🏈 Assuming Bama Loses Coach Kirby Smart

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How yall feel about bringing Jeremy Pruitt back as defensive coordinator ? I know it wasnt the best split when he left, but it wasnt the worst either, and he is definitely one of the best young recruiters in the SEC.

What I like is hes not a recruiter that tries to coach, but rather a good coach that can recruit. His D at Georgia is 13th in the nation in PPG, (top ten if you exclude teams from weak divisions) allowing only 17.8 points per game and that is with a young D.

Would love to see Kirby stay. I've actually met Kirby and his family; you will never meet a nicer family, and I feel like Kirby is best right where he is at with CNS, but at some point you have to figure he is gonna try to take on his own program. With all the vacancies opening up around the country it is looking like this might be the year we lose one of the best D-Coordinators in Bama football history unfortunately.

Anyway... what is the pulse of Bama nation regarding Pruitt ? If not Pruitt who ? Pruitt is a Bama boy and he knows the cruiten trails around Bama, Georgia, and Florida as well as anyone.
 
Thinking of Smart leaving hurts my brain. If he leaves, Saban will make a good choice (I started to say "Smart" choice, but you know...). I'll leave these decisions to someone else. Alabama will be in the mix next season due to Saban.

There is one constant in college football: Alabama. Sure, there have been low points, but those high points happen time and time again.

You know, we all think about assistant coaches making the leap to head coach as they advance their careers. What's wrong with being the best defensive coordinator or assistant coach? It's not a given that all assistants want to tackle building their own program. Maybe Smart wants to try his hand. He's earned that right if he wants to do so. Maybe he doesn't. Only Kirby knows his own mind.

RTR
 
I also like Pruitt, but if my memory serves me correct, there was some animosity between him and Saban, causing his departure. Bud Foster at Virginia Tech has done a pretty good job for the Hokies.
 
1) Saban brought Lance Thompson back, I would imagine he wouldn't have a problem bringing Pruitt back either.

2) I don't think Pruitt wants a DC position.... he is too arrogant and I think he believes he is HC material right now, and some poor AD will give him that chance.

3) I would love to have Bud Foster, but I think the Hokies would have him in the mix to take over there as well.

4) If Kirby leaves, and I believe most think he will, I think the most likely scenario is promoting from within, either Tucker or Tosh.

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1) Saban brought Lance Thompson back, I would imagine he wouldn't have a problem bringing Pruitt back either.

2) I don't think Pruitt wants a DC position.... he is too arrogant and I think he believes he is HC material right now, and some poor AD will give him that chance.

3) I would love to have Bud Foster, but I think the Hokies would have him in the mix to take over there as well.

4) If Kirby leaves, and I believe most think he will, I think the most likely scenario is promoting from within, either Tucker or Tosh.

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You may be on to something there with #4. That could have been in the conversation when they were being talked into coming here.
 
You may be on to something there with #4. That could have been in the conversation when they were being talked into coming here.
This.

Both would do a great job. Lupoi has been lights out coaching OLBs, and would translate well to coaching the entire D. Tucker has been a DC before, and he's done a great job with the secondary this year.

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I don't think Kirby leaves unless Jawja opens up.... His life is good, he loves what he does, the bar is way high for a CNS descendant and DCs to HC in a big time program just don't happen much anymore for big money.
 
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I also like Pruitt, but if my memory serves me correct, there was some animosity between him and Saban, causing his departure. Bud Foster at Virginia Tech has done a pretty good job for the Hokies.

Lately, Bud Foster hasn't done a pretty good job for the Hokies. When (not if) Kirby leaves, I believe CNS will be able to pick anyone he wants. Alabama is a great grooming job for someone who wants to be a HC while getting great talent and exposure.
 
I don't think Kirby leaves unless Jawja opens up.... His life is good, he loves what he does, the bar is way high for a CNS descendant and DCs to HC in a big time program just don't happen much anymore for big money.
I still think there are some bitter feelings there, and I have heard through the grapevine that Smart is interested in the USCe job.

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I don't think Kirby leaves. I think he keeps getting raises until Saban retires and takes the reins from Saban. But, if he does leave, Saban will have a great replacement. I belive there are only 2 coaches we can't afford to lose right now, Saban and Cochran, I don't want Cochran and his 4th quarter program going anywhere. That program and the way he implements it, is the driving force behind us being able to "make their ass quit" late in every game, and why Bama usually beats teams twice, i.e LSU
 
I don't think Kirby leaves. I think he keeps getting raises until Saban retires and takes the reins from Saban. But, if he does leave, Saban will have a great replacement. I belive there are only 2 coaches we can't afford to lose right now, Saban and Cochran, I don't want Cochran and his 4th quarter program going anywhere. That program and the way he implements it, is the driving force behind us being able to "make their ass quit" late in every game, and why Bama usually beats teams twice, i.e LSU

Experience has shown that Alabama is not the place for a first time HC. Everyone likes Kirby, but he won't be the HC that follows Saban.
 
I don't think Kirby leaves. I think he keeps getting raises until Saban retires and takes the reins from Saban. But, if he does leave, Saban will have a great replacement. I belive there are only 2 coaches we can't afford to lose right now, Saban and Cochran, I don't want Cochran and his 4th quarter program going anywhere. That program and the way he implements it, is the driving force behind us being able to "make their ass quit" late in every game, and why Bama usually beats teams twice, i.e LSU
Smart and Cochran are leaving together, book it. And it won't make a difference. Although he's a fan favorite, anyone can coach S/C, especially after seeing his formula over the course of the years he has been at Bama.

I fully expect to lose Smart, Kiffin, and Cristobal this year, and those guys likely taking some staff members with them. But as long as we get someone willing to maintain the strong offense, and not get cute, we should be fine... and defense will be just fine regardless.

Because those departures are expected, the only person I would be hurt to see leave is Burns. I don't think he goes anywhere, but the man needs to be making more money or he will find someone willing to pay what he's worth. At least pay him what you're paying Williams.

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Smart and Cochran are leaving together, book it. And it won't make a difference. Although he's a fan favorite, anyone can coach S/C, especially after seeing his formula over the course of the years he has been at Bama.

I fully expect to lose Smart, Kiffin, and Cristobal this year, and those guys likely taking some staff members with them. But as long as we get someone willing to maintain the strong offense, and not get cute, we should be fine... and defense will be just fine regardless.

Because those departures are expected, the only person I would be hurt to see leave is Burns. I don't think he goes anywhere, but the man needs to be making more money or he will find someone willing to pay what he's worth. At least pay him what you're paying Williams.

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Don't think they leave together, maybe, but don't think so.Kirby had no h/c experience, so I don't think he will land a big school job, if he doesn't land the big school job, not sure where ever he goes could afford him and Cochran plus the other staff. I agree kiffin and Cristobal are gone.
 
Don't think they leave together, maybe, but don't think so.Kirby had no h/c experience, so I don't think he will land a big school job, if he doesn't land the big school job, not sure where ever he goes could afford him and Cochran plus the other staff. I agree kiffin and Cristobal are gone.

Cochran may be the highest paid S&C coach in the country. The schools that have open HC positions won't pay him enough to leave. Kirby has been picky the last few years and should be. He too demands high $ to make a move worthwhile. I'm torn on Cristobal. He's a southeastern guy. I don't see him going to a cold weather state. Kiffin, I think, is ready to go but is there a job appealing enough to leave. USCw won't hire him. Miami has too many issues. I don't think he's a cold weather guy either. Several dominos will need to fall in place. Maybe he goes to a program that loses its coach to one of the current openings.
 
I don't think Kirby leaves. I think he keeps getting raises until Saban retires and takes the reins from Saban. But, if he does leave, Saban will have a great replacement. I belive there are only 2 coaches we can't afford to lose right now, Saban and Cochran, I don't want Cochran and his 4th quarter program going anywhere. That program and the way he implements it, is the driving force behind us being able to "make their ass quit" late in every game, and why Bama usually beats teams twice, i.e LSU

I don't want to lose Bo Davis either.

Burton Burns?????????
 
To the original question, I believe the scuttlebutt on their disagreement in philosophy was on the read/react approach (Saban's) versus the stunt/blitz approach (Pruitt). I don't think he comes back unless Richt is done, and I'd be surprised even then.

If Kirby and Cochran are a package deal (and I've heard that a number of times), Smart better be at a marquee program or Cochran has no upside in pay. I'm not sure UGA would bring in Smart, but we can see how that goes - possible Pruitt survives the cutover in this case, but unlikely.

Here's an unlikely if we lose Cristobal. OL coach Miles? More likely than a Sunseri return, in my opinion.

It's a fun time of year. It'll be more fun to discuss once we have the NC trophy.

RTR,

Tim
 
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