Jeremy Pruitt has been very busy since being hired by Tennessee on Dec. 7.

While preparing for the College Football Playoff as Alabama’s defensive coordinator, he had to hire a new staff and recruit players to Tennessee. It’s the last part that has earned Pruitt some sympathy from his former Alabama colleague, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart.

During Saturday’s media day for Monday’s championship clash between Alabama and Georgia, Smart said the early signing period of Dec. 20-22 made it harder for Pruitt to pull double duty than when Smart did the same after the 2015 season.

“Yeah, I’ll be honest with you, I sympathize with Jeremy because I think he was in a worse situation because I did not have to deal with the signing day, and the fact that he had to deal with the signing day while there, I wouldn’t wish that — it was probably outside of — I don’t know, it was probably the hardest month of my life trying to deal with the two jobs because you’re trying to hire a staff, run an organization but be loyal to a group of players who helped you get this information,” Smart said.

“Now, mix in a signing date while you’re practicing at another place, that’s unfathomable and I think he’s done a tremendous job of that and he’s done it the right way, which that’s what we do as coaches. We do this because of the kids. He’s not doing it because of a loyalty to Nick. He’s doing it because he thinks it’s the right thing to do for those players, and he’s done a great job of managing it.”

Pruitt appears to be handling it well. Tennessee signed 14 commitments for 2018 during the December signing period. UT’s 2018 class currently ranks No. 16 nationally and No. 5 in the SEC, according to 247 Sports.

After Monday’s championship game, Pruitt will be able to focus completely on the Vols.