Imagining NCAA hearings with Jeremy Pruitt, Tennessee football as televised event | Toppmeyer

The camera zooms in on Jeremy Pruitt. He lifts an eyebrow and stares down the NCAA Committee on Infractions in a real-life courtroom-style drama that would make the “Law & Order” producers envious.

Now, that would be good television.

We can only imagine what that exchange must have been like this week during NCAA hearings in Cincinnati, which brought together the central figures in the NCAA’s investigation into how Tennessee football flouted recruiting and impermissible benefits rules during Pruitt’s tenure.

Oh, how I wish cameras had been permitted to document it all. It would have been more informative and compelling than anything showing on ESPN’s daytime programming this week, which included re-airings of spring games and the usual fare of talking heads.

Meanwhile, in Cincinnati, Tennessee officials and the Vols’ former football coach squared off with the NCAA’s infractions committee across two days.

Media weren't allowed inside the meetings, a shame for both transparency and television ratings. NCAA hearings like this one would outdo Court TV. Cue them up for the spring as the college sports calendar wanes: Fall is football season, winter is basketball season and spring is NCAA jousting season.

Had cameras been allowed inside the meeting room, Tennessee fans would have tuned in to watch Pruitt sweat as details unfolded from an NCAA investigation that spanned more than two years and featured Pruitt being fired for cause in 2021. Fans of other SEC teams could flip on the proceedings and partake in some schadenfreude, while the case proceeds toward possible sanctions.

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Alas, without televised coverage and with reporters and the public barred from observing the hearings, I can only imagine how it all unfolded.

Here’s where my imagination takes me …

Phillip Fulmer settles into his seat while cash from his retirement package bulges out of his pockets.

An NCAA infractions committee member begins to question Fulmer: Former athletics director Fulmer?

Silence.

Committee member: Mr. Fulmer?

More silence, as Fulmer fidgets with a whistle.

Committee member: Coach Fulmer?

Fulmer perks up: Present. The Vols are back!

Danny White puffs out his chest, mistaking Fulmer’s spontaneous exclamation as praise for his leadership.

Committee member: Be that as it may, how would you evaluate Jeremy Pruitt’s tenure?

Fulmer, after pausing to think: Certainly the recruiting was good.

Committee member: Hmm. Recruiting was good? Are you aware of why we're here today? Can you describe your knowledge of how Tennessee football operated under Jeremy Pruitt?

Fulmer: Didn’t I once say being Tennessee's AD is a breeze because I know where the bones are buried? That I know the good guys from the bad guys?

Committee member: You did say that. So…

Fulmer: Yeah, well, I had no idea about any of this. I was working like heck to improve Jeremy’s offensive line.

Committee member: As AD, you were focused on coaching the offensive line?

Fulmer: Did you see the offensive line before I got my hands on it? Thanks to me, we were making strides!

Jeremy Pruitt interjects: That’s true. We were closing the gap.

Danny White coughs and says under his breath: He lost 48-17 to Alabama.

Committee member: Did you say something, Mr. White?

White: Only that you can donate to the My All Campaign by visiting iwillgivemyall.com.

Committee member: Do you think this is the appropriate situation for a fundraising campaign?

White: Every situation is the appropriate situation to fundraise. In fact, over at GoFundMe …

Committee member interjects: Sorry, let’s get back to Mr. Pruitt. I have a question for you.

Pruitt: Go ahead. Do your civic duty, man.

Committee member: Were you aware of the rule-breaking carried out by members of your coaching staff?

Pruitt: I ain’t got no idea.

Committee member: You ain’t got no idea?

Pruitt: Have you met me? By the way, what’s for lunch? I could go for some cornbread.

Committee member: I think I saw some asparagus.

Pruitt: What is that?

Committee member sighs: You ain’t got no idea. Yes, I can see that. And, who was responsible for overseeing you?

Fulmer fidgets with his whistle again as he sketches out a fullback counter on a scrap of paper

Fulmer: Sorry, what’s that? The Vols are back!

White interjects: Yes, they are! The Big Orange machine is roaring, but the cost of doing business is soaring! Join our fight. By donating $25 to the My All Campaign, you can purchase a Power T bumper sticker that reads: "We beat the NCAA!"

Committee member: Mr. White, this is hardly the time.

White continues, undeterred: Fundraising operators are standing by at 865-974-1218.

Committee member turns to Donde Plowman: Chancellor Plowman, what do you make of all this?

Plowman shakes her head: Stunning. This is all very stunning.

Blake Toppmeyer is an SEC Columnist for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @btoppmeyer.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Imagining NCAA case into Jeremy Pruitt, Tennessee football as TV event