A DeKalb County Alabama Judge has issued an order blocking the National Collegiate Athletic Association from enforcing coaching restrictions against former Tennessee head football coach Jeremy Pruitt.
Pruitt was fired from the University of Tennessee in January 2021 “for cause” following an internal investigation into alleged violations of NCAA rules involving improper benefits provided to players and recruits. On July 14, 2023, the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions released its public decision, issuing Pruitt a six-year show-cause order.
In March, Pruitt filed a lawsuit in DeKalb County seeking injunctive relief from the show-cause penalty. On Monday, DeKalb County Circuit Judge Andrew Hairston granted that request.
In his order, Hairston said the court found that Pruitt met all legal requirements for an injunction and determined that the show-cause restrictions posed “irreparable harm” to his career — harm that could not be remedied through monetary damages. The judge also ruled that lifting the restrictions would result in little or no harm to the NCAA.
The NCAA had argued that DeKalb County lacked jurisdiction over its enforcement actions. However, Hairston ruled that the association subjected itself to Alabama jurisdiction by limiting Pruitt’s employment opportunities within the state.
In October, the NCAA had previously ruled that Pruitt could accept an analyst position at Jacksonville State, but with significant restrictions. Those limitations included prohibitions on recruiting activities, attending games in person, and other duties tied to areas where prior violations occurred. The NCAA also argued that an injunction was unnecessary, stating that no other schools had expressed interest in hiring Pruitt.
Show-cause penalties typically make it difficult for a coach to obtain future NCAA employment, as any school seeking to hire the individual must appear before the Committee on Infractions and justify the decision. Under the original order, Pruitt would have been suspended for the first full year of any future NCAA athletics position.
The judge’s ruling temporarily blocks enforcement of those restrictions while the case proceeds.
