Multiple reports indicated that new Tennessee athletic director Phillip Fulmer had narrowed down his coaching search to three SEC defensive coordinators this week.
Videos by FanBuzz
Now it seems that he may have found his man.
Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt has reportedly emerged as the favorite to land the Tennessee head coaching job, according to Yahoo Sports' Pete Thamel.
Source: Alabama DC Jeremy Pruitt has emerged as the leading candidate at Tennessee.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 7, 2017
Sports Illustrated's Bruce Feldman also reported that Pruitt was a top candidate for the Vols' coaching vacancy on Wednesday and noted the coordinator's value to the Crimson Tide's success beyond defensive play calling.
Re: #Tennessee coaching search: Thing I’ve heard quite bit this week regarding Jeremy Pruitt is his value at #Alabama goes well beyond being just an excellent DC w/ schemes, he’s someone Saban really counts on to help set the tone in development & recruiting.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 7, 2017
The Vols have also reportedly met with Georgia defensive coordinator Mel Tucker, as well as former Tennessee linebacker and current Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele regarding the position this week.
Pruitt, an Alabama alum, has served as the Crimson Tide's defensive coordinator during the past two seasons after having previously held the same position at Georgia (2014-15) and Florida State (2013), where he helped lead the Seminoles to a national championship.
The 43-year-old assistant had also previously worked for the Tide as a defensive assistant from 2007-12 and as a graduate assistant in 1997, as well as a high school assistant throughout the state of Alabama from 1998-2006.
