Alabama names Jeremy Pruitt defensive coordinator

After two seasons as Georgia's defensive coordinator, Jeremy Pruitt is returning to Alabama to fill the same position with the Crimson Tide, the school announced Friday.

Pruitt spent six years on Nick Saban's staff in various positions including defensive backs coach before stops as a defensive coordinator at Florida State and Georgia.

In an interesting swap, the 41-year-old replaces Kirby Smart who left the Tide to take the head-coaching position with the Bulldogs. He was one of the nation's highest-paid assistant coaches under Mark Richt, commanding an annual salary of $1.3 million, but was not retained as Smart builds his coaching staff.

Despite the Bulldogs ranking eighth in the country in total defense this season, the move represents an upgrade, as Alabama's dominant unit trailed only Boston College for top spot in the nation.