, and Arizona’s Khalil Tate was named Newcomer of the Year.

Jeremy Pruitt agreed to a six-year deal with Tennessee.