Tennessee Vols: Potential Jeremy Pruitt Staff At UT
By Zach Ragan
It looks like Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt is a finalist for the Tennessee Vols’ vacant head coaching job.
The Tennessee Vols have reportedly narrowed their list of potential head coaches down to three SEC defensive coordinators — Jeremy Pruitt (Alabama), Mel Tucker (Georgia) and Kevin Steele (Auburn).
Of those three candidates, I think Pruitt is by far the best option. Pruitt’s had a lot of success as the Tide’s defensive coordinator and he’s one of the top recruiters in the nation.
If it does end up being Pruitt, he’ll have to put together a stellar staff.
Here’s what I think that staff could look like.
Offensive coordinator/wide receivers — Tee Martin
It feels like Tee Martin is destined to come back to Tennessee as an offensive coordinator. He’s done well at USC, though it’s unclear how much control of the offense he’s had. There’s no doubt, however, that Martin is one of the best recruiters in the nation.
Martin said earlier this year that Lane Kiffin is essentially running the USC offense at FAU. That would probably be what you could expect Martin to install at Tennessee.
Quarterbacks — Randy Sanders
It doesn’t appear that Randy Sanders will be making the transition to Texas A&M with Jimbo Fisher. It would make a lot of sense for him to join Martin with Pruitt at Tennessee. Sanders coached at Tennessee from 1989-2005. He coached Martin during that time and he also coached with Martin at Kentucky. Sanders was on the Florida State staff with Pruitt in 2013.
Having Sanders on staff would be a big help to Martin.
Running backs — Robert Gillespie
Whoever ends up coaching at Tennessee needs to make sure to retain Robert Gillespie. He’s a tremendous recruiter and he’s also had a lot of success developing running backs while on Rocky Top.
Offensive line — Neil Callaway
Callaway currently coaches with Martin at USC. He has plenty of experience in the SEC. He coached for 11 years at Auburn, three years at Alabama and six years at Georgia.
Martin bringing Callaway with him would give him some sort of staff continuity.
Tight ends/special teams — Bobby Williams
Bobby Williams is a long time Nick Saban assistant (at Michigan State, LSU, Miami Dolphins and Alabama), but he was recently moved to an off the field position with the Crimson Tide. He knows Pruitt well, so he might be willing to come to Tennessee to get back on the field.
Defensive coordinator — Kevin Sherrer
Sherrer is currently the linebackers coach at Georgia. Pruitt was on staff at Georgia with Sherrer.
The Alabama graduate has some defensive coordinator experience in his past — he was the defensive coordinator at South Alabama in 2013 (a team that nearly beat Tennessee at Neyland).
Linebackers — Mike Ekeler
Ekeler is currently the linebackers coach at North Carolina. He was on staff with Pruitt at Georgia. He was a graduate assistant under Les Miles at LSU from 2005-07.
Defensive line — Chris Rumph
Rumph most recently served as the Florida Gators’ defensive line coach (and interim defensive coordinator). He’s currently looking for a job. Rumph and Pruitt were on staff together at Alabama from 2011-12.
Defensive backs/assistant head coach — Derrick Ansley
Ansley, who was the defensive backs coach at Tennessee in 2012, is currently on staff with Pruitt at Alabama. I figure he’d be willing to go with Pruitt to Knoxville if he gets the assistant head coach designation.