TUSCALOOSA, Alabama — Alabama coach Nick Saban said assistant coach Jeremy Pruitt will remain with the team through the BCS National Championship Game, even though Pruitt has accepted the Florida State defensive coordinator’s job.
“Jeremy has done a really good job here,” Saban said. “He’s grown up in the program here. We’re happy for him and we wish him well. He will stay here and coach the bowl game, which I don’t really feel is an issue or problem. He’s a guy that played at Alabama. He loves Alabama. It’s tough for him to leave Alabama. But it’s a professional decision that I think he had to make.”
Florida State announced Pruitt’s hiring Thursday. According to multiple published reports, Pruitt will receive a salary of about $540,000 before bonuses. His salary at Alabama for 2012 was $260,000.
Pruitt, 38, joined the Crimson Tide in 2007 as director of player development after serving three seasons as Hoover High’s defensive coordinator. Pruitt was promoted to Alabama’s defensive backs coach in 2010.
“This is a great opportunity for me to join another one of the top college football programs in the country and take over as defensive coordinator for one of the best defenses out there,” Pruitt said in a news release by FSU. “I really appreciate Coach (Jimbo) Fisher and his staff in welcoming me to the Seminole family. I’ve enjoyed my time at Alabama and am grateful to Coach Saban and my Crimson Tide family for their support in preparing me as I begin the next chapter in my coaching career.”
Pruitt played at Middle Tennessee State before transferring to Alabama and playing defensive back under Gene Stallings in 1995-96.
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