The door is open for former Tennessee Vols head coach Jeremy Pruitt to return to the SEC.

Kinda.

Alabama is reportedly moving on from defensive coordinator Pete Golding, who is leaving to become the new defensive coordinator at Ole Miss.

Crimson Tide fans have been clamoring for Pruitt's return to Tuscaloosa for several weeks now.

Pruitt served as Nick Saban's defensive coordinator in 2016 and 2017 before landing in Knoxville. He also worked for Saban from 2007 to 2012 at Alabama.

SOURCE: Alabama DC Pete Golding is expected to become the new defensive coordinator at Ole Miss. The 38-year-old Golding has been the Tide's DC since 2018. The move was first reported by @ClowESPN.

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) January 13, 2023

Pruitt didn't have success as a head coach, but he's an elite defensive coordinator.

The one problem, of course, is the NCAA investigation that got Pruitt fired at Tennessee.

Pruitt nor Tennessee have been hit with any penalties yet, but it wouldn't be a surprise if Pruitt gets hit with a show-cause penalty.

If that's the case, then Saban almost certainly won't hire him. And I don't think Saban would hire Pruitt without knowing if the NCAA is going to hit him with a major penalty.

There's always a chance that maybe Pruitt doesn't get hit with a penalty. We just don't know yet how that will play out.

If the NCAA clears him, though, then I would be shocked if Saban doesn't bring him back to Alabama in some capacity.

Jeremy Pruitt, via @DawgNation and @MikeGriffith32, was incredibly objective while talking about Tennessee this season, despite his heart still being all Bama as he admits here. pic.twitter.com/NCz3dDak9V

— zach ragan (@zachTNT) January 11, 2023

Pruitt would definitely make Alabama a better team — he's absolutely a better defensive coordinator than Golding — but he's still in college football purgatory right now due to the NCAA investigation.

One thing to remember is that Saban doesn't let Golding walk without knowing his next move. I'm not saying he has a hire lined up, but I bet he has a good idea of who it will be.

And if Pruitt is able to coach in college next season, I'd bet good money on him being on Alabama's sideline in 2023.

Featured image via Matt Pendleton via Imagn Content Services, LLC