Tennessee fires football coach Jeremy Pruitt

Jan. 18 (UPI) -- The University of Tennessee has fired football coach Jeremy Pruitt after three seasons.

Sources told ESPN, the Knoxville News Sentinel and The Athletic on Monday that Pruitt was fired after an internal investigation into alleged recruiting violations.

Tennessee has yet to announce the dismissal, but has a news conference planned for 3 p.m. EST on Monday. Tennessee athletic director Phillip Fulmer also is expected to retire from his role with the program.

Pruitt and the Volunteers had a 3-7 record in 2020. He had a 16-19 overall record during his tenure at Tennessee. The Volunteers went 5-7 in his first season in 2018 before an 8-5 campaign and Gator Bowl victory in 2019.

Tennessee signed Pruitt to a two-year contract extension in September. He signed a six-year contract when he was hired by the school in 2017.

Pruitt served as a defensive coordinator at Florida State, Georgia and Alabama before he accepted the Tennessee job. He had no previous experience as a head coach.