Alabama began on-campus football practices Friday for its New Year's Day date against Clemson in the Sugar Bowl.
The Crimson Tide did so without defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, who was introduced nine days ago as the new head coach at Tennessee.
"Coach Pruitt will be back Sunday, and we'll welcome him back," Alabama coach Nick Saban said Friday night in a news conference. "We're certainly happy for the opportunity that he has. He's done a wonderful job for us, and we'll do as much as we can to support him to be able to do what he needs to do to help our players and our team."
"I appreciate what he's doing."
Alabama, which last played in a 26-14 loss at Auburn on Nov. 25, worked indoors for nearly two hours in shoulder pads and shorts. The Crimson Tide will practice again today before taking Sunday off and resuming Monday.
Saban said it's somewhat of a group effort pitching in for Pruitt, who's responsible for the inside linebackers. The effort is being led by third-year outside linebackers coach Tosh Lupoi.
"We're all kind of filling in where we can," Saban said. "We have an intern who has worked with Jeremy all year long, Wes Neighbors, who knows everything that we do and what the guys are supposed to do. Tosh is overseeing it these two days."
Saban announced the hiring of Texas-San Antonio defensive coordinator Pete Golding to his defensive staff for 2018, when the NCAA will allow a 10th assistant coach. Golding has been UTSA's defensive coordinator for two seasons, with his Roadrunners allowing 287.8 yards per game this season, which ranks seventh in the FBS.
UTSA allowed 17.0 points per game this year, ranking eighth nationally.
"Words can't express how excited I am to have the opportunity to work for Coach Saban," Golding said in a release. "It just doesn't get any better for a defensive coach. There is such a rich tradition of success around this program, and I look forward to contributing to that success moving forward."
Golding's specific role has not been announced, and he cannot start working for the Crimson Tide until Jan. 9, the day after the national championship game in Atlanta. Before going to UTSA, he spent two seasons as safeties coach at Southern Miss.
"We'll address staff issues when we get finished playing," Saban said. "I don't have time to do a search, get ready for this game and recruit with this early signing period. There is not enough time in the day."
Saban said outside linebackers Terrell Lewis and Christian Miller are back at full strength and inside linebacker Mack Wilson practiced a significant amount Friday but is not quite at 100 percent. He added that the goal with junior defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (hamstring) is to keep him progressing without a setback.
The only players certain to be out for the Sugar Bowl are inside linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton and defensive back Hootie Jones.
Alabama will turn its attention to Clemson during Tuesday's practice. The Crimson Tide will work through Friday next week before breaking for Christmas.
Tide tidbits
Miller, Jones, inside linebackers Rashaan Evans and Keith Holcombe, receiver Robert Foster and punter JK Scott will be among Alabama's current players going through winter commencement today, and they will be joined by former running back Glen Coffee and former linebacker Rolando McClain. Alabama is scheduled to have two new players today for the rest of on-campus workouts: defensive back Saivion Smith and defensive end Jarez Parks. Smith is from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, while Parks was in the 2017 class but was able to grayshirt.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.