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Tennessee football: Last four seasons Jeremy Pruitt entered second year in role

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers brings his team onto the field prior to a game against the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers at Neyland Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennesee won the game 59-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers brings his team onto the field prior to a game against the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers at Neyland Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennesee won the game 59-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images /

2. 2011: Alabama Crimson Tide

Defensive Backs Coach

12-1 (7-1); National Champions; No. 1 AP and Coaches

It’s very rare for somebody to climb through the ranks in college ball as quickly as Jeremy Pruitt did, but this is an example of him doing so. In 2011, he was only in his second season serving as defensive backs coach.

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Kirby Smart had been coaching the secondary in addition to his defensive coordinator duties, but he moved over to linebackers in 2010 while Jeremy Pruitt was promoted to coach the secondary. Ironically, future Tennessee football defensive coordinator Sal Sunseri was also a linebackers coach in 2010 and 2011.

Anyway, Pruitt was part of a transition that resulted in a letdown season for the Alabama Crimson Tide. A year after Nick Saban went 14-0 and won a national title, his team stumbled to 10-3 and blew a 24-0 lead to the Auburn Tigers. However, Pruitt did direct a team that led the SEC in passing efficiency.

This year, though, his performance was historically great. Pruitt coached a defense that led the SEC in passing defense and passing efficiency, and they produced three All-Americans in Dre Kirkpatrick, Mark Barron and DeQuan Menzie. He also specifically developed Dee Milliner, who was the first corner off the bench this year but clearly proved he had the most potential.

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Remember, of all the Saban defenses, this is by far the best one he ever had. And the anchor of its success was the secondary, which Pruitt was coaching in his second year. Let’s add in the fact that Pruitt’s best defensive back on this team, Milliner, was relegated to nickel due to lack of experience. This all shows just how elite he can be in a second season.

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