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The Alabama defense this season was not up to the standards of Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban. After all, many of Saban’s six national titles at Alabama have been due to ridiculously good defenses.
Legends like Demeco Ryans, Terrence Cody, Courtney Upshaw, Dre Kirkpatrick, Jonathan Allen and so many more have turned in incredible defensive performances after incredible defensive performances. But, that nastiness that was so often associated with Crimson Tide has been gone.
After all, they gave up 84 total points in their losses to Tennessee and LSU and both were just putrid defensive performances.
Magically, defensive coordinator Pete Golding moved on from Alabama and is in the same position at Ole Miss.
There’s an opening, obviously, for a defensive coordinator at Alabama. And, Saban is looking for a familiar face to help fill the opening.
“Nick Saban kicks tires on Jeremy Pruitt as Alabama continues search for next defensive coordinator” https://t.co/KaVjIwAAmw pic.twitter.com/c2LQmln6H9
— I am a literal chicken (@thisuserposted) January 31, 2023
Yes, the same Jeremy Pruitt who left as the Tennessee Head Coach in total scandal. But, the guy can coach. Pruitt was the defensive coordinator for Saban at Alabama in 2016 and 2017. Both years, the Tide had the nation’s best scoring defense. So, it makes sense why Saban wants to bring him back.
Here are some more details courtesy of that CBS Sports article.
Alabama coach Nick Saban has reached out to former Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt regarding the Crimson Tide’s vacant defensive coordinator position, sources tell CBS Sports. It is believed no offer has been made at this time, and Alabama would not speak on Pruitt’s candidacy when contacted for comment.
Sources indicate Pruitt would face long odds to getting hired by the Tide as the subject of an ongoing NCAA investigation. He was fired at Tennessee two years ago as the NCAA levied allegations of 18 Level I violations on the Volunteers. Level I violations are most serious on the NCAA’s scale of infractions.
There has been widespread speculation that Pruitt would be involved in Saban’s search to replace Pete Golding, who left for the same position at Ole Miss earlier this month. Golding was not expected to be retained by Alabama.
Most of those alleged NCAA violations stem from payments to recruits by Pruitt. Of course, schools are just doing that now through NIL.
Either way, an interesting candidate for Nick Saban and Alabama.