'It's a pretty special event': Pruitt Reflects on His Time in the 'Third Saturday in October' Rivalry
Not many individuals get the chance to see one of football's biggest rivalries from multiple different angles. Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt is in that rare group.
Before his coaching career every had a glimmer of hope, Pruitt was an Alabama native attempting to gain his footing as a player at Middle Tennessee State. After playing under Hall of Fame coach Boots Donnelly for two seasons, he transferred home to the University of Alabama prior to his junior year.
Little did he know, that decision would propel him in a completely different direction.
Appearing in 16 total games during his junior and senior seasons, Pruitt transitioned to a coaching role as a graduate assistant for the 1997 season before going on to serve in numerous roles for various high school programs across Alabama.
His most notable high school gig was as the defensive coordinator at Hoover High School from 2005-2006, where he became a fixture on the hit MTV show "Two-A-Days."
It wasn't until prior to the 2007 season did Pruitt re-join the Crimson Tide as Director of Player Development, eventually transitioning to the defensive backs coach following Alabama's 2009 season that culminated in a national championship.
It was from that point on that Pruitt began to ascend the coaching ranks and eventually become of the best defensive minds in college football. When he took the job as Florida State's defensive coordinator under Jimbo Fisher prior to the 2013 season, there were many questions swirling around the decision.
Those were quickly put to bed when the Seminoles began producing results, and those didn't all come courtesy of Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jameis Winston.
Florida State ended the season with the nation's top-ranked scoring defense after allowing just 12.1 points per game. It also ranked third in the country in total defense.
After his lone season in Tallahassee, Pruitt ventured back into the SEC, joining the Georgia staff as defensive coordinator.
The Bulldogs didn't win any championships during his tenure, but his defenses were among the nation's most stingiest, allowing the fewest passing yards per game in 2015 and finishing in the top 20 in total defense in both seasons under Pruitt's watch.
Returning to Nick Saban's staff once again in 2016, the Rainsville, Alabama native picked up right where he left off. Replacing Kirby Smart, who went on to take the head coaching job at Georgia, the Crimson Tide didn't lose any steam on that side of the ball.
Alabama's defense finished first in both rushing and scoring defense during the 2016 season and ranked third overall in total defense.
2017 brought in much of the same results, with Pruitt's unit placing second in total defense and first in scoring defense, holding opponents to just under 12 points per game.
Oct 20, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Jeremy Pruitt coaching against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium. Alabama defeated the Vols 58-21. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Having now experienced both sides of the Tennessee-Alabama rivalry, Pruitt has come to discover a newfound appreciation for one of college football's most historic rivalry games.
“Well, if you know anything about this rivalry, which I do, anybody that’s been associated with this rivalry over their lifetime know it’s a pretty special event or ballgame," Pruitt said. "Whether you’re on the Tennessee side or the Alabama side, kind of all the old heads so to speak, this is the rivalry, this is the game."
"The game" hasn't produced favorable results for the Tennessee fans in quite some time. In fact, the Vols haven't beaten the Crimson Tide since 2006. That game, a low-scoring affair that saw seventh-ranked UT edge Alabama 16-13 in Knoxville, had a completely different feel compared to those of recent memory.
The Crimson Tide have rattled off 12 consecutive victories over Tennessee since then and that trend doesn't appear to be ending any time soon.
That hasn't stopped the Vols' leading man from stepping back for a moment of reflection ahead of his team's trip to Tuscaloosa this weekend. Even with a long week of preparation ahead, Pruitt isn't taking the opportunity for granted.
Having participated in numerous roles, the appreciation has only been heightened since he arrived in Knoxville.
"I grew up watching it, I had the opportunity to play in it, I’ve had an opportunity to coach in it - now on both sides," Pruitt said. "So this week does kind of get you going right there."
Despite taking a moment to appreciate his past experiences, it was just that, a moment.
As Pruitt wrapped up his Monday press conference and headed back into the Anderson Training Center, he immediately shifted his focus to the task at hand: game planning for Saban's explosive unit.
"Alabama is probably one of the best teams in the country, obviously." Pruitt said. "Coach Saban continues to do a fantastic job."
