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Tennessee Vols: Updated Jeremy Pruitt Staff Projection

By Zach Ragan

ATLANTA - DECEMBER 31: The Tennessee Volunteers drum major leads the band on the field before the Chick-Fil-A Bowl against the Virginia Tech Hokies at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Hokies beat the Volunteers 37-14. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA - DECEMBER 31: The Tennessee Volunteers drum major leads the band on the field before the Chick-Fil-A Bowl against the Virginia Tech Hokies at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Hokies beat the Volunteers 37-14. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /
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The Tennessee Vols are working to finalize a deal that will make Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt the new head coach at UT.

It looks like Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt will be the new head coach for the Tennessee Vols.

Multiple reports confirmed on Wednesday night that Tennessee is working to finalize a deal to bring Pruitt to Knoxville.

If Pruitt ends up being the Vols’ next coach, his staff will be an important part of his success.

We took a guess on Tuesday at what his staff could look like, but these things tend to be fluid.

ESPN reported on Wednesday night that former Vol quarterback Tee Martin is expected to remain at USC as the Trojans’ offensive coordinator. There were multiple rumors swirling this week that he was returning to Tennessee regardless of who was hired, but it doesn’t look like that will be happening.

Anyway, here’s what we think Pruitt’s staff could look like at Tennessee.

Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks — Chip Lindsey

Lindsey is currently the offensive coordinator at Auburn, but he has a relationship with Pruitt that dates back to their high school coaching days. I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see him make the jump to Tennessee with Pruitt.

It would definitely be fun to see Gus Malzahn’s offense installed at UT.

Running backs/recruiting coordinator — Robert Gillespie

Gillespie is one of the best running backs coaches in the nation. Pruitt would be extremely wise to keep him around. It would also help with the staff transition — especially in the area of recruiting.

Wide receivers/co-offenisve coordinator — Bryan McClendon

McClendon is currently the interim offensive coordinator at South Carolina, but it looks like Will Muschamp is planning to hire a new offensive coordinator after the Gamecocks’ bowl game. McClendon was on staff with Pruitt at Georgia.

Offensive line/assistant head coach — Will Friend

It won’t be easy to get Will Friend away from Mike Bobo at Colorado State (Friend makes over $500,000 as the Rams’ offensive coordinator), but Pruitt is the one guy that might be able to get it done.

Pruitt and Friend have been friends for a long time (since their playing days at Alabama) and they were on staff together at Georgia.

Tight ends/special teams — Brendan Farrell

Farrell is currently on Alabama’s staff as an offensive analyst. He was previously a tight ends coach/special teams coordinator at Northwestern State.

Defensive coordinator/outside linebackers — Kevin Sherrer

Kevin Sherrer was the defensive coordinator at South Alabama in 2013, before joining Georgia’s staff (with Pruitt) in 2014 as a defensive assistant. He currently serves as the Bulldogs’ linebackers coach.

Inside linebackers– Mike Ekeler

Ekeler, a former graduate assistant under Les Miles at LSU, is currently a linebackers coach at North Carolina. He was the defensive coordinator at North Texas in 2016.

Pruitt and Ekeler were on staff together at Georgia from 2014-15.

Defensive line — Chris Rumph

Rumph and Pruitt were on staff together from 2011-12 at Alabama. In 2014, Rumph joined Texas’s staff, before heading to Gainesville to join Florida’s staff.

When Randy Shannon was named interim head coach at Florida this season, Rumph was named interim defensive coordinator.

Since Rumph is likely looking for a job with the head coaching change Florida, it makes perfect sense that he’d join Pruitt at Tennessee.

Defensive backs — Wes Neighbors

Neighbors is currently a defensive analyst at Alabama. He played at Alabama from 2008-12 (which means Pruitt coached him).

I could also see Pruitt possibly reaching out to former Vol Terry Fair, who is currently on staff at Colorado State (which would be a better move).

It’s also worth noting that teams will have a tenth assistant beginning next year. It’s unclear, however, how coaches will choose to use that tenth spot.

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