Former Alabama administrator Jeff Purinton takes FSU AD job

Florida State officially named former Alabama administrator Jeff Purinton its athletics director on Nov. 9, placing him in charge of a department that must hire a new football coach.

Purinton worked at Alabama for much of Nick Saban’s tenure. He served as football sports information director from 2007 to 2015 before moving through the athletic department, including a stint as executive deputy director of athletics under Greg Byrne from 2021-22.

Saban said when Purinton left Alabama that he relied on him in areas beyond media relations, particularly during the early work of building the football program. Saban also praised Purinton’s ability to plan ahead, handle broad issues and remain calm in high-pressure situations.

Purinton left Alabama to become athletics director at Arkansas State. He remained there until 2025, when he joined Learfield as an executive vice president.

The Florida State role returns Purinton to his alma mater and the place where his career began. He started as a sports information graduate assistant in 1998, later becoming assistant sports information director and director of football communications from 2004-06 under Bobby Bowden.

Florida State president Richard McCullough cited Purinton’s ties to the school and his experience overseeing football operations within Saban’s Alabama program. Purinton said his work with Bowden and Saban shaped his approach to leadership, relationships and representing an institution.

Why it matters

Florida State selected an administrator whose leadership experience includes football oversight during Nick Saban’s Alabama tenure. Purinton now leads an athletic department that must choose its next football coach.

What to watch next

Florida State’s search for a new football coach is the next major decision facing Purinton.