By Ron Wynn
NASHVILLE, TN — The Tennessee Volunteers didn’t get the ultimate penalties of a bowl ban or program suspension, but they received some of the stiffest penalties possible from the NCAA for recruiting violations.
The announcement was made last week.
The NCAA is vacating all 11 wins from the 2019 and 2020 seasons accumulated during the tenure of Jeremy Pruitt. The school was hit with a record $8 million fine. They were also placed on five years probation and also have scholarships reduced by 28 players.
An ESPN report says the NCAA deemed that UT used 16 ineligible players during 2019 and 2020 games.
The NCAA said there were more than 200 infractions committed over Pruitt’s three-year reign.
The new results means Tennessee’s record is 0-5 in 2019 and 0-7 in 2020. Pruitt ended at 5-19 officially.
ESPN added some players who have transferred have regained eligibility by being granted immunity and cooperating with the NCAA. Pruitt received a six-year show-cause penalty.
He has not coached in college since being fired for cause at the end of the 2020 season. Pruitt declined comment. He did not receive any of his $12.6 million buyout.
Tennessee was charged with 18 Level 1 violations last July. Those are the most severe in the current structure.