Tennessee Notice of Allegations: Detailing the wildest infractions committed by Jeremy Pruitt, wife
The NCAA handed down a lengthy (perhaps the lengthiest ever) list of violations to the Tennessee football program on Friday. The NCAA’s report, obtained by KnoxNews, details 18 total infractions, committed by former head coach Jeremy Pruitt, his wife, members of the staff and/or boosters.
Nine of the 18 allegations involved Tennessee personnel providing impressible benefits to recruits and/or recruits’ families. Seven more allege violations of the NCAA’s ethical conduct, including three incidents of former staff providing false or misleading information. The final two allegations involve Pruitt’s failure to conduct his duties and the university’s failure to monitor the program.
All of the involved personnel, including staff, involved student-athletes, and even AD Phillip Fulmer, are no longer members of the Tennessee program. The university fully cooperated with the NCAA’s inquiry and it conducted an independent investigation as well.
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Here’s a look at some of the wildest allegations listed in the NCAA’s report.
Pruitt, wife provided rent, car payments
The NCAA alleges Pruitt and his staff hosted at least six prospects and their families on nine unofficial visits during the COVID dead period. Their lodging, meals, transportation, household goods and even furniture totaled $12,000. Pruitt reportedly made cash payments of $3,000 and $6,000 to two prospects’ mothers, the first used to assist in medical bills and the other for a downpayment on a vehicle.
The report also details that his wife, Casey Pruitt, paid more than $15,000 in rent and car payments for a Tennessee player and his mother. That arrangement reportedly went on for two and a half years. Pruitt’s wife used to work in the compliance office at Troy and Florida State.
More allegations involve Casey Pruitt arranging rental home tours in Knoxville for a recruit’s mother. That incident includes a $1,600 security deposit and first month’s rent.
As for players already on campus, the NCAA accuses Pruitt and staff of paying seven players $1,300 to host prospects during the dead period.
Assistants arrange, pay for recruiting visits
Also named in the NCAA’s Level I violations against Tennessee are assistant coaches Derrick Ansley, Shelton Felton and Brian Niedermeyer. Recruiting staff members Drew Hughes, Bethany Gunn and Chantryce Boone are also in the report.
Among the allegations against the assistants are payments for nail salon treatments and $270 for entertainment at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.
During Pruitt’s tenure, a report surfaced about Tennessee recruits getting McDonald’s bags full of money from assistants. The NCAA’s allegations do mention an incident with the fast food chain. Coaches “arranged and/or provided approximately $255 in impermissible meals from McDonald’s,” as well as Tennessee-branded hoodies and sweatshirts.
Tennessee AD Danny White issued a statement following the program’s notification of the allegations.