Georgia hires FSU’s Pruitt to head defense

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Georgia has hired Jeremy Pruitt from Florida State as defensive coordinator only two days after losing Todd Grantham to Louisville.

Georgia coach Mark Richt said Tuesday he is “ecstatic” to hire Pruitt, who has coached on three straight national championship teams at Alabama and Florida State.

Under Pruitt, Florida State led the nation in scoring defense and ranked third in total defense while winning the national championship in 2013.

Before moving to Florida State, Pruitt was the secondary coach at Alabama for three seasons, including the Crimson Tide’s national championship teams in 2011 and 2012.

With the Feb. 5 national signing day only three weeks away, Richt moved quickly to hire Pruitt, who is known as a strong recruiter.

Grantham left Georgia on Sunday to become Louisville’s defensive coordinator.