FSU finally has a defensive coordinator

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It's been nearly three weeks since Mark Stoops announced he was leaving FSU to become Kentucky's head coach but it appears as though Jimbo Fisher finally has a new defensive coordinator.

On Saturday word began to leak out that Alabama defensive backs coach Jeremy Pruitt, who interviewed for the position last Friday, had accepted the job. The Alabama Press-Register and TideSports.com's Andrew Bone reported the news very early Sunday morning.

It hasn't been officially announced but it is likely that Pruitt won't join the FSU coaching staff full-time until after Alabama plays its national championship game against Notre Dame on Jan. 7.

The 38-year old has made a quick rise up the coaching charts since coaching defense at Hoover High School in 2006. After taking on the role of Alabama's director of player development in 2007, Pruitt was named the Tide's defensive back coach in 2010. That was his first full-time college coaching job. Less than three years later the Alabama native is set to take over as the Seminoles' defensive coordinator.

On Saturday afternoon after practice Fisher wasn't quite ready to announce his new defensive coordinator but was clearly excited about his selection.

"I'm exactly where I want to be right now," said Fisher. "We're in good shape. We are in real good shape."

So when will Pruitt be officially announced as Florida State's defensive coordinator?

"I will announce it when all things are appropriate for all parties," noted Fisher before the news broke.

As with most of Fisher's coaching hires Pruitt has a reputation as a top-notch recruiter. One service even named him the nation's top recruiter last February.

Pruitt becomes only the third FSU defensive coordinator in the last 28 years and will have some big shoes to fill. Mark Stoops took over a struggling defense that ranked 108 in total defense to one that currently ranks fifth in the nation. Before that Mickey Andrews helped Bobby Bowden secure two national championships and earned the reputation as one of college football's all-time great defensive coordinators.

While expectations will be high for Pruitt the cupboard is hardly bare. Not counting any incoming players from the 2013 recruiting class, the Seminole defense could have up to six former five-star recruits and an additional eight players ranked in the Rivals250 or higher on the roster in 2013.