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an NCAA notice of allegations and the University of Tennessee’s response to the notice reveals that former Tennessee football head coach Jeremy Pruitt provided money to the mother of a volunteer football player in 2020. According to
Knoxville News Sentinel
, Mike Wilson, Notification and Response revealed that Pruitt met the player’s mother outside the intramural soccer facility in August 2020 and gave the Women’s $300 or $400 Chick-fil-A bags. Pruitt pleaded guilty to the violation in March 2022 when he told investigators he gave the woman money, Because “it’s human nature to do the right thing.” Pruitt fired Jan. 2021, Tennessee 7 Received NCAA notice of charges in May. NCAA claims Tennessee football team committed 18 violations and university failed to supervise Pruitt and his coaching staff. Seven of Pruitt’s assistants were also fired in January 2021. It is alleged that the player and his family received a total of $12,707 in impermissible benefits during the recruiting and while with the team. Player’s mother testifies to NCAA enforcement about April 2021 immunity, says Pruitt gave her $3,000 in January 2019 dollars so she could have hip surgery, but Pruitt refused to pay. Pruitt went 16-19 as head coach of Tennessee from 2018-2020 , and has only one winning season, going 8-5 in 2019. Tennessee hires former UCF head coach Josh Heupel after Pruitt firing, leading Vols to 7 wins in 2021 6 negative record. Tennessee has been in the College Football Playoff this season but lost to South Carolina 63-38 last week with a record Falling to 9-2. The Volunteers also lost quarterback and Heisman Trophy candidate Hendon Hooker to a torn ACL. NCAA not yet approved
Knoxville News sentinel.
