Tennessee is once again under an NCAA investigation, and this time the Volunteers might not get off so easy.
Per Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde, Tennessee is embroiled in an investigation “of potential rules violations that is ‘major’ in nature.”
The university was fined $8 million in July 2023 after a separate NCAA investigation of the football program under former head coach Jeremy Pruitt revealed “recruiting violations and direct cash payments to athletes,” per the New York Times.
The NCAA didn’t issue a bowl ban, saying that Tennessee had an “‘exemplary’ response while cooperating with investigators.”
Forde notes that specific details about the new case, including what sports are involved, are unknown.
However, “a recurrence… could have significant consequences,” cautioned Forde. If a fine wasn’t enough to curb the program’s issues, the NCAA could levy a bowl ban to send a stronger message.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel echoed Forde’s reporting while adding details about Tennessee’s potential defensive strategy to combat the investigation’s findings.
