So I also posted this on VN, and got a lot more responses (go figure
).
One of the most frequent, and one I overlooked on here, is that Pruitt made whole sale changes to his staff over the summer, and they DID NOT go well. Also, he fired Brumbaugh in the middle of a game.
So the very close second should be "inability to assemble and maintain a good staff". I liked Tracy Rocker a lot, not just because he was a hell of a player at Auburn back in the day and so at least knew football, but mostly because our DL was surprisingly good last year. Followed by surprisingly bad this year and Brumbaugh is fired. In the middle of a game.
If Pruitt is back next season, and indications are that this is likely, the one glimmer of hope we might have is that if he reverses the disastrous restructuring of his staff from last year and hires folks who can coach, and not just recruit. Given that he blew this assignment last year. He will need help I think.
Thank God we have Fulmer as AD. He does know how to hire (and when necessary fire) good staff (or bad).
Sorry that was a joke. What I would do if I was in charge (and thank goodness I'm not, but this idea might have some merit) is hire a proven coach currently out of work as a consultant (Stoops? Meyers? Or whoever) and let them make recommendations on staff. Someone with a proven record of hiring good assistants. I would not trust Pruitt at this point to make the decisions, and outside of OL coach, I would not trust Fulmer either.
Then again, Fulmer did occasionally luck up and hire a good assistant. I think Dan Brooks was outstanding, and even Chavis had his moments. So he at least likely would be better than Pruitt. But get the consultant I say. I have zero confidence that they will, but....