UT Vols: Jeremy Pruitt hire 'a cloud lifted off the program,' Rick Barnes says

Being the basketball coach at a predominantly football school is nothing new for Vols coach Rick Barnes, who has spent the bulk of his career at schools more known for the gridiron than the basketball court.

So, as the Tennessee football coaching search demanded headlines in the past two weeks, Barnes had his players do what they often do: Put their heads down and work under the radar.

“We are going to go about our business regardless of what goes on,” Barnes said. “One thing I know is that I have been at some great schools that people would label as great football schools, which they are. That’s an unbelievable benefit for us, when you have a football program that is good.”

The Vols football coaching search lasted 26 days, wrapping up with the hire of Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt on Thursday. The search saw an athletic director ousted, a handful of rejections from candidates and public backlash to one potential coach.

More:'Thorough' six days leave Phillip Fulmer with Jeremy Pruitt as next UT Vols head coach

Meanwhile, Tennessee basketball has cruised to a 6-1 start and a No. 24 ranking in the Associated Press Poll – their best start and first AP ranking since 2010.

“There have been some tough things that have happened in the past couple weeks,” Barnes said. “We have tried to stay focused on our part. Now, there’s a cloud lifted off the program. Everything is going to keep moving forward.”

Barnes had a chance to meet Pruitt on Thursday, noting that they shared a connection – albeit thin. Barnes worked for one season in 1985-86 at Alabama, where Pruitt has worked for five years in two stints as the director of player development and defensive coordinator.

“He understands this league, which I think is very, very important,” Barnes said of Pruitt. “I think you just have to look back at the hires in this league over the last couple years. People that have been successful in this league have a great deal of respect for the league and knowing that you have to have someone who has an SEC background someway.”

Pruitt will be on hand for Tennessee’s game against Lipscomb (6-3) at 2:15 p.m. ET Saturday (SEC Network). He will be introduced to the crowd during the game.

“He has got (an opportunity) at one of the really great schools that has great tradition,” Barnes said. “I don’t think there’s any question people here are ready to embrace him and help him get done what everybody else wants to get done. It’s time to go to work.”

And Barnes will keep preaching the same message to his players.

“When all of that was going on, we just tried to do what we would do regardless of if it was normal or not normal,” Barnes said. “I give our guys credit for staying focused.”

One year later – almost

The Lipscomb game marks an unfortunate anniversary for forward John Fulkerson, as he suffered a dislocated elbow and fractured elbow against the Bisons. The injury ended his freshman season on Dec. 15 after a solid start through the first 10 games

On Friday, Barnes said Fulkerson still is shaking off the rust from the injury, as well as a torn labrum in his left shoulder that required surgery in May.

“I think he has been back long enough now,” Barnes said. “He’s competing. You go back to a year ago and he got himself off to a great start, then the Lipscomb game was the game he got hurt. It has been almost a year. He missed 10 months of that.

“We expect him to keep getting better. He’s got to. We need more out of him, so those other guys on the front line don’t have to play tired.”

Fulkerson is averaging 2.7 points and 2.3 rebounds per game in 10.9 minutes per game.