Jeremy Pruitt Named Alabama DC: Latest Contract Details, Reaction

The Alabama Crimson Tide were dealt a blow when coveted defensive coordinator Kirby Smart took the head job at Georgia, but Tide coach Nick Saban pounced quickly and hired away the Bulldogs' Jeremy Pruitt to take the position.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Last year, Pruitt made $1.3 million annually at Georgia, and Smart made $1.5 million as DC at Alabama.  

Pruitt spent the last two seasons as Georgia’s defensive coordinator under Mark Richt, and indicated as recently as Monday’s announcement of Smart’s hiring that he’d like to remain in Athens despite Richt’s dismissal and tensions that built between he and the athletic department during the season. 

Chip Towers of the Atlanta Journal Constitution made an interesting speculation as to why Pruitt wasn’t retained:

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Based on the comments of Smart and Athletic Director Greg McGarity in the past week—who were both adamant that Smart could retain or hire anybody he wanted—it means that Smart allowed Pruitt to leave. It means that Smart has other plans for running the Bulldogs’ defense.

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Under Pruitt, Georgia ranks eighth nationally in total defense (298 yards per game), first against the pass (146.1 yards), second in red zone defense (64.5 percent), third in first down defense (173) and ninth in scoring (16.9 points). 

However, in Georgia’s three losses—to Alabama, Florida and Tennessee—the defense allowed an average of 437 yards and 34.3 points per game. 

Some players launched a #KeepPruitt campaign on Twitter in the days following Richt’s dismissal. His departure to the Crimson Tide likely will not sit well with much of the personnel, as they will now have their third defensive coordinator in four years. 

Prior to taking the Georgia DC job, Pruitt won a national championship in the same position at Florida State in 2013. 

It’s a homecoming of sorts for Pruitt, who was a defensive back for two seasons with the Tide, then became a coach at Hoover High in Birmingham before joining Alabama’s staff in 2007, where he remained through 2012. 

Pruitt relayed his excitement to return home in a statement released by the school on Friday:

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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 a 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.

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Pruitt’s immediate role remains unclear, as Smart will return to Alabama next week and coach the team through the College Football Playoff, beginning New Year’s Eve in the Cotton Bowl against No. 3 Michigan State, according to ESPN.com. 

Smart has been on the recruiting trail for Georgia since officially accepting the job Monday, and Pruitt will likely do the same for now. Aaron Suttles of the Tuscaloosa News outlined the parameters for which Pruitt can work under for the time being:

Dan Wolken of USA Today highlighted how advantageous the series of events have favored Alabama while leaving Georgia in limbo for the time being:

Clearly, Georgia had no hesitation to let Pruitt walk, but with the dawn of the Smart era in Athens, perhaps a complete overhaul was the necessary approach.