Former University of Tennessee head football coach Jeremy Pruitt has filed a $100 million lawsuit against the NCAA, alleging that he was unfairly scapegoated for recruiting violations that occurred before and during his tenure. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, claims the NCAA’s disciplinary actions were selective, damaging Pruitt’s reputation and career while allowing others involved to escape serious consequences.

 

Pruitt was fired by Tennessee in 2021 following an internal investigation that found multiple recruiting violations under his leadership. However, in his lawsuit, Pruitt contends that many of the infractions cited by the NCAA originated before his arrival in 2018 and involved staffers and administrators who were either retained or quietly reassigned. He also asserts that the university used him as a fall guy to avoid harsher penalties from the NCAA.

 

The former Alabama defensive coordinator argues that the NCAA violated its own procedures in the investigation process, denying him due process and failing to disclose key evidence that could have cleared his name. Pruitt’s legal team is demanding a public apology and full reinstatement of his professional standing, in addition to the monetary compensation.

 

“This was not a fair process,” Pruitt said in a statement. “The NCAA and the University of Tennessee worked together to end my career prematurely, while protecting the institution and others with far more responsibility for what took place.” The lawsuit also raises questions about the NCAA’s broader enforcement practices and consistency in punishing violations across different programs.

 

The NCAA has not yet commented on the lawsuit. Meanwhile, the case could have major implications for how college sports governing bodies investigate and discipline coaches going forward. Legal analysts expect the case to move forward in the coming months, potentially drawing testimony from key figures in the Tennessee athletic department and the NCAA’s infractions committee.