A familiar face is returning to Tuscaloosa.

On Friday coach Nick Saban announced the hiring of Jeremy Pruitt as the new Crimson Tide defensive coordinator to replace Kirby Smart. He previously held the same position at Georgia and served in the same role at Florida State when the Seminoles won the national championship two years ago.

“We are excited to announce that Jeremy Pruitt has rejoined our staff at Alabama as defensive coordinator,” Saban said. “He did an outstanding job in the six years he was with us and did the same at Florida State and Georgia after that. Jeremy is obviously an excellent defensive coach, and also does a great job in terms of recruiting and developing relationships with players. We’re pleased and happy to have Jeremy and his family back in Tuscaloosa.”

Pruitt’s Georgia defense currently ranks eighth nationally in total defense allowing only 298 yards per game. In 2013 his Seminole defense ended the season ranked first for scoring defense allowing only 12.1 points per game, second in passing efficiency and third in total defense allowing only 281.4 ypg.

Before he joined the Seminoles, he served under Saban from 2007-2012. He spent the last three seasons in Tuscaloosa coaching the defensive backs. Before his time in town as a coach he also played as an Alabama defensive back under former coach Gene Stallings for two years in 1995 and 1996.

“This is a special opportunity for me to come back to The University of Alabama,” Pruitt said. “Growing up in the state and having played and coached here, I have a great appreciation for Alabama football. Coach Saban’s success speaks for itself and I wouldn’t be where I am today without the chance he gave me to join his staff back in 2007. We are excited to get back to Tuscaloosa and be a part of one of the outstanding programs in college athletics.”