Coach Bobby Pruett graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1961 where he lettered in football, wrestling and track. As he moved into his next phase, Bobby became a standout on the football field, wrestling mat and track during his time at Marshall University. As a wrestler, he finished 4th at 177 and then 3rd in Mid-American Conference at HWT in 1964 while receiving All-MAC honors. As an end for the Herd football team, he set a school record that would stand for 24 years with 193 receiving yards and both touchdowns in a 14-12 win over Buffalo in 1964 was awarded All-MAC honors.

After graduation, Bobby became a Coach. His career began at Falls Church HS in Fairfax County, Va. where he was an assistant football coach, head wrestling coach and head golf coach. For several years, Bobby was also a wrestling official.

While the head wrestling coach at Hayfield HS, he ran the State Wrestling Championships. His first head football coaching job was at Groveton HS where he was portrayed in movie, Remember the Titans.

Pruett earned his first collegiate coaching job in 1979 as the defensive line coach for Alma Mater, Marshall University. For one year in 1981, he became defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator for the Herd. Then he joined the Wake Forest staff with his lifelong friend and head coach, Al Groh. In 1990, he moved to Ole Miss. Pruett, known for his diverse defensive coverages, gained high respect in the NCAA, and as a result, would coach as a defensive coordinator or head coach for the rest of his coaching career. While at Tulane as their DC in the 1993 season, one of his lifelong goals came true. Bobby, who had aspired to coach at U. of Florida for years, applied and was accepted by Steve Spurrier's staff as defensive coordinator. In 1994, they beat the U. of Alabama in the SEC Champion­ ships, Then played in the Sugar Bowl, but lost to rivals Florida State. In his final season of 1995, Fl. State went undefeated and the defense was ranked TOP 25 in the nation. In the Fiesta Bowl with both teams undefeated, Nebraska won.

While coaching at Florida, the head coaching job at Marshall University became vacant, Bobby immediately applied and was hired. Under Pruett, Marshall went 15-0 and won the NCAA Division I-AA Championship. They staked their claim as the best team in Division I-AA history by winning every game by at least 2 touch­ downs and crushing defending champion Montana. In 1997, he led Marshall on its move up to Division I-A competition and a return to the MAC by winning the championship and playing in its first bowl game in 50 years. In 1998, they won the MAC title, its first Motor City Bowl game and continued moving up. By the time Pruett retired from Marshall in spring of 2005, he had amassed a record of 94-23, the most wins by any Thundering Herd Football Coach- including six conference titles, five bowl wins and the 1996 National Championship. He has coached many high profile National Football League players, including Randy Moss, Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich. In 2008, he came out of retirement to be DC for Virginia and then retired again. Pruett was named MAC Coach of the Year 2X, Nike Coach of the Year, and several others. In 2014, he was inducted into the WV Sports Hall of Fame. In 1999, Bob was inducted into Marshall University Athletic Hall of Fame for his collegiate career in football, track and wrestling. His friend, Wayne Bennett says," He has devoted his life helping young people in their development with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Boy Scouts and Boys and Girls Clubs."

Bobby resides in Huntington with his loving wife Elsie. They are the proud parents of Rodney (138 Wt. State Champ), Steven (2X 132 Wt. State Champ) and son Ken.