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Alabama Football: 5 potential replacements for Pete Golding

By Dante Pryor

Dec 31, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) defensive back Jordan Battle (9) and quarterback Bryce Young (9) celebrate the victory against the Kansas State Wildcats in the 2022 Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) defensive back Jordan Battle (9) and quarterback Bryce Young (9) celebrate the victory against the Kansas State Wildcats in the 2022 Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt walks during the Vol Walk ahead of a game between Tennessee and Mississippi State in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, October 12, 2019.
Tennessee Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt walks during the Vol Walk ahead of a game between Tennessee and Mississippi State in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, October 12, 2019. /

4. Jeremy Pruitt, former Tennessee head coach

Could Nick Saban consider running it back with his former defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt? It would make a lot of sense. When Pruitt was defensive coordinator at Alabama in 2016-2017, the Tide allowed 13 and 11.9 points per game, respectively. Pruitt has deep ties in the SEC and Alabama.

He graduated from the university and began his coaching career there. Pruitt has deep ties to the SEC, having coached at Georgia and Tennessee. Pruitt’s first stint at Alabama was in 2007 as director of player development. Pruitt recruited Dee Milliner, Dre Kirkpatric, and Mark Barron during that time.

Pruitt was a Broyles Award finalist twice (2012 and 2016). What makes Pruitt an intriguing choice is his work with defensive backs. Alabama’s defensive back development has slipped a bit over the last couple of years, and the 385 yards allowed against Tennessee sticks out like a sore thumb.

Per an article by CBS Sports writer Dennis Dodd, Saban reached out to Pruitt at the time of this article to gauge his interest in the job. Alabama gets a proven commodity who’s had success in Tuscaloosa before. Pruitt knows defense and is a great recruiter. Can you go home again? It appears that Coach Saban seems to think that you can.

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