Paul Finebaum gives telling update on Alabama defensive coordinator search

Paul Finebaum provided some clarity on the ongoing Alabama defensive coordinator search.

When it comes to the Alabama defensive coordinator search, Paul Finebaum notices how deliberate and calculated Nick Saban is being when it comes to replacing Pete Golding.

With Golding leaving for Ole Miss, Saban has a pair of coordinators to replace. While much of the conversation surrounds who replaces Bill O’Brien on the offensive side of things, who returned to the New England Patriots, Finebaum revealed a bit of intel on the defensive coordinator search.

Here is what Finebaum said during his regular news hit with McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning.

"“The coordinator search is not affecting recruiting at all based on what everyone knows. He’s either being very deliberate for a reason and maybe there’s a specific reason? Maybe someone’s not available? Maybe it’s taking longer to go through a process? But I think that’s a natural uneasiness of fans. When it comes to making personnel choices, I would be the last person in America to criticize Nick Saban. He knows how to conduct a coaching search. No one has conducted more, or better, than he has.”"

This parlays very nicely into Saban potentially bringing back Jeremy Pruitt into the building…

"“At this point I’m not really sure exactly who to believe, but the case is nearing its conclusion, so it’s possible that Alabama was simply waiting for an answer and the answer would be from the NCAA to Tennessee. I think way too many people point at the commissioner as the hold up. I’m pretty sure the commissioner has not held up any of these hires in the past.”"

Pruitt has served under Saban twice at his alma mater, but was fired for cause at Tennessee.

So much has changed since Pruitt led the Vols, but once his case reaches resolution, he could return to Tuscaloosa.

Paul Finebaum expounds on the ongoing Alabama defensive coordinator search

Admittedly, it would be a tad controversial for Pruitt to return to his alma mater for a third time. Then again, Saban probably wants a proven commodity and a familiar face at defensive coordinator. He is not getting any younger, and it is not like Georgia is slowing down in the SEC East either. Regardless, Pruitt is one of the better defensive coordinators out there to be had.

Frankly, how Saban goes about hiring his two coordinators will go a long ways towards his quest for a seventh national title at Alabama. Though one would think the Crimson Tide will win one more before Saban hangs up the headset for good, it has been two years since Alabama last won the Natty. Playoff expansion will help their case to win more, but the same principle applies to everyone.

Ultimately, you have to applaud Saban for being deliberate and calculated in his approach to replacing his two coordinators. His coaching tree may still be growing, but bad coordinator hires played a huge part in Pete Carroll’s dynastic run at USC coming to an end well over a decade ago. Regardless, Pruitt would be able to come in and make a huge difference on this Alabama staff.

One would think Alabama will be naming its two coordinators sometime in the coming weeks.

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