Georgia Football: Pruitt May Be Out
The Georgia football team’s turmoil continues to add more layers as the days go on.
Before the Alabama game, Georgia had zero problems. Their quarterback was playing better than average, they had one of the best players in the country in Nick Chubb, the defense was getting the job done and no players had been arrested.
Que the loss to Bama and put Chubb’s gruesome injury in Knoxville front and center. Sprinkle in third-string quarterback Faton Bauta taking over the reigns for Greyson Lambert against Florida, and one could say that is enough problems for one season.
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Not so fast my friend. Bauta threw four picks in a blowout loss to the Gators, and the offense was worse than they ever had been in recent memories.
Now, let’s shift the focus to this week. This week may perhaps be the worst of it all. First, two freshman were arrested for misdemeanor marijuana charges and suspended for Saturday’s bout against Kentucky. Then, there was news that Bauta is now practicing with the defense and taking reps at safety (believe it or not). And then the bombshell hit.
Multiple sources have started reporting that Jeremy Pruitt may be on his way out as defensive coordinator. According to Dan Wolken of USA Today, “regardless of the ultimate decision in Richt this time, defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt almost certainly will not be back, as his relationship with Richt and Georgia administrators has grown toxic.”
This may come as a shock to some, but let’s dig deeper into this. Pruitt is a ‘ra-ra’ in your face kind of coach. He expects everything out of his players, and he usually gets every ounce of talent out of them. He is a proven winner and a disciple of Mr. Hardnose himself, Nick Saban.
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Richt on the other hand is the Netflix and chill type. He is the ultimate player’s coach. Rarely does he show emotion on the sideline besides an ever-so-often golf clap when things are going well.
The tension between the two coaches stems from their contrast in coaching style and philosophy. Richt may see Pruitt as a threat in terms of who has more power on the team.
It is hard-pressed to convince many Georgia fans, especially right now, that Richt’s way of doing things is superior to Pruitt’s. The defensive-minded coach has won everywhere he has been, including in the high schools ranks.
Those three titles at Alabama were no joke, and neither was his one in Tallahassee in his only year at the school. He resurrects defenses. Plain and simple.
Richt won two titles as an assistant at Florida State. The only difference is he did not have the immediate turnaround that Pruitt did. Maybe he is better suited as an offensive coordinator.
If Georgia gets rid of Pruitt now or at the end of the season, they will be making the biggest mistake in recent years. It would make more sense to keep both Richt and Pruitt than to just fire Pruitt. Something crazy is going on in Athens, and it all smells like doom for the future.