Lane Kiffin predicts Jeremy Pruitt will restore Tennessee Vols to greatness

Jeremy Pruitt has Lane Kiffin’s endorsement.

Kiffin offered his opinion of the first-year Tennessee coach during a radio appearance Friday on Nashville’s 102.5 The Game.

“Jeremy’s going to do a great job there,” Kiffin told the radio station. “I would not be shocked if it’s not going to be just like Georgia — you’re looking at Tennessee back in the top 10 within two years and making a playoff run.”

Kiffin was referencing Georgia’s hire of Kirby Smart, who in his second season led the Bulldogs to the national championship game last year.

Like Smart, Pruitt was an Alabama defensive coordinator for Nick Saban.

Kiffin and Pruitt worked together during the 2016 season, when Kiffin was Saban’s offensive coordinator.

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“Extremely intelligent,” Kiffin said of Pruitt. “High school coaches love him, which will go a long ways in recruiting. Tennessee is going to be back really soon.”

Kiffin is entering his second season as Florida Atlantic’s coach. The Owls went 11-3 and won the Conference USA championship in Kiffin’s first season. Kiffin signed a contract extension after last season that would keep him at FAU through the 2027 season.

“This is a great place, great weather, and we’ve got a president that’s totally committed to building a top-25 program here,” he said.

Kiffin was Tennessee’s coach in 2009, and he never misses a chance to weigh in on the Vols, whether during interviews or on social media. Although he sometimes has a laugh at UT’s expense on Twitter, he had only good things to say about Pruitt.

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“Phenomenal recruiter, arguably the best defensive coordinator in all of college football and a great teacher,” Kiffin said. “He was a high school coach. You’ve got to teach guys at that level.”

Kiffin signed off the interview in interesting fashion.

"Go Vols!" he said.