Alabama hires Jeremy Pruitt as defensive coordinator

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) Alabama has hired Jeremy Pruitt as defensive coordinator after he served in that role at Georgia and Florida State. Crimson Tide coach

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) Alabama has hired Jeremy Pruitt as defensive coordinator after he served in that role at Georgia and Florida State.

Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban announced the hiring of the former Alabama assistant Friday. Pruitt was on Mark Richt's staff at Georgia and fills the vacancy that was created when Kirby Smart became coach of the Bulldogs.

''He did an outstanding job in the six years he was with us and did the same at Florida State and Georgia after that,'' Saban said in a statement. ''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.''

Alabama didn't release contract details pending approval by the Board of Trustees. Smart had been making about $1.5 million.

Pruitt spent the past two seasons running the Bulldogs defense, which ranks eighth nationally in total yards allowed and is first in pass defense.

He was defensive coordinator and secondary coach for Florida State's national championship team in 2013 before joining Richt's staff.

Pruitt was on Saban's staff from 2007-2012, working as defensive backs coach the final three years. He worked with first-round NFL draft picks Mark Barron, Dre Kirkpatrick and Dee Milliner.

''This is a special opportunity for me to come back to the University of Alabama,'' Pruitt said. ''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.''

Pruitt played two seasons at Alabama under Gene Stallings after transferring from Middle Tennessee.