Phillip Fulmer
FILE - Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt watches during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Florida in Knoxville, Tenn., in this Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, file photo. Tennessee is defending itself the Level I charge of failing to monitor the football program, saying former coach Jeremy Pruitt and nine others fired “repeatedly deceived” administrators and compliance staff overseeing the football program. (Randy Sartin/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, File)
Vols' response to NCAA: Pruitt, staff 'deceived' monitors

By Teresa M. Walker Nov. 24, 2022 01:55 PM EST

Vanderbilt punter Jared Wheatley (30) celebrates after Vanderbilt beat Florida 31-24 in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
No. 9 Tennessee eyes 10-win season in visit to Vanderbilt

By The Associated Press Nov. 23, 2022 05:00 AM EST

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
High-flying Vols visit South Carolina with eye on CFP

By The Associated Press Nov. 17, 2022 05:10 AM EST

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel watches play on the Jumbotron during the second half of an NCAA college football game against the Tennessee Martin Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. Tennessee won 65-24. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Column: Welcome back, Rocky Top, from a 15-year exile

By Paul Newberry Nov. 04, 2022 12:42 PM EDT

Tennessee fans tear down the goal post after defeating Alabama 52-49 in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
No. 3 Tennessee revival has Vol faithful believing like 1998

By Teresa M. Walker Oct. 23, 2022 12:28 PM EDT

South Carolina coach Shane Beamer celebrates after a touchdown and extra point against Texas A&M during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr.)
South Carolina rides fast start to 30-24 win over Texas A&M

By Jeffrey Collins Oct. 22, 2022 11:20 PM EDT

Alabama head coach Nick Saban watches his team during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
SEC East's surge threatens No. 1 Georgia's hopes to repeat

By Charles Odum Oct. 19, 2022 10:36 AM EDT

FILE - Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin is shown during the Tigers' loss to LSU in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Auburn, Ala. Harsin was selected hottest seat in the Associated Press SEC Midseason Awards, Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Heupel, Anderson, Hooker headline AP's SEC midseason awards

By John Zenor Oct. 12, 2022 02:48 PM EDT

FILE - Then-Tennessee NCAA college football head coach Jeremy Pruitt speaks during Southeastern Conference Media Days in Atlanta, July 18, 2018. The NCAA on Friday, July 22, 2022, charged Tennessee with 18 recruiting violations involving allegations of illegal cash, gifts and benefits given under fired football coach Jeremy Pruitt.(AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
NCAA charges Tennessee with 18 major violations under Pruitt

Teresa M. Walker Jul. 22, 2022 03:22 PM EDT

Florida safety Trey Dean III, right, is called for pass interference as he hits Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Sing, dance? Mullen would do anything to pack Swamp vs Vols

By Mark Long Sep. 23, 2021 10:41 AM EDT

New Tennessee NCAA college football head coach Josh Heupel, left, shakes hands with University of Tennessee athletics director Danny White after being presented a jersey speaks during an introductory press conference at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. (Caitie McLekin/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, Pool)
New Tennessee football coach Heupel brings 3 UCF assistants

Feb. 15, 2021 04:49 PM EST

New Tennessee NCAA college football head coach Josh Heupel is shown after arriving in Knoxville, Tenn., Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. New Tennessee athletic director Danny White announced Wednesday that he has hired Heupel as Tennessee’s 27th head coach overall. (Saul Young/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
NCAA probe is 'speed bump' to Vols' new coach Josh Heupel

By Teresa M. Walker Jan. 27, 2021 08:34 AM EST

University of Tennessee's new Director of Athletics Danny White speaks during a press conference announcing his hiring in Knoxville, Tenn., Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. (Caitie McMekin/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, Pool)
Vols' new AD plans to move quickly hiring new football coach

By Teresa M. Walker Jan. 22, 2021 03:23 PM EST

University of Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman speaks during a press conference in Knoxville, Tenn., Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, as Tennessee Athletic Director Phillip Fulmer looks on. Tennessee has fired football coach Jeremy Pruitt, two assistants and seven members of the Volunteers' recruiting and support staff for cause after an internal investigation found what the university chancellor called “serious violations of NCAA rules.” Chancellor Donde Plowman said Pruitt was responsible for overseeing the program. (Brianna Paciorka/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
Tennessee moves quickly, hires UCF's Danny White as new AD

By Teresa M. Walker Jan. 21, 2021 02:49 PM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 19, 2019, file photo, Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt yells at the officials during an NCAA college football game against Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Tennessee fired Pruitt Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
Tennessee fires Pruitt, 9 others for 'serious' NCAA issues

By Teresa M. Walker Jan. 18, 2021 01:39 PM EST

Miami head coach Manny Diaz of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Blacksburg, Va.(Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool)
Tennessee AD Fulmer, Miami coach Diaz isolating for virus

By Tim Reynolds Nov. 20, 2020 08:55 AM EST

Fans attending the NCAA college football game between Northern Illinois and Buffalo on Wednesday night, Nov. 4, 2020, in DeKalb, Ill., follow guidelines about mask-wearing and social distancing. (Mark Busch/Daily Chronicle via AP)
The Latest: Thai golfing sisters contract COVID-19

By The Associated Press Nov. 13, 2020 09:27 AM EST

Fans wearing protective face masks watch the Formula One Portuguese Grand Prix at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimao, Portugal, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. (Jose Sena Goulao, Pool via AP)
The Latest: Lions put Jalen Elliott on reserve/COVID-19 list

By The Associated Press Nov. 05, 2020 10:37 AM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 30, 2017, file photo, a checkered pattern of colors made by fans is seen at Neyland Stadium during an NCAA college football game between Georgia and Tennessee, in Knoxville, Tenn. Tennessee will be selling tickets for approximately 25% of the seats at Neyland Stadium this season, officials announced Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020. The Volunteers’ first home game is Oct. 3 against Missouri and university officials say restrictions could change during the season based on statewide virus data and recommendations from public health officials.(Michael Patrick/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, File)
The Latest: USA Luge to look for recruits only in New York

By The Associated Press Aug. 25, 2020 04:39 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 30, 2017, file photo, a checkered pattern of colors made by fans is seen at Neyland Stadium during an NCAA college football game between Georgia and Tennessee, in Knoxville, Tenn. Tennessee will be selling tickets for approximately 25% of the seats at Neyland Stadium this season, officials announced Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020. The Volunteers’ first home game is Oct. 3 against Missouri and university officials say restrictions could change during the season based on statewide virus data and recommendations from public health officials.(Michael Patrick/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, File)
Tennessee restricts tickets to about 25% of Neyland's seats

Aug. 25, 2020 09:47 AM EDT