The Tennessee Volunteers found out their punishment for Jeremy Pruitt's many violations, avoiding a bowl ban by picking up an $8 million fine.
Tennessee has been holding its collective breath over the investigation into widespread NCAA infractions that occurred under former head coach Jeremy Pruitt.
The Volunteers can now let that breath out in relief.
The sanctions have officially come down and the worst was avoided: No bowl ban for the Vols.
Pruitt and his staff were found to have committed 200 violations, including 18 Level 1 infractions. The head coach and his wife were found to have made impermissible cash payments of $60,000 to players' families.
Under other circumstances, a bowl ban would have been expected. However, the Volunteers cooperated with the NCAA investigation and self-imposed penalties.
Apparently in lieu of a postseason ban, the committee on infractions decided on an $8 million fine, which is "equivalent to the financial impact the school would have faced if it missed the postseason during the 2023 and 2024 seasons."
Tennessee penalties for NCAA infractions
- Five-years probation
- $8 million fine
- Reduction of 28 scholarships over five years
- 16-scholarship reduction self-imposed
- Loss of 36 official visits (at least four per year) over five years
- Limit of official visits to 10 regular-season games, four vs. SEC opponents over five years
- Loss of 40 unofficial visits by recruits for 40 weeks over five years
- Cease communication with recruits for 28 weeks over five years
- Vacated wins from the Jeremy Pruitt era
- Six-year show-cause order for Jeremy Pruitt
- One season suspension if hired by NCAA school
- Show-cause orders for ex-defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley, ex-director of recruiting Bethany Gunn and ex-assistant director of recruiting Chantryce Boone.
Considering the seriousness of the infractions committed by Pruitt, the Volunteers appear to have gotten off lucky.
This case is further proof of the first rule of dealing with the NCAA: Cooperate, cooperate and cooperate some more.