Tennessee football's Josh Heupel paying attention to NCAA hearing. Here's what he said
Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel called the NCAA Committee on Infractions hearing on the Vols program taking place in Cincinnati a "speed bump" he is monitoring from afar.
The infractions did not occur on Heupel's watch and, in fact, led to his hiring. Former Vols coach Jeremy Pruitt was fired after 18 allegations of NCAA violations were made against the program on his watch.
Pruitt and nine others associated with the program were fired in January 2021. Heupel was hired later that month.
The Tennessean asked Heupel on Wednesday how much attention he is paying to the hearings?
"Obviously, I'm paying close attention on the backend," Heupel said during a Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville. "I really believe this is a speed bump. I feel like we're continuing to handle it the right way. Our administration has been forthright; they found it, they gave it to the NCAA. They've been nothing but cooperative the entire time."
JEREMY PRUITT VS. UT: Jeremy Pruitt faces off vs. Tennessee football in NCAA hearing | Live updates
PRUITTS SHOW UP FOR HEARING: Jeremy Pruitt and wife Casey and Tennessee arrive at NCAA hearing
Heupel, who is 18-8 after two seasons at UT, was at Nissan Stadium along with Vols men's basketball coach Rick Barnes and women's basketball coach Kellie Harper for the Big Orange Caravan, a statewide tour to promote and support Tennessee athletics.
According to the 18 allegations, the football program spent nearly $60,000 in "impermissible recruiting inducements and extra benefits," which could be considered bribes for prospective and current student-athletes.
UT officials claim Pruitt, his wife Casey, defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley and the rest of the coaching staff were aware their recruiting tactics were not permissible by NCAA rules and intentionally hid them from the university.
The Pruitts showed up at the first day of the hearing Wednesday. The hearing lasted more than 10 hours and will continue Thursday.
Former Tennessee athletics director Phillip Fulmer, who hired Pruitt, current athletics director Danny White, University of Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey also attended the hearing in support of UT.
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Josh Heupel calls NCAA hearings into Tennessee football a speed bump
