I have read a lot of coachs' books, and the best two by far have been Saban and Spurriers. They both had such a clear vision and understanding of what they were going to do and how they wanted to do it. They found people that bought in and made it happen with them.
That is why a lot of coaching proteges fail. They don't have their own vision. They as re trying to recreate and it isn't possible to be the best at something you aren't.
Pruitt is probably a good man. I have never heard otherwise not with Butch or Dooley, but none of them did what they wanted. Butch was a walking fraud, Pruitt didn't know how to do it and is still trying to figure out how to be a HC, and Dooley is an awesome position Coach but never had the control over the program he wanted and couldn't handle this level. None were true selves and none of them will succeed. That is what I gear will happen if Tennessee doesn't get someone in that has the power and pull and experience. I would gladly see us hand someone a short term and high salary, even overpayment, to get a guy like that.