TENNESSEE HIRES PRUITT
TENN.» Tennessee KNOXVILLE, hired Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt as its head 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’s hiring comes within a week of former Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer being 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 on Nov. 12 after going 34-27 overall and 14-24 in Southeastern Conference competition in five seasons. Tennessee went 4-8 this season and set a school record for losses.
Cristobal fits the bill.
Oregon assistant coach Mario Cristobal was officially promoted to head coach Friday, a year to the day after Willie Taggart was introduced.
Taggart bolted Tuesday for the top job at Florida State, and Cristobal — the co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach — was named interim coach for the Las Vegas Bowl. But after a groundswell of support from the Oregon players, that interim label was removed Friday.
The 47-year-old Cristobal becomes Oregon’s 34th head coach.
Cristobal joined Taggart’s staff just 11 months ago.
Condition halts career.
FLA.» Receiver GAINESVILLE,
James Robinson’s playing days are over at Florida because of a heart condition.
The Gators said the freshman, one of the state’s top recruits in February, will not be medically cleared to return. Florida did not provide details about Robinson’s diagnosis.
Florida spokesman Steve McClain said “after a thorough evaluation by doctors across the country and our medical staff, it has been determined that James Robinson will not be medically cleared to play football at the University of Florida.”
The Gators initially ruled Robinson out indefinitely in early September, saying an echocardiogram revealed a potential issue.
“Tubby” Raymond dies.
Legendary Delaware football coach Harold R. “Tubby” Raymond, the Hall of Famer who won 300 games and three national championships with the Blue Hens and was one of the innovators of the wing-T offense, died Friday after a brief illness.
Raymond was 92. In recent months, he had suffered complications from a leg injury.
Footnotes. Nebraska coach Scott Frost is bringing his entire on-field cadre of assistants with him from Central Florida. … Ryan Walters was promoted to Missouri’s defensive coordinator.