The General's Quarters
Football War Room 1-15-2021....
We begin this edition of the War Room as we always do. The War Room is a collective effort of notes and news gathered throughout the week by Brent, Rob, and Austin that is located only on the General's Quarters. And now, it's on with the news.
The wait continues with the Tennessee football program as attorneys Michael Glazier and Kyle Skillman have spent the week interviewing multiple Vol coaches including Jeremy Pruitt on Thursday as a part of their investigation.
Pruitt began his interview just after lunch and it lasted past 8 pm on Thursday night. The thought is that this week essentially wrapped up the interview part of the investigation. Typically, Glazier’s group writes up their findings in a report, gives the University their recommendations then that’s all from them.
Tennessee’s General Counsel has been aware of the findings as the investigation started in November. The question now is how significant are the findings, who all is included in those findings and what’s the University’s response to them? Obviously, they have found things. No one you talk to disputes that.
While that has been going on this week, University Chancellor Donde Plowman approved the hiring of Kevin Steele to the football program. The timing is obviously interesting in terms of what does it mean in regards to Pruitt and why would Steele choose this job over other options he had? Steele is a Tennessee grad, knows the program and obviously feels an attachment to the Vols to the point he wants to try and help. We will see what it means in regards to Pruitt.
Two weeks ago, I would have said Pruitt being allowed to hire someone means he’s back. That doesn’t seem nearly as obvious this week. What we do know is that Pruitt was the one who contacted Steele about coming back to Rocky Top and wants him here. Steele most certainly spoke with his friend Phillip Fulmer as well, but the push for Steele and the push to get the hire made was started by Pruitt. The two have been longtime friends. Tennessee formally offered Steele the job last weekend and they worked out the details finishing it up on Tuesday. Steele will arrive in Knoxville in the next couple of days.
Vol players are expected to be back in town this weekend and a team meeting is scheduled for early next week. The meeting has been scheduled since the start date of the spring semester was established. One player we will be watching to see if he makes it back to Knoxville is Henry To’o To’o. Henry loves Knoxville but the temperature around the program has pushed some people close to Henry to give things a long look and ponder if this makes the most sense for him going forward.
The biggest question surrounding the players is who all is returning? Since December 1st, 10 scholarship players have entered the portal. The biggest name was Wanya Morris who went in on Wednesday. Shawn Shamburger went into the portal but removed his name from it this week. Oklahoma is thought to be the favorite for landing Morris. Morris still has the option to return, but as of now that would appear to be a long shot.
Will more Vols go into the portal in the coming days? We will definitely keep a close eye on the portal and Tennessee will continue to work to try and keep their roster together which is why Steele has been or will be talking to defensive guys. And we will see who comes to town and who doesn’t in the next four days as classes are set to start on January 20th.
Tennessee is in he market for a defensive line coach and an offensive line coach. Now former Auburn defensive line coach Rodney Garner makes a ton of sense. Garner and Steele are obviously close. Pruitt has tons of respect for Garner as a coach and a recruiter. As for the offensive line coach, Tennessee has interviewed a handful of candidates. This week they interviewed Lee Grimes who was at Charlotte and is now at Kansas.
Hubbs