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Jeremy Pruitt New Tide Defensive Coordinator
New Tide Defensive Coordinator Jeremy Pruitt
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
Alabama Crimson Tide head football coach Nick Saban yesterday announced the hiring of former defensive back of the Tide, Jeremy Pruitt, as Alabama's new defensive coordinator. Pruitt has already served on the Alabama coaching staff for six seasons under Saban.
Saban said, "We are excited to announce that Jeremy Pruitt has rejoined our staff at Alabama as defensive coordinator. He did an outstanding job in the six years he was with us and did the same at Florida State and Georgia after that. Jeremy is obviously an excellent defensive coach, and also does a great job in terms of recruiting and developing relationships with players. We're pleased and happy to have Jeremy and his family back in Tuscaloosa."
Pruitt greatly improved the Georgia Bulldog defense serving two seasons there as defensive coordinator and secondary coach from 2014-15. This season's Bulldog defense ranks eighth in overall defense nationally, first in passing yards allowed per game, second in red zone defense, third in first down defense, eighth in pass defense, and is ninth in scoring defense.
Prior to serving at Georgia, Pruitt headed up the Florida State defense as both defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. That 2013 team won the national championship that season.
Pruitt commented, "This is a special opportunity for me to come back to the University of Alabama. Growing up in the state and having played and coached here, I have great appreciation for Alabama football. Coach Saban's success speaks for itself and I wouldn't be
where I am today without the chance he gave me to join his staff back in
2007. We are excited to get back to Tuscaloosa and be a part of one of
the outstanding programs in college athletics."
As mentioned, Pruitt served previously on Saban's staff at Alabama for six seasons, spanning 2007 when Saban was hired as head coach up until 2012. He was originally hired as Director of player development in 2007. He was defensive backs coach from 2010-12 during that time.
Between 2004 and 2006 Pruitt was an assistant coach at Hoover High School in Alabama serving for three seasons as defensive backs coach then the final two as the defensive coordinator. His teams won the 6A State Championship in 2004, 2005 and 2006. From 2001 to 2003 he was an assistant coach at Ft. Payne High School under his father, Dale.
Pruitt's coaching career actually got its start as a student assistant coach at the University of Alabama in 1997. Her served in this capacity under then defensive backs coach Curley Hallman. Following that stint at UA he joined his dad at Plainview High School as defensive coordinator. He was elevated to defensive coordinator in 1998 where he served until 2000. He then spent a year at the University of West Alabama as defensive backs coach, and earned his bachelor's degree in 1999.
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Crimson Tide Women's Basketball Wins 78-66.
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
The University of Alabama women's basketball team (8-1) took its eighth win of the season beating the Georgetown Hoyas (6-3) at home in Tuscaloosa . The game ended shortly ago with Alabama winning 78-66. Details to follow shortly.
