Even coaches must have a next man up mentality.
As much as Jeremy Pruitt wants to devote 100 percent energy into helping the University of Alabama football team win a national championship, he also has a responsibility in recruiting and developing his coaching staff at the University of Tennessee – upon the end of the playoff.
With him out and about, head coach Nick Saban singled-out Wes Neighbors at Friday’s press conference as someone that has been Pruitt’s intern all season.
Along with Neighbors, co-defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi is there to make sure inside linebackers remain focused.
“We are all filling in where we can,” Saban said. “Wes Neighbors knows everything that we do and what the guys are supposed to do. For these two practices that Jeremy’s not going to be here, he’s doing that and Tosh is the other linebackers coach and he is kind of overseeing that.”
Pruitt is scheduled to return to Tuscaloosa on Sunday, to help the Crimson Tide kickoff its game planning for the Tigers. Despite it hiring its 10th position coach in former University of Texas-San Antonio defensive assistant Pete Golding, Alabama wants to send Pruitt off on a high note.
Behind him, the Tide ranks among the nation’s best in multiple defensive categories – including scoring defense and total defense as it has allowed just 11.5 points and 258 yards per game.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
