Former Tennessee Coach Pruitt Sues NCAA for $100 Million

Jeremy Pruitt, the former head coach of Tennessee's football team, has filed a $100 million lawsuit against the NCAA, claiming he was unfairly punished for recruiting violations that preceded his tenure. Pruitt's complaint alleges that the NCAA conspired with the University of Tennessee to make him a 'sacrificial lamb' amid a broader culture of rule violations within the program. He was dismissed in January 2021 and subsequently received a six-year show-cause penalty after an investigation revealed over 200 infractions, including impermissible benefits to players. Pruitt contends that he reported previous violations to then-athletic director Phillip Fulmer, who allegedly said he would address the issues. He argues that the NCAA's actions against him were inconsistent with the evolving landscape of college athletics, particularly following the legalization of player benefits. This lawsuit marks a significant challenge to the NCAA's handling of compliance and enforcement actions within college sports.