Tennessee's coaching search ended when it hired Jeremy Pruitt on Dec. 7.

This search, however, was anything but typical.

How did the Volunteers get from consecutive nine-win seasons under Butch Jones to, well, here? It's a series of unfortunate events that started at the beginning of the 2017 season with Butch Jones and ended with bringing in Pruitt a little more than four months later. Here is the timeline of the Tennessee coaching search in its entirety.

MORE: Fulmer, Pruitt and common sense save Tennessee

Here's a look at the Tennessee saga that's unfolded in 2017:

Sept. 4: Tennessee unveils a turnover trash can in its 42-41 win over Georgia Tech. While it doesn't backfire in the season-opening win, it became a source of endless jokes as the Volunteers' season spirals downward.

Tennessee apparently now turning its search to Chad Morris, Kevin Steele and the trash can from the season-opener against Georgia Tech. pic.twitter.com/XkU77goVyL — Michael Bruntz (@michaelbruntz) November 29, 2017

Sept. 9: No. 23 Tennessee loses 26-20 to No. 24 Florida on a last-second Hail Mary, in which the Volunteers allowed a 65-yard pass from Feleipe Franks to Tyrie Cleveland.

Sept. 25: Jones goes in on the media with a rant about "fake news" and the negativity surrounding the program.

Here's the end to Butch Jones' press conference pic.twitter.com/8M9IOQdQWX — Saturday Down South (@SDS) September 25, 2017

Sept. 30: No. 7 Georgia hammers Tennessee 41-0, effectively dropping the Vols out of the SEC East race before October. The writing is on the wall for Jones. But who could be a legitimate replacement?

Oct. 9: Jones introduces another terrible, meme-worthy term into the Tennessee football lexicon: "leadership reps."

Oct. 16: Following a 15-9 loss to South Carolina, Jones said his team did everything to beat the Gamecocks, except "score touchdowns."

MORE: Who could take over for Jones at Tennessee?

Oct. 21: No. 1 Alabama hammers Tennessee 45-7, a game best known for the inappropriate gesture Rashaan Gaulden made after the Volunteers scored their lone touchdown. That's 11 straight losses to the Crimson Tide, by the way.

You’re still losing by 21, Tennessee.



That’s 1 more touchdown than you have middle fingers. pic.twitter.com/pNuNlcOxhy — Dr. Saturday (@YahooDrSaturday) October 21, 2017

Oct. 29: Fans begin an #EmptyNeyland campaign in response to a four-game losing streak that drops the Vols to 3-5. This comes in reaction to the 29-26 loss to Kentucky.

Nov. 12: Jones is fired one day after Missouri defeats Tennessee 50-17. Interim coach Brady Hoke takes over, and the Vols lose their final two games of the season to fall to 4-8, going winless in the SEC for the first time ever.

Nov. 19: "Grumors" spread that Monday Night Football announcer Jon Gruden is in Knoxville at a restaurant having dinner with Vols legend Peyton Manning. Those rumors, however, prove to be false.

Nov. 25: UCLA hires Chip Kelly, taking him off Tennessee's board for consideration.

Nov. 26: All hell breaks loose. Florida hires Dan Mullen, the Mississippi State coach who is also a candidate for the Tennessee job.

USA Today's Dan Wolken reports the Volunteers are finalizing a deal with Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano, a former Rutgers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach who spent the last two seasons in Columbus.

That prompts a vicious reaction from Tennessee fans toward AD John Currie.

Clay Travis:

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Make his phone blow up and voice your displeasure. pic.twitter.com/RwNF1eZs2Z — Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) November 26, 2017

Former players such as Albert Haynesworth:

I’m just going to say this if we hire Greg Schiano as our next head coach my options will be open to which college program I will Be donating my TIME and MONEY to. (No disrespect to GS) but if UT leaders don’t take football serious then I will find the program that will!!! — Albert Haynesworth (@haynesworthiii) November 26, 2017

Students:

We're back on campus this morning with reaction after the reported deal in the works with Greg Schiano to be head coach at UT. Live on GMT. The rock has been repainted with #FireCurrie. #WATE pic.twitter.com/F8JCPAlqxz — Whitney Burks Good (@WhitneyGoodWATE) November 27, 2017

And many more. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders even weighs in on the news. Despite a signed memorandum of understanding, the deal with Schiano falls through. Currie releases a statement explaining the university's position.

It's a day unlike any other on the coaching carousel.

Nov. 27: Duke coach David Cutcliffe, who served as an offensive coordinator twice at Tennessee, tells the school he will stay with the Blue Devils.

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, who played at Tennessee, makes it clear he's not a candidate for the job during preparation for a Thursday game against Washington.

Nov. 28: Former Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin joins the fun on Twitter.

I flew Knox there last nite to do that why u were asleep 😴. Thx Knox now get back to 3rd grade class. Ur teacher just called. 👨‍🎓🦉🔥🏈🎳 @finebaum @espn pic.twitter.com/ZCtVHhVFEq — Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) November 28, 2017

Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy becomes the name of the day, and Brett McMurphy reports Gundy had phone conversations with Manning about the job.

Sources: Among the conversations b/w Tennessee & Mike Gundy before today included a call from Peyton Manning making a pitch for Gundy to come to UT — Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) November 28, 2017

Gundy, however, decides to stay at Oklahoma State.

Kiffin has more fun on Twitter:

Nov. 29: Pro Football Talk reports Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter won't interview for the Tennessee job.

Jim Bob Cooter won’t interview for Tennessee job https://t.co/pKZcbcEWfG — ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) November 29, 2017

ESPN's Chris Low reports the Vols turned their attention to Brohm. It is later reported that Tennessee will announce its hiring of Brohm — who went 6-6 at Purdue in 2017 — until further reports suggest that Brohm hasn't worked out a deal at all.

Brohm, however, turns down Tennessee and the Vols have now turned their focus toward N.C. State's Dave Doeren:

No deal was reached between Tennessee and Purdue's Jeff Brohm, and Vols have now turned their attention to N.C. State's Dave Doeren. — Chris Low (@ClowESPN) November 29, 2017

Kiffin has more fun on Twitter after an exchange with former Vols QB Erik Ainge.

Reactions to the potential for Doeren? You guessed it ...

Multiple people have tweeted me that they’re lining up on campus in the morning to cancel their season tickets if #Vols hire Dave Doeren.



This is going well, you guys. — Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) November 30, 2017

Nov. 30: NC. State's Dave Doeren remains in the mix for Tennessee:

Late update: Dave Doeren has a potential deal with Tennessee, according to sources, and an improved offer from N.C. State. He is expected to make a decision on Thursday — Joe Giglio (@jwgiglio) November 30, 2017

Tennessee fans want Dave Doeren to take his NC State extension. NC State fans want Dave Doeren to take the Tennessee offer. — Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) November 30, 2017

Dave Doeren has basically the same record as Butch Jones. 5 things about the guy the Vols may hire https://t.co/qANXD2Rf9s — Mike Wilson (@ByMikeWilson) November 30, 2017

Doeren turned down Tennesee on Thursday afternoon:

Breaking: Dave Doeren is staying at NC State, turns down Tennessee offer — Joe Giglio (@jwgiglio) November 30, 2017

Tennessee now has turned their attention to former Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin, according to ESPN.com.

Just a reminder that Kevin Sumlin has been on Tennessee's radar before. He interviewed for the job in 2010 when he was at Houston and the Vols hired Derek Dooley. — Chris Low (@ClowESPN) November 30, 2017

However, reports late Thursday night said Mike Leach is working on deal to become the Vols' coach.

Sources tell @NBCDFWSports that former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach is working on a deal to become the next coach at Tennessee. A deal could be announced Friday. I’m working on more details. — Newy Scruggs (@newyscruggs) December 1, 2017

Dec. 1: Tennessee has decided to move on from athletic director John Currie, per a report from ESPN's Chris Low. Currie did not last a year on the job (he was hired Feb. 28, 2017) in part, presumably, because of the way Tennessee has bungled its coaching search under his leadership. Meanwhile, the in-fighting continues at Tennessee.

Just filed to ESPN: Tennessee has parted ways with AD John Currie on the heels of what has been a disastrous Tennessee coaching search. He met with university officials on Friday morning, and the decision was made then. — Chris Low (@ClowESPN) December 1, 2017

Sources: John Currie was prepared to hire Mike Leach but university officials wouldn’t allow him to do so. Phillip Fulmer has been sabotaging search process in hopes to become Tennessee’s AD — Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) December 1, 2017

Reactions, at this point, are predictable.

Kiffin, meanwhile, is still having fun on Twitter.

John Currie reportedly out as Tennessee athletic director. If true hire paul asap as the AD!!!!! Real orange blood. Then he will hire Tee Martin #volsrback #rockytop @finebaum @coachtee17 @espn https://t.co/Ku2gZYVvvH — Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) December 1, 2017

Tennessee hired Fulmer as its new athletic director on Friday.

Chancellor Beverly Davenport announced the appointment of Phillip Fulmer as director of athletics on Friday. #GBOhttps://t.co/KD4Y8Xh8Hg — Tennessee Athletics (@Vol_Sports) December 1, 2017

Dec. 2: Former Tennessee quarterback Tee Martin, USC's offensive coordinator and a candidate for the opening, showed Vols' fans appreciation after the Trojans' 31-28 victory in the Pac-12 championship game.

And to the loyal Tennessee fans. Showing some California Love!! That’s what’s up! #Pac12Champs! pic.twitter.com/0bx3BskTAf — Tee Martin (@coachtee17) December 2, 2017

Later that evening, a report from Tennessee's 247Sports site suggests new athletic director Phillip Fulmer has reached out to, among others, former LSU coach Les Miles for the vacant head coaching position.

Dec. 5: According to multiple reports, Georgia defensive coordinator Mel Tucker and Auburn defensive Kevin Steele received second interviews for the job.

SI's Bruce Feldman also is reporting Fulmer had conversations with Martin regarding the position:

A #Vols update: #Tennessee AD Phil Fulmer and #USC OC Tee Martin have had a talk and the conversation was very positive, I'm told. — Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 5, 2017

Dec. 7: According to multiple reports, Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt will be named Tennessee's head coach.

Tennessee still hammering out final details with Jeremy Pruitt, but both sides expect him to be officially announced as the Vols' head coach on Thursday. I'm also told the plan is for him to pull double duty and stay on as Alabama's DC through the College Football Playoff. — Chris Low (@ClowESPN) December 7, 2017

Tennessee announced Jeremy Pruitt as their head coach on Dec. 7, which ended the 24-day search.

Jeremy Pruitt has been named the 26th head coach of the Tennessee football program.



Welcome to Rocky Top, Coach Pruitt! 🍊🏈



STORY » https://t.co/umAqTlyJ8D pic.twitter.com/tTDYmtBtXr — Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) December 7, 2017

This story will be updated.