Text message alleges that Jeremy Pruitt had knowledge of recruiting violations
A text message sent by former Tennessee Vols recruiting director Bethany Gunn to former UT assistant coach Shelton Felton shows that former head coach Jeremy Pruitt was in the know about recruiting violations that went down under his watch. The Knoxville News Sentinel Adam Sparks reported on Friday that Felton sent a text to Gunn […]
A text message sent by former Tennessee Vols recruiting director Bethany Gunn to former UT assistant coach Shelton Felton shows that former head coach Jeremy Pruitt was in the know about recruiting violations that went down under his watch.
The Knoxville News Sentinel Adam Sparks reported on Friday that Felton sent a text to Gunn that read "“Pruitt about to call you. I told him you had it all set up.”
According to Sparks, the text was in reference to "paying for accommodations and entertainment for a recruit on a visit".
Gunn responded to the text saying, "Coaxh [sic] is up to speed."
That message seems to indicate that Pruitt was aware of the shady recruiting practices that happened while he was the head coach at Tennessee.
On Friday, the NCAA hit Tennessee with punishments that includes further scholarship reductions (10 more over the next five years to bring the total to 28), a reduction of 36 official visits over the next five years, and an $8 million fine. The Vols will NOT face a bowl ban as part of the penalties.
Sparks' report on Friday includes numerous other text messages exchanged between coaches and staffers. I highly recommend checking out his report as it provides insight on the environment and culture during Pruitt's tenure as the head coach at UT.
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Featured image via Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel via Imagn Content Services, LLC
