For those of you who say Coach Pruitt was only good as defensive coordinator at his other stops because he had all the talent in the world to work with, let's examine his stop at UGA where he was called upon to fix their struggling defense.
2013 (year before Pruitt) UGA averaged giving up 227.9 pass yards per game, 157.8 rush yards per game, 385.8 total yards per game, and 29.0 points per game on defense.
2014 (arrival of Pruitt) UGA's pass yards per game went down to 170.4, rush yards increased slightly to 166.8, their total yards went down to 337.2, and their points given up decreased 9 points per game to 20.7.
2015 (year 2 of Pruitt) UGA's pass yards per game went down to 156.5, rush yards went down to 149.0, total yards decreased to 305.5 per game, and points given up fell to 16.9 per game.
In 2 years, their points given up per game was nearly cut in half from 29 down to 16, they gave up 71.4 less yards through the air, 8.8 less rushing yards per game, and 80.3 less total yards per game.
Also, it's clearly a fact that the defenses at Florida State and Alabama haven't been the same since he left.
The man clearly knows defense. He knows how to win championships when he has the talent and knows how to improve struggling defense. What he needs is talent, depth, and a chance to develop it and coach it up.
We don't have to have signing classes full of 4 and 5 stars. There are plenty of 3 stars who can be coached into very productive players. The NFL is littered with former 3 stars. Coach Pruitt will get his share of 4 stars in upcoming classes, but don't fret over 3 stars. It's all about how they fit his system and how he thinks he can develop them.
Give him time, and we're going to be fine on defense.
Now, as far as the offense goes. After watching Jarrett Guarantano on the sidelines last night, I have a feeling he's already made up his mind about transferring out after this year. I think he's already told his teammates and coaches too.
We've found ourselves a quarterback in Brian Maurer. The defense he went against last night isn't chopped liver. That kid has an arm and more importantly has that fire about him that lifts his teammates on both sides of the ball. He's going to be a special player here. Throw in Harrison Bailey into the mix, and we're going to be very good at that position.
Another unit that has really improved is the O-Line. This corps is looking good with the addition of Mays and others who are committed right now.
At RB, I see Ty Chandler coming back next season. Pair him up with a bigger, stronger Eric Gray and the bruising Tee Hodge running behind an even better line, and I think we have a good rushing attack.
Losing Jennings and Calloway is going to hurt. We need to sign a couple of blue chippers who can contribute early. I wouldn't mind seeing Alontae Taylor moved to that side of the ball, either.
Anyway you cut it, we're a struggling team right now who's growing in places and thin in others.
Give it time
2013 (year before Pruitt) UGA averaged giving up 227.9 pass yards per game, 157.8 rush yards per game, 385.8 total yards per game, and 29.0 points per game on defense.
2014 (arrival of Pruitt) UGA's pass yards per game went down to 170.4, rush yards increased slightly to 166.8, their total yards went down to 337.2, and their points given up decreased 9 points per game to 20.7.
2015 (year 2 of Pruitt) UGA's pass yards per game went down to 156.5, rush yards went down to 149.0, total yards decreased to 305.5 per game, and points given up fell to 16.9 per game.
In 2 years, their points given up per game was nearly cut in half from 29 down to 16, they gave up 71.4 less yards through the air, 8.8 less rushing yards per game, and 80.3 less total yards per game.
Also, it's clearly a fact that the defenses at Florida State and Alabama haven't been the same since he left.
The man clearly knows defense. He knows how to win championships when he has the talent and knows how to improve struggling defense. What he needs is talent, depth, and a chance to develop it and coach it up.
We don't have to have signing classes full of 4 and 5 stars. There are plenty of 3 stars who can be coached into very productive players. The NFL is littered with former 3 stars. Coach Pruitt will get his share of 4 stars in upcoming classes, but don't fret over 3 stars. It's all about how they fit his system and how he thinks he can develop them.
Give him time, and we're going to be fine on defense.
Now, as far as the offense goes. After watching Jarrett Guarantano on the sidelines last night, I have a feeling he's already made up his mind about transferring out after this year. I think he's already told his teammates and coaches too.
We've found ourselves a quarterback in Brian Maurer. The defense he went against last night isn't chopped liver. That kid has an arm and more importantly has that fire about him that lifts his teammates on both sides of the ball. He's going to be a special player here. Throw in Harrison Bailey into the mix, and we're going to be very good at that position.
Another unit that has really improved is the O-Line. This corps is looking good with the addition of Mays and others who are committed right now.
At RB, I see Ty Chandler coming back next season. Pair him up with a bigger, stronger Eric Gray and the bruising Tee Hodge running behind an even better line, and I think we have a good rushing attack.
Losing Jennings and Calloway is going to hurt. We need to sign a couple of blue chippers who can contribute early. I wouldn't mind seeing Alontae Taylor moved to that side of the ball, either.
Anyway you cut it, we're a struggling team right now who's growing in places and thin in others.
Give it time
