Was NCAA hearing worth the risk for Jeremy Pruitt, Phillip Fulmer, Tennessee?

CINCINNATI – Jeremy Pruitt and the University of Tennessee didn’t have to take their NCAA infractions case to a hearing.

This could’ve been settled months ago with a negotiation resolution.

Instead, they took a calculated risk by pushing for a hearing, which wrapped up here on Thursday. The NCAA Committee on Infractions panel remained until Friday.

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We won’t know if it was worth it until the infractions panel releases its final decision in late spring or likely summer.

But here are the early takeaways in the aftermath of 20 hours behind closed doors that covered allegations of 18 highest-level violations.

Jeremy Pruitt could’ve cut his losses

Pruitt, the former UT football coach, is alleged to have committed 13 Level 1 violations, the most severe in the NCAA's categorization.

In February, some his assistant coaches and recruiting staff members accepted show-cause penalties that prevent them from coaching or recruiting in college football for a period of time.

Pruitt could’ve accepted a similar plea deal and got his potential penalty out of the way sooner than later.

Instead, Pruitt rolled the dice to clear his name of any wrongdoing and get the $12.6 million severance laid out in his contract that UT denied him when it fired him for cause in January 2021. The chances of accomplishing either goal appear remote.

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Better or worse, Tennessee put faith in NCAA and lawyers

UT cooperated fully with the NCAA enforcement staff and paid attorneys more than $1.5 million in legal fees to get the best result possible.

If the football program avoids a postseason ban and massive scholarship cuts, a hearing was worth it.

The risk was that Pruitt could tell the infractions panel that UT had knowledge of wrongdoing. That would result in harsher penalties than the university would’ve gotten in a negotiated resolution before the hearing.

There’s no indication that Pruitt inflicted grave damage on UT. But the hearing was closed to the public and media, so the final report will get the last word.

If UT’s cooperation with the NCAA doesn’t pay off and it receives a postseason ban, the university will appeal the decision. That’s where the high-priced lawyers will come back into play.

Phillip Fulmer could protect his legacy

Phillip Fulmer, the athletics director during Pruitt’s tenure, didn’t get a say in whether the case went to a hearing. But he had a choice in whether to attend it.

Fulmer came for both days of the hearing and played a part in defending the university against a failure to monitor charge and any potential accusation from Pruitt.

Fulmer’s reputation was on the line, but time will tell if his attendance helped or harmed it.

Fulmer was not named in the NCAA notice of allegations or UT’s response, which were filed before the hearing. He retired on the day Pruitt was fired and receives $450,000 a year – one-half of his annual compensation – through the end of 2023.

If Fulmer is not held responsible for violations or knowledge of wrongdoing in the final report, he will avoid blame and keep his name clear.

But if the infractions panel finds he shared some responsibility for what happened, his reputation as an administrator would take a hit.

Fulmer already was an iconic UT football coach and College Football Hall of Fame member. He led the Vols to a 152-52 record over 17 seasons, two SEC titles and the 1998 national championship.

This case, at worst, could complicate his legacy. At best, it could protect it.

Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. Twitter @AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.  

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Was NCAA hearing worth risk for Jeremy Pruitt and Tennessee football?