Former Tennessee coach and one-time Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt is seeking a preliminary injunction from an Alabama judge that if granted would prevent the NCAA from enforcing its “show cause” order against him.
Pruitt’s attorneys wrote in the October 17 court motion that Pruitt has been “approached about coaching opportunities at multiple colleges and universities, at least two of which are in the State of Alabama, only to be ultimately turned down as a result of the NCAA’s actions,” and further revealed Jacksonville State has been attempting to hire Pruitt as an analyst.
Jacksonville State coach Charles Kelly worked under Pruitt at Tennessee in 2018 and both coaches have deep ties within the state of Alabama.
Pruitt sued the NCAA in March, almost two years after being penalized by the NCAA with a six-year “show cause” order for infractions the NCAA ruled he committed as the Volunteers’ coach. The penalty also included a one-year suspension for any school hiring Pruitt.
DeKalb County judge Andrew Hairston on Friday ordered Pruitt’s case with the NCAA be sent to mediation, with Birmingham attorney Mark White set to mediate the case. The judge delayed any court proceedings in DeKalb County for 60 days pending the mediation.
Pruitt in early October amended his lawsuit against the NCAA, which seeks $100 million in lost wages after his firing by Tennessee, to include a letter from Jacksonville State president Don Killingsworth and athletics director Greg Seitz to the NCAA’s committee on infractions dated June 24, 2025.
The letter from Jacksonville State stated the school’s desire to “retain Jeremy Pruitt as an analyst for our football program for the 2025 season,” while “respectfully ask[ing] the NCAA for approval to hire Mr. Pruitt without additional penalties or restrictions to the University, other than those specified in this letter.”
The five-page letter outlined the school’s reasons for hiring Pruitt, and noted he would work virtually “up to 50% of the time” in a consulting role, including film breakdown and offering input to the defensive staff. The school said it would respect the NCAA’s suspension by suspending Pruitt the day of any game, including preventing him from traveling to games.
Pruitt’s attorneys also filed a response letter from the NCAA’s committee on infractions dated September 12, 2025, which stated the committee would hold a show-cause hearing to discuss the request. The document proposed a late October hearing date.
The NCAA’s response letter to Jacksonville State told the school it needed to address how it would “monitor Mr. Pruitt in this partially remote position,” and said it sought clarification on any restrictions the school would place on Pruitt in the remaining years of his show-cause order. The NCAA also asked for a written statement from Pruitt.
Pruitt’s filing October 17 stated the NCAA had yet to grant Jacksonville State permission to hire Pruitt in the analyst role.
The NCAA in July motioned to dismiss Pruitt’s lawsuit. Pruitt’s attorneys objected to the motion in an October 10 filing.
Pruitt, 51, is a native of Rainsville, Alabama and has coached at Plainview High School following his firing by Tennessee. His son, Jayse Pruitt, formerly played quarterback Jacksonville State.
