Jeremy Pruitt

Jeremy Pruitt began his second stint on the Alabama coaching staff in 2016 as the Crimson Tide's defensive coordinator and returns for his second year in the position. Pruitt, a former defensive back with the Tide, also coaches the inside linebackers.

In his first season back in 2016, Pruitt coordinated a defense that led the nation in scoring defense (13.0 ppg) and rushing defense (63.9 ypg), while ranking second in total defense by two yards (261.8 ypg) and ranked ninth in pass efficiency defense (106.47). The Tide also led the nation in defensive touchdowns with 11. He tutored senior inside linebacker Reuben Foster to consensus first team All-America honors and the Butkus Award, which goes to the nation's top linebacker, while finishing with 115 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and five sacks. Junior Shaun Dion Hamilton also became a stalwart on the inside for the Tide in 2016, finishing with 64 tackles, nine tackles for loss and two interceptions before suffering a knee injury against Florida.

Pruitt joined the Alabama staff after spending two seasons as defensive coordinator/secondary coach at Georgia (2014-15). Pruitt's 2015 Georgia defense ranked seventh nationally in total defense, allowing 305.9 yards per game, led the nation in passing yards allowed per game (156.5 ypg), ranked third nationally in red zone defense (.676) and in first down defense (189), seventh nationally in pass efficiency defense (104.99) and eighth in scoring defense (16.9 ppg). In 2014, Pruitt's Georgia defense ranked 17th nationally in total defense (337.2 ypg), fourth in turnover margin (+1.23) and fifth in passing yards allowed (170.4 ypg).

Pruitt served as both defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Florida State in 2013 as part of a staff that led the Seminoles to an undefeated season and the 2013 national championship. That Seminole defense ended the season leading the nation in scoring defense (12.1 ppg), and ranking second in team passing efficiency defense (93.77), third in total defense (281.4 ypg), and 18th in rushing defense (124.8 ypg).

Pruitt previously served on the Crimson Tide staff for six seasons (2007-12), coaching the Tide defensive backs from 2010-12. In that role, Pruitt mentored several notable Crimson Tide stars including safety Mark Barron and cornerbacks Dre Kirkpatrick, DeQuan Menzie and Dee Milliner. Pruitt originally joined the Alabama staff as Director of Player Development in 2007.

His 2012 Tide secondary was led by Milliner, a first team All-American and top-10 pick in in the 2013 NFL Draft. Alabama ranked seventh nationally in pass efficiency defense while leading the nation in scoring and total defense en route to winning the SEC and national championships. Milliner led all defensive backs in tackles with 54 while recording two interceptions and breaking up 20 passes. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, another future first-round pick, led the team with five interceptions while Vinnie Sunseri added 54 tackles and Robert Lester intercepted four passes.

The 2011 Alabama secondary was one of the best in the nation, boasting a pair of AFCA first team All-Americans in Barron, who was also a finalist for the Thorpe Award, and Menzie. Kirkpatrick made it three first team All-Americans in the secondary when he and Barron received that honor from the FWAA. Milliner also made significant contributions at corner and led the team with three interceptions on the season. Robert Lester, who started alongside Barron at safety, collected 39 total tackles, a pair of interceptions, five passes defended, one forced fumble and a blocked kick after leading the team in picks the year prior.

The defensive backfield had a lot of new faces on the field in 2010 with the loss of starters Javier Arenas (CB), Kareem Jackson (CB) and Justin Woodall (S) following the 2009 national championship. Under the tutelage of Pruitt, the young group came together quickly and helped Alabama lead the SEC in total defense, scoring defense and pass efficiency defense.

The 2010 secondary was anchored by Barron, who was named a first team FWAA All-American. He led the Tide with 75 tackles in 12 games in 2010, missing the Capital One Bowl with a shoulder injury. Lester also had a significant impact at safety, earning second-team Walter Camp All-American honors and ranking second nationally with eight interceptions. At corner, Kirkpatrick was a second-team All-SEC pick, while Milliner was a Freshman All-American and Freshman All-SEC selection.

Pruitt joined the Alabama staff as director of player development in 2007 after a successful stint as an assistant coach at Hoover (Ala.) High School. At Hoover, he served for three seasons as defensive backs coach with the final two as the defensive coordinator. He tutored a defense that helped the Bucs reach the Class 6A State Championship in 2004, 2005 and 2006, winning titles in 2004 and 2005. Pruitt served as an assistant coach under his father, Dale Pruitt, at Fort Payne High School from 2001-03.

Pruitt began his coaching career as a student assistant coach at Alabama during the 1997 season, where he worked under defensive backs coach Curley Hallman. After one year on the UA staff, Pruitt joined his father's staff at Plainview High School as defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator in 1998 and 2000. He spent one season as defensive backs coach at the University of West Alabama, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1999.

During his collegiate career, Pruitt played at both Middle Tennessee and Alabama. He began his career at Middle Tennessee under legendary coach Boots Donnelly, where he was a two-year starter at safety and cornerback for the Blue Raiders.

After his sophomore season, Pruitt transferred to Alabama where he spent two seasons under Gene Stallings. As a junior, Pruitt saw time in nine games and recorded seven tackles. As a senior, Pruitt played in seven games as a backup defensive back and was a member of Alabama's 1996 SEC Western Division Championship team that beat Michigan, 17-13, in the Outback Bowl in Tampa.

A two-time all-state defensive back, Pruitt helped Plainview High School to a 48-8 record during his four-year career. He earned all-state honors in both 1991 and 1992.

Pruitt is married to the former Casey East and the couple has one son, Ridge. He also has a son, Jayse.

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