Former Bucs coach named defensive coordinator at FSU

A former member of the Hoover High coaching staff has been tapped as the next defensive coordinator for the Florida State Seminoles.

On Dec. 20, FSU Head Football Coach Jimbo Fisher confirmed the hiring of Jeremy Pruitt, most recently the defensive backs coach for the University of Alabama and one of the top recruiters on Nick Saban’s staff. Pruitt will replace Mark Stoops, who left FSU this year to be head coach at the University of Kentucky.

"I'm very excited to add Jeremy to our staff," Fisher said in a release on seminoles.com. "He brings a lot to the table. He's one of the bright young coaches in college football. He's done an outstanding job at Alabama and in the past as a great high school coach. He's also a good recruiter, but most importantly of all, he's a great person. I'm really looking forward to him coming to Florida State and helping us to continue achieving the success that we've had and will continue to have. We're very fortunate to be adding him to our program."

 Pruitt served as defensive coordinator for the Hoover High Buccaneers from 2004-2006, and during that time the team’s record was 42-3. The Bucs made three trips to the AHSAA 6A State Championship in that span and won two. According to the the Alabama High School Football Historical Society, Pruitt’s defenses allowed an average of only 14 points per game.

Pruitt joined the Crimson Tide in 2007 as director of player development and became 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. "I really appreciate Coach 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."