ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Jeremy Pruitt says he didn't have to think twice about leaving Florida State for Georgia after he learned coach Mark Richt was looking for a new defensive coordinator.

Pruitt said Wednesday he first met Richt 11 years ago when as a high school coach in Fort Payne, Ala., he brought recruits to Georgia. He says he decided "right then and there" he wanted to work on Richt's staff.

The opportunity came Sunday, when defensive coordinator Todd Grantham left Georgia for a similar position at Louisville. Only two days later, Richt on Tuesday hired Pruitt as Grantham's successor.

In Pruitt's only season as Florida State's defensive coordinator, the Seminoles led the nation in scoring defense and won the 2013 national championship. Pruitt takes over a Georgia defense that struggled last season.