New York Giants officially announce the hire of Jeremy Pruitt as defensive assistant

Jeremy Pruitt will be coaching defense this fall, but not at the college level. Following an investigation into his staff’s recruiting, Pruitt is untouchable now thanks to some likely incoming NCAA penalties. However, the NFL is fair game — and it didn’t take Pruitt long to find work.

The now former Tennessee head coach has joined the staff of the New York Giants, officially announced today as a senior defensive assistant. Head coach Joe Judge made things official today.

“Jeremy’s going to work with all levels of the defense, the back end, the linebackers and the front,” Judge said via Giants.com. “Jeremy’s another guy that I’ve worked with in the past, I’ve kept in very close contact. Jeremy’s a guy that’s coached on all levels, high school, college and now the NFL, and he’s always impressed me as somebody who’s been able to connect with every player on the field regardless of how they came up, where they’re from geographically — doesn’t matter, Jeremy just has a good knack of connecting with everyone. He’s one of the best teachers I’ve ever been around and it’s been fun to have him in the building and talking ball. I think he’s going to help our staff as far as bringing some new ideas and different ways of running our current schemes.”

Judge isn’t the only connection within the organization to Pruitt. Derek Dooley is also on staff, officially announced as the tight ends coach today. Kevin Sherrer, a former linebackers coach at Tennessee under Pruitt, is now on staff coaching the linebackers with the Giants. Freddie Kitchens, Pruitt’s old friend from his playing days, is on staff as an offensive assistant. Former Tennessee strength coach Craig Fitzgerald is the strength coach.

Needless to say, this was an obvious destination for Pruitt. The question becomes, how long does it last? Pruitt could be facing NCAA penalties over the next year or two before he’s able to make the jump back into the college ranks. You know a certain program in Alabama will be interested once he’s in the clear again.