The Tennessee Vols fired Jeremy Pruitt as the program's head coach in late January after an internal investigation revealed numerous recruiting violations that occurred under Pruitt's watch.

Because Tennessee fired Pruitt with cause, the former UT head coach didn't receive any of the $12.6 million buyout he was owed.

"Your failure to promote and maintain an atmosphere of compliance and to monitor the activities of the coaches and staff members that report, directly or indirectly, to you has led to the current NCAA investigation and is bringing and will likely continue to bring the University into considerable public disrepute, embarrassment, contempt, scandal, and/or ridicule," said Tennessee chancellor Dr. Donde Plowman announcing Pruitt's firing.

On January 18, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported that Pruitt hired lawyer Michael Lyons in an attempt to recoup the $12.6 million buyout.

"We believe the decision to be the culmination of an orchestrated effort to renege on contractual promises made to Coach Pruitt upon his hiring in 2017 and reiterated less than five months ago," said Lyons in a statement.

"The timing of the University’s actions and decision appear to be preordained and more about financial convenience and expediency than a fair and complete factual determination by the University," added Lyons. "Moreover, it seems clear the recent leaks to the press are indicative of an interest to steer the narrative in a way that is desirable to the University to justify a decision likely made weeks ago."

It's been nearly four months since Pruitt hired Lyons.

So where do things stand in the battle for the buyout?

According to a report on Tuesday from Football Scoop's John Brice, Pruitt is still attempting to recoup a "large portion" of what he believes UT owes him.

"Sources have reaffirmed to FootballScoop that Pruitt, who retained outside counsel immediately after his termination, is seeking to recoup a large portion of the more than $12 million forfeited from his dismissal," wrote Brice.

On Tuesday, Brice reported that Tennessee parted ways with assistant athletics director for compliance Adam Tate.

Tate has worked for UT in compliance since 2018.

The investigation into the recruiting violations under Pruitt is still ongoing.

Brice reported that penalties are expected to include — at a minimum — scholarship losses, some recruiting restrictions, and at least a one-year bowl ban.

While Tennessee would certainly love a swift resolution to this whole ordeal, it appears the lingering impact from the violations that occurred under Pruitt isn't going away anytime soon.

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