LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Alabama defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach Jeremy Pruitt has been named one of five finalists for the 2016 Frank Broyles Assistant Coach of the Year Award, the Frank and Barbara Broyles Foundation announced on Monday. The Broyles Award honors college football's top assistant coach.

Pruitt is in his first year as Alabama's defensive coordinator and oversees a Tide unit that leads the nation in scoring defense (11.4 points per game), rushing defense (68.7 yards per game), three-and-outs (6.17 three-and-outs per game) and defensive touchdowns (9). The Alabama defense has also not allowed a touchdown in its last four games and has not allowed an opponent to run a play inside its 10-yard line in the last 18 quarters of play.

The finalist selection is the second for Pruitt. He was previously a candidate for the honor in 2013 when he was the defensive coordinator at Florida State. Former Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart currently stands as the only Alabama assistant to win the award, which he won in 2009.

The 2016 Broyles Award winner will be announced on Tuesday, December 6th in Little Rock, Ark.

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