Pete Thamel on Alabama hiring Jeremy Pruitt as next DC: It would be very difficult to see Pruitt again if found guilty

The Alabama Crimson Tide are in search of a new defensive coordinator as they head into the offseason. One of the names that keep popping up as a possible replacement for former Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Pete Golding is former Tennessee Volunteers head coach Jeremy Pruitt. Unfortunately for Alabama fans, ESPN’s Pete Thamel is leery of connecting Pruitt to the program’s vacancy. On a recent appearance on the Paul Finebaum Show, the college football expert explained his stance.

“Without clarity from the NCAA case, Paul, it’s impossible to say exactly. But I will say this, just generally speaking about the evolution of NCAA punishments. So what we’ve seen in the past three or four years is hesitancy for the NCAA — be it the miserable failure of the AARP or the enforcement staff to punish programs, meaning to give bowl bans — to punish players who weren’t there, didn’t benefit from the violations. I think the natural knee-jerk reaction off of that is to further punish the coaches who were implicated and involved,” opened Thamel.

Pruitt left Tennessee after his third season as the Volunteers’ head coach under much scrutiny. An NCAA investigation revealed that under Pruitt’s watch, the Volunteers program possibly committed a significant amount of level-one violations. One of which the former Tennessee headman admitted to was giving an undisclosed player’s family member cash inside of a fast food bag.

More from Thamel on Pruitt

After leaving Tennessee, Pruitt spent last season as a senior defensive assistant for the New York Giants. And during this past season, Pruitt flew under the radar, electing to take time away from the game. Still, given his connections with Alabama and being a former member of Nick Saban‘s coaching staff for multiple national championships, it is understandable why fans would want to see him return. But they will likely have to wait until the smoke clears from this NCAA investigation to even consider hiring Pruitt, which will not happen anytime soon.

“The charges leveled against Tennesse, I think it’s what 17, 18 level one violations, somewhere in that neighborhood. It’s an astounding amount. If the NCAA case unfolds and they find Tennessee guilty of a fraction of those level-one violations; it’d be really difficult, even in this environment where NCAA enforcement is just brushed past like a bug on the windshield. I think it would be very difficult to see Pruitt, again if found guilty. I just find it difficult to believe he would get a slap on the wrist and be rolled back in, especially before the case unfolds.”