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University of Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt speaks about who he sees as the Vols' opponents during his introduction ceremony in the Neyland Stadium Peyton Manning Locker Room Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017.

Apparently Austin Thomas isn't joining Jeremy Pruitt's staff after all.

Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports and SI.com, citing a source, reported Sunday that the deal stalled.

Thomas previously had been the general manager at LSU. He resigned his post to take a job on Pruitt's staff at Tennessee, an LSU spokesman had confirmed to USA TODAY Network - Tennessee on Thursday.

More: Pruitt should benefit in recruiting from high school jobs

But Thomas and the Vols couldn't come to terms on title and responsibility, Feldman reported Sunday.

Tennessee has not announced any of Pruitt's staff hires and had not confirmed anything regarding Thomas.

Thomas has spent the past five seasons at LSU, most recently as its general manager, a position created by coach Ed Orgeron for Thomas. Previously at LSU, he was the director of player personnel and an assistant athletic director.

More: Tennessee coaching staff, including Pruitt and Fulmer, visit Cade Mays' school

Footballscoop.com named Thomas its 2015 player personnel director of the year.

The possibility of Pruitt adding Thomas was viewed as a plus for the Vols' recruiting.

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Thomas is a Franklin native. He received a master's in sport management from UT after getting his undergraduate degree from Lipscomb. 

Thomas got his start in college athletics at UT, serving as a recruiting intern in 2008 before serving as a defensive analyst for the 2009 season.

More: Pruitt eyeing 'good people' as UT Vols assistant coaches

Thomas also has worked on staffs at Southern California and Bowling Green.

Thomas served as an active recruiter for LSU for the past year, taking defensive line coach Pete Jenkins' spot on the road. He also has been a liaison for LSU players looking to continue their careers in the NFL.

The Baton Rouge Advocate reported that Thomas' duties at LSU included overseeing a staff of students and interns who mined the country for prospective talent and compiled recruiting databases for LSU's use.

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