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The raise and extension certainly made no sense, as well as his starting salary.
But here we are....with Pruitt to expensive to fire.
But who knows, maybe he just needs one more year to turn it around....not likely, but maybe....

I am all for hiring the Maryville Staff and calling it a day as someone suggested earlier.

Just shows how much these " hit piece" writers know.  That was reality, not a hit piece.
Mullin inherited a program that was full of NFL talent and he's managed to maintain that lever since arriving. He inherited a team that went 4-8 before his arrival, same as Pruitt. There were probably a dozen NFL players on the team he inherited and the balance  all were upper SEC talent level . Prove that.  I have my doubts.  McElwain was not superb recruiter. Butch's classes rated higher.He had a 4th string QB that's probably going to win the Heisman Trophy this year.  Funny how the previous staff had him as a 4th stringer, huh? Maybe Mullen is a great coach, and QB developer and saw a prodigy buried on the bench, that the last idiot coaching staff couldn't see? Why do you think Mullin jumped at the chance to coach Florida.  Because, we drug our feet until a better job (Florida) opened up.
At the same time Pruitt inherited a team that probably didn't have D-II level talent. He had to dismiss or run off half the team.  The talent wasn't great for sure.  I don't remember him running too many players off, however.  It seems like roster turnover was low under Pruitt.  I could be mistaken.
I might remind some of the critics of how they regarded Mullin when he resigned from Ms State. No one wanted him at UT .  Only morons that can't see recognize a good coach, like the UT brass. According to the critics , he was a mediocre coach..  Some certainly said that. He had never won anything and had a losing record against SEC teams. He won more than anyone else ever at MS. St. and did an outstanding job to anyone with even an amateur eye for coaching prowess. 
Funny how great talent makes some coaches look like geniuses.  And some geniuses make shitty talent look great.
Now to Pruitt's contract extension...Pruitt insisted that his contract would be merit based. Practically all of the raise in salary he got in his contract extension was based on  a winning record and/or winning Division or SEC championships.  Horrible decision, and undeserved and unnecessary.
Just giving you guys a heads up  since I'm sure you're ready to chip in the millions of dollars it will take to buy out Pruitt , his assistants and hire a "name" coach  and guarantee contracts for assistants.
Since UT is projected to lose $40 million this year due to covid .
It will take $ 12.8 million to buy out Pruitt and his assistants, probably twice that to hire a "name" coach and his staff.  So we're looking at $35-40 million to get us a " name" coach that the critics will want to fire in 2-3 years.
I'm sure most of you already have your checkbook out and ready to sign. 

Jackie Sherril is the winningest coach in MS State history. He won about 25-30 more games than Mullin.

He won more than anyone else ever at MS. St. and did an outstanding job to anyone with even an amateur eye for coaching prowess. 

I'm guessing you skipped over the part about UT not being any good since Fulmer left? In hate to have to repeat myself but Pruitt got very little increase in salary. He got a contract extension and almost all raises was merit based. It's common practice to give a coach an extension on his contract every year to avoid ugly rumors about firing when recruiting .BTW... Fulmer has voluntarily taken a pay cut this year due to the covid.
 Pruitt is not going to be fired this year , however I will take an exception. If UT loses to Vandy tis week then all bets are off. The pressure may be too much to not make a change. But I have to remind you of the loses UTAD is taking this year so all UT will be able to afford is a bargain basement hire. ...and you're dreaming if you think 130,00 vocal critics will give $100 each. All they tend to give is criticism after every loss.