Jeremy Pruitt Eyed for Maryland Defensive Staff Role Amid NCAA Show-Cause Cloud
Jeremy Pruitt may be inching closer to a return to college football. According to reports, Maryland head coach Mike Locksley is targeting the former Tennessee head coach for a key defensive assistant role on the Terrapins’ staff. It’s a surprising development, given Pruitt’s rocky exit from Knoxville and his ongoing NCAA show-cause penalty.
Let’s unpack how this could actually happen-and why Maryland might be willing to take the risk.
A Complicated Past
Pruitt’s time at Tennessee ended in 2021 under a cloud of NCAA violations, with the university firing him for cause due to recruiting improprieties. The fallout led to a multi-year show-cause penalty, effectively freezing his college coaching career. Since then, he’s been out of the collegiate spotlight, including a brief and forgettable stint with the 2021 New York Giants.
But now, with Locksley under pressure to turn things around in College Park, Maryland appears ready to explore every option-including one that comes with plenty of baggage.
Why Now?
The timing is curious, but not entirely out of left field. The NCAA’s enforcement power has waned in recent years, especially in the wake of high-profile cases that have drawn criticism for inconsistency and lack of clarity. That’s opened the door for programs to take calculated risks on coaches like Pruitt, who bring both experience and controversy to the table.
From Maryland’s perspective, this is about winning now. The Terps have struggled to gain traction in the Big Ten, and Locksley knows he needs a big year to solidify his standing. Bringing in a defensive mind like Pruitt-who’s coached at Alabama, Georgia, and Florida State-could provide a jolt to a unit that’s lacked consistency.
The Alabama Connection
There’s also a deeper connection here. Both Locksley and Pruitt spent time on Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama, and that shared background likely plays a role in this potential reunion. Coaches from the Saban tree often lean on each other when looking to rebuild or reboot their careers, and this move fits that mold.
Pruitt’s track record as a defensive coordinator is well established. Before his time at Tennessee, he helped lead dominant defenses at Alabama and Georgia. The question isn’t whether he can coach-it’s whether the program can navigate the NCAA red tape and public scrutiny that would come with his hire.
What’s at Stake for Maryland?
This would be a high-risk, high-reward move for Maryland. On one hand, Pruitt brings a wealth of SEC-level experience and a defensive pedigree that few available coaches can match. On the other, his presence would invite questions about the program’s values and its willingness to look past a coach’s history in pursuit of wins.
Still, in today’s college football landscape-where NIL, the transfer portal, and shifting conference dynamics dominate the headlines-programs are increasingly willing to roll the dice if it means gaining a competitive edge.
Where Things Stand
Nothing is official yet, and Maryland would need to clear several hurdles to bring Pruitt aboard, including compliance reviews and likely discussions with the NCAA. But the interest is real, and the possibility is on the table.
If the Terrapins do move forward, it would mark Pruitt’s first return to the college sidelines since his Tennessee tenure ended nearly five years ago. His record in Knoxville-16-19 overall, with 11 wins later vacated-doesn’t jump off the page, but his defensive acumen is not in doubt.
Final Thoughts
If Jeremy Pruitt ends up on Maryland’s staff, it’ll be one of the more intriguing hires of the offseason. It’s a move that reflects both the urgency in College Park and the evolving nature of college football’s disciplinary landscape.
For Pruitt, it’s a shot at redemption. For Maryland, it’s a bet that talent and experience can outweigh controversy-at least for now.