Alabama could promote within in the event it isnāt able to hire Jeremy Pruitt as its next defensive coordinator. While sources continue to tell Tide Illustrated that Pruitt is Nick Sabanās preferred option to lead the defense, defensive analyst Todd Grantham has emerged as a strong possibility for the role should the Crimson Tide have to move on to alternatives.
Last week, Tide Illustrated reported Pruitt visited Alabama and was viewed as the Crimson Tideās top candidate to replace departing defensive coordinator Pete Golding, who left for the same position at Ole Miss. However, complications stemming from the NCAAās ongoing investigation of Pruitt continue to cloud any potential deal, causing Alabama to turn to other options. Pruitt was fired as the head coach of Tennessee two years ago after the NCAA alleged 18 Level I violations against his program.
Georgia co-defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann was thought to be the leading alternative to Pruitt as late as last week. However, sources have since indicated to Tide Illustrated that Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart is now confident in his ability to keep Schumann in Athens.
In addition, there does not appear to be any progression with Alabama and other rumored candidates, including Jimmy Lake or Jim Leonhard.
That appears to leave Grantham as the most likely alternative at the moment. The 56-year-old assistant joined Alabamaās staff as a defensive analyst last summer after spending the previous four seasons as Floridaās defensive coordinator. Grantham also has defensive coordinator experience at Mississippi State (2017), Louisville (2014-16), Georgia (2010-13) and the Cleveland Browns (2005-07). Grantham also has past experience working under Saban, serving as his defensive line coach at Michigan State from 1996-98 before serving as an analyst last season.'
āToddās been a defensive coordinator, in college, in this league (SEC) for a long time," Saban said after adding him as an analyst last year. "So [Grantham] can add significant knowledge and experience on how to help solve some of the issues and problems that we have."
Grantham was fired as Floridaās defensive coordinator in November of 2021 after his units ranked outside the top 50 nationally in total defense for two straight seasons. However, he oversaw a top-10 defense for the Gators in 2019 as well as one at Mississippi State in 2017. He also produced top-10 units at Louisville (2014) and Georgia (2011).
A possible deal between Grantham and Alabama is not viewed as imminent as the Crimson Tide continues to explore its options.
This story will be updated.
Last week, Tide Illustrated reported Pruitt visited Alabama and was viewed as the Crimson Tideās top candidate to replace departing defensive coordinator Pete Golding, who left for the same position at Ole Miss. However, complications stemming from the NCAAās ongoing investigation of Pruitt continue to cloud any potential deal, causing Alabama to turn to other options. Pruitt was fired as the head coach of Tennessee two years ago after the NCAA alleged 18 Level I violations against his program.
Georgia co-defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann was thought to be the leading alternative to Pruitt as late as last week. However, sources have since indicated to Tide Illustrated that Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart is now confident in his ability to keep Schumann in Athens.
In addition, there does not appear to be any progression with Alabama and other rumored candidates, including Jimmy Lake or Jim Leonhard.
That appears to leave Grantham as the most likely alternative at the moment. The 56-year-old assistant joined Alabamaās staff as a defensive analyst last summer after spending the previous four seasons as Floridaās defensive coordinator. Grantham also has defensive coordinator experience at Mississippi State (2017), Louisville (2014-16), Georgia (2010-13) and the Cleveland Browns (2005-07). Grantham also has past experience working under Saban, serving as his defensive line coach at Michigan State from 1996-98 before serving as an analyst last season.'
āToddās been a defensive coordinator, in college, in this league (SEC) for a long time," Saban said after adding him as an analyst last year. "So [Grantham] can add significant knowledge and experience on how to help solve some of the issues and problems that we have."
Grantham was fired as Floridaās defensive coordinator in November of 2021 after his units ranked outside the top 50 nationally in total defense for two straight seasons. However, he oversaw a top-10 defense for the Gators in 2019 as well as one at Mississippi State in 2017. He also produced top-10 units at Louisville (2014) and Georgia (2011).
A possible deal between Grantham and Alabama is not viewed as imminent as the Crimson Tide continues to explore its options.
This story will be updated.
