Jeremy Pruitt Nearing Deal to Join Jets Coaching Staff
Former Tennessee Volunteers head coach and Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt is reportedly working on a deal to join the New York Jets coaching staff, according to Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports and The Athletic.
After some early speculation following his firing at Tennessee of Pruitt returning to Tuscaloosa, it appears that he instead will look to the NFL for his next coaching opportunity.
It has been a turbulent offseason for Pruitt, who was fired by Tennessee on Jan. 18 after an internal investigation by the university revealed evidence of recruiting violations. The accusations were damning indeed, with some reports claiming that recruits were being handed McDonald's bags full of cash by team officials and boosters.
These allegations combined with the Vols' struggle during Pruitt's tenure was enough for the university to feel that it was time to part ways.
Pruitt compiled a 16-19 record in his three seasons in Knoxville, going 5-7 in 2018 before taking a big step to an 8-5 record with a Gator Bowl victory over Indiana in 2019. In the 2020 season, however, Pruitt's Volunteers took a major step back, going 3-7 against this years' all SEC schedule.
Previously, Pruitt had served on Nick Saban's staff as defensive coordinator for two seasons, where the Tide's success on defense got him offered the Tennessee job. Pruitt has been a defensive coordinator at Georgia and Florida State as well.
The Jets fired former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams following Week 13 of the 2020 season after an all out blitz on one of the game's final plays allowed the speedy Henry Ruggs to easily beat the Jets secondary for a touchdown that cost the Jets their first win of the season.
It remains to be seen what role new Jets head coach Robert Saleh would bring Pruitt in as. Saleh, a defensive mind coming in from San Francisco will look to fill his defensive staff with qualified candidates, and Jeremy Pruitt is certainly one of them.
SEC Mascots
More From Tide 100.9
