Tennessee football head coach search updated: Jeremy Pruitt named Top Volunteer

The head coach search is taking Tennessee football fans on a roller coaster ride. With three elite SEC defensive coordinators in the driver’s seat, the ride may soon be over.

UPDATE: Jeremy Pruitt is the new Volunteer head football coach

After receiving a second interview, Pruitt’s name quickly climbed to the top of the list of possible candidates. Some speculation continues that Tee Martin, the beloved former Volunteer quarterback of the 1998 National Champion team may leave his position as offensive coordinator at Southern Cal for the same position at  Tennessee. Reports are he will not.

Sources report hourly that a decision is imminent, but there is no rushing the Tennessee football head coaching search. Three elite Southeastern Conference defensive coordinators are now the focus of the latest speculation. All have great defensive resumes and have worked in elite college programs. But there are differences in the trio Tennessee Athletic Director Phil Fulmer will consider.

Jeremy Pruitt

Jeremy Pruitt, Alabama’s current defensive coordinator, is receiving a second interview. Pruitt’s resume includes experience as a high school coach and deep ties to the Alabama high school football community.

Pruitt played for and coached for his dad, Dale Pruitt, at Plainville High School in Alabama. He was Alabama’s Hoover High School defensive coordinator in 2006. While there, he also played a bit part in “Two a Days.” The MTV series chronicled the football program at Hoover which aired on 2006 and 2007.

Pruitt also began his has coaching career as a graduate assistant at Alabama. He has coached exclusively in the Southeast.

Pruitt’s resume includes a national championship at Florida State in 2013 as defensive coordinator, two years as defensive coordinator for Mark Richt at Georgia, and two years as Nick Saban’s defensive coordinator at  Alabama.

What would Tennessee football get in Pruitt?

Pruitt is a young coach and a Nick Saban disciple. He knows high school football and knows high school football people.

Kevin Steele

Each day brings news and speculations, but Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele remains most likely to be named Tennessee head coach.

While Steel was a flop as a head coach at Baylor from 1999-2002, he has since coached under Bobby Bowden, Nick Saban, Dabo Swinney, Les Miles and Gus Malzahn. Before serving as Baylor head coach, he coached under Tom Osborne at Nebraska.

Steele’s most significant resume line may be his last; Steele played at Tennessee. He is part of the Tennessee family and would unite the warring factions of Tennessee football stakeholders.

What would Tennessee football get in Steel?

Steele has worked for many successful head coaches and was himself a head coach. Steele played as a Volunteer. Blood is thicker than water, and Steele could quickly unite the fractured Tennessee family of stakeholders and fans.

Mel Tucker

Georgia football fans are chewing on their finger nails.

In the midst of a deep national championship run, Georgia defensive coordinator Mel Tucker appears to also be a finalist for the Tennessee football head coach position.

Tucker’s resume includes a decade of NFL coaching experience as a defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears. After one season at Alabama, he joined Kirby Smart at Georgia.

Georgia ranks number four in the country in total defense and is tied for third-best total points in  the country at 13.2 per game.

What would Tennessee football get in Tucker?

Tucker is a young coach with extensive NFL experience.

Next: Gus Malzahn Stays at Auburn

Phil Fulmer and Tennessee are on the clock. There are two remaining weekends before college football’s early signing period begins on December 20. Tennessee football can stand a little turmoil, but only if it has players.