Fans sometimes get carried away when criticizing coaches. They claim that a coach should be fired during halftime or at some point during the game. But those types of things very rarely happen.

Unless you're Jimmy Brumbaugh.

On Wednesday, Kentucky Sport Radio's Zach Geohagen reported that the Vols' defensive line coach was fired during the team's 34-7 loss to Kentucky on Saturday. Yes, you read that right. Head coach Jeremy Pruitt relieved Brumbaugh of his duties while the team was still being thrashed by the Wildcats.

"A source close to the UT program tells KSR that Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt fired assistant coach Jimmy Brumbaugh during the game on Saturday," Geohagen reveals in the article. "Pruitt let Brumbaugh go while the game was still being played, confirming it after it was over." Pruitt will coach the defensive line through the rest of the season himself.

Brumbaugh's future in Knoxville has been in question for awhile now. Though some may have been surprised that Pruitt fired him in the middle of a game, the firing itself surprised no one.

The Tennessee defensive line has made almost no statistical impact this season. The unit has combined for only 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack through four games.

When watching the defensive line face off against the veteran offensive line from Kentucky, it was apparently the Vols were physically outmatched. Pruitt reiterated as much on Sunday, saying that "from a philosophical standpoint, things are just not a fit, and it just didn't work out for us." That is as honest an answer as you'll get from Pruitt regarding the situation.

Tennessee (2-2) will welcome an undefeated Alabama squad to Knoxville on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET. The Crimson Tide just handed Georgia its first loss of the season. Improvement along the Vol defensive front is considered a must moving forward.

Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.

Jimmy Brumbaughn

Report: Jeremy Pruitt Fired Assistant Coach Jimmy Brumbaugh During Kentucky Game