In 2021, former Tennessee Volunteers head coach Jeremy Pruitt was fired following allegations that he provided improper benefits to players. He was also handed a six-year show-cause penalty by the NCAA, effectively preventing him from being hired by another NCAA program during that period.
In short, Pruitt lost his job and was essentially blacklisted for six years. Now, he’s suing the NCAA for $100 million in lost wages, alleging wrongful termination.
Pruitt Claims NCAA Made Him a ‘Sacrificial Lamb’
As first reported by Yahoo Sports, Pruitt’s lawsuit claims the NCAA and the University of Tennessee conspired to make him a scapegoat. He says the program had already been violating NCAA rules before his arrival and that he reported those violations to then-athletic director Phillip Fulmer, who allegedly told him he would “handle it.”
Former Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt has sued the NCAA in DeKalb County, Alabama, claiming that the association “conspired with Tennessee” to make him the “sacrificial lamb” for rules violations resulting in his firing and a 6-year showcause.
He’s claiming $100M in lost wages. pic.twitter.com/H0b69vvAK5
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) March 27, 2025
Pruitt’s complaint argues that he was dismissed based on rules that were effectively invalidated by the U.S. Supreme Court the same year he was fired. The suit states: “The NCAA effectively established a tribunal designed to reach a predetermined conclusion: Jeremy would be blamed, the University of Tennessee would be commended, and UT would have cover for its decision to avoid paying Jeremy his just compensation.”
Pruitt was hired by Tennessee in 2017 and coached the Volunteers for three seasons. The team went 16-19 during his tenure, though the NCAA later vacated all wins from the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
Pruitt hasn’t coached since 2021. According to the lawsuit, he believes he lost out on more than $100 million in potential compensation as a result of the NCAA’s sanctions and his dismissal.
MORE: Nico Iamaleava Turns Into Tennessee’s Vocal Leader
It remains to be seen whether his lawsuit will succeed—or whether he’ll return to coaching—but it’s the latest twist in an already dramatic saga.
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