Tennessee ends coaching search
After nearly a onemonth search to replace fired head coach Butch Jones, Tennessee signed Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt to a six-year contract on Thursday.
Tennessee has 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 agreed to a sixyear 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 football 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.
Pac-12 will adjust scheduling
No Pac-12 football team that plays a Saturday road game will be required to play away from home again the following Friday in a revamped 2018 schedule.
Commissioner Larry Scott said Thursday that the Pac-12 Conference has discussed scheduling changes with its member universities to find a better solution for next season given concerns and scrutiny over the challenges of 2017.
Holiday Bowl-bound Washington State won a night game at Oregon on Oct. 7 then returned to the road and took a 37-3 thumping at California in Berkeley that following Friday, Oct. 13 — exactly the kind of issue the Pac-12 is looking to remedy.
Riley going back to Oregon State
Mike Riley, who was fired as head coach at Nebraska, is returning to Oregon State.
The former Beavers coach was named an assistant on new coach Jonathan Smith's staff on Thursday.
Riley was coach at Oregon State twice, from 1997-98 and 2003-14. He will serve as an assistant head coach with a "tobe-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.
Alabama State hires head coach
Alabama State has promoted assistant Donald Hill-Eley to head coach.
Eley was the Hornets' interim coach after Brian Jenkins was fired following a 0-5 start. He led Alabama State to five wins in their final six games, including a victory over rival Alabama A&M in the Magic City Classic.
South Alabama hires Central Arkansas coach
South Alabama has hired Central Arkansas coach Steve Campbell to lead its football program.
Athletic director Joel Erdmann announced the hire Thursday. Campbell replaces Joey Jones, who had been the program's only coach since its startup a decade ago.