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Tennessee Football Receives Punishment, Avoids Bowl Ban

By Elliot Reeder

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 24: General view of the Tennessee Volunteers team running through the 'T' before the game against the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2022 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 38-33. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 24: General view of the Tennessee Volunteers team running through the 'T' before the game against the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2022 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 38-33. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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The NCAA announced it’s ruling and handed down punishments to the Tennessee football program on Friday morning, July 14th. The ruling comes at the conclusion of the NCAA’s investigation into the program under former head coach Jeremy Pruitt from 2018-2020. Included in the report was that Tennessee committed 18 level 1 violations, according to the NCAA. Tennessee had previously self-imposed punishments and was also credited by the NCAA for “exemplary cooperation”, which the NCAA said it weighed in deciding punishments.

Punishments include:

  • $8 million fine (plus other deductions in future potential revenue)
  • Deduction of 28 scholarships over five year period
  • Deduction of 36 official visits over five year period
  • Five year probation period
  • Deduction of 40 weeks worth of unofficial visits over five year period
  • Deduction of 28 weeks of recruiting communication over five year period
  • Deduction of 120 evaluation days over five year period
  • Six-year show-cause for former head coach Jeremy Pruitt
  • Several other show-causes for former staffers.

One of the biggest parts of the announcement was that Tennessee will not face a postseason ban. This is potentially a positive precedent moving forward from the NCAA, as it seems the NCAA is moving away from punishing current players for the actions of past coaches and players (the biggest complaint against postseason bans). It is also key for Tennessee as the Vols look to build off their 11-2 season and Orange Bowl victory in 2022.

Tennessee Football Receives Punishment, Avoids Bowl Ban

As previously mentioned, Tennessee had already begun self-imposing some punishments. Tennessee has been credited with already deducting 16 scholarships, meaning they now will deduct 12 more (16 self-imposed+12 new=the 28 scholarship deduction). Tennessee had also already self-imposed several recruiting deductions as well, those are also credited towards those punishments as well.

The $8 million fine was deemed by the NCAA to be the amount that Tennessee is projected to make if they make the postseason in 2023 and 2024. The fine is one of the largest ever according to Chris Low of ESPN.

Former Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt received a substantial individual punishment as well, as he was given a six-year show cause. Pruitt would be automatically suspended for the full first season if he is hired by a new school within that six year period, according to the NCAA.

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