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Alabama DC rumors: Former Crimson Tide assistant on campus, ‘very much in play’ for job, per report
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Alabama’s open defensive coordinator position has to be one of the biggest storylines in the country. The top coach in the game is looking to reinforce his defense. And a popular name for the position is an old friend. Fans and former players have thrown their support behind former Bama assistant Jeremy Pruitt.
To that end, Tide Illustrated’s Tony Tsoukalas reported on Thursday that Pruitt has in fact been back on campus recently and is “very much in play” for a return to coach Nick Saban’s staff.
Jeremy Pruitt’s potential return to Alabama is very much in play as sources tell Tide Illustrated that he was on campus this week.
More on that as well as an update on Alabama's search for a new OC here ⬇️
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— Tony Tsoukalas (@Tony_Tsoukalas) January 26, 2023
Pruitt began his coaching career as a grad assistant at Alabama in 1997. He returned to Tuscaloosa in 2007 as the program’s Director of Player Development. After 3 seasons in that role, Pruitt was named the team’s defensive backs coach, where he’d spend another 3 years before leaving to take the D.C. job at Florida State.
Pruitt came back to Alabama in 2016 to replace Kirby Smart as Saban’s defensive coordinator. He spent two more years on staff before getting the Tennessee head coaching gig.
Two weeks ago, Pete Golding left the Crimson Tide to take the D.C. job on Lane Kiffin’s staff at Ole Miss. Since, Pruitt has been a popular name as a replacement.
The complicating factor in a potential hire is the NCAA. Pruitt is still awaiting word from the NCAA on what punishment he’ll face for his role in recruiting violations that led to his dismissal at Tennessee.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
