Pete Golding, who was an easy target for Alabama fans this season, has left Alabama for Ole Miss, but who will appease the masses as the next Alabama defensive coordinator?

Paul Finebaum knows of one man who will rally the troops and, at the same time, irk a long-time rival.

“Crazy as it sounds, I think Jeremy Pruitt would probably calm people down,” Finebaum said in a guest appearance on McElroy and Cubelic on JOX 94.5 FM on Monday. “It’s interesting how one name would completely sets the folks up at Tennessee in arms, but, at Alabama, Jeremy Pruitt is comfort food.”

RELATED: Does Saban need Pruitt to rebuild his defense?

Pruitt replaced Kirby Smart as defensive coordinator in Tuscaloosa in 2016. That unit led the nation in scoring defense and rushing defense, and was ranked second in total defense. The following year, Alabama finished the regular season ranked second in total defense and first in scoring defense.

“It’s returning to an era when Alabama’s defense was dominant,” the SEC Network analyst said. “Again, when I say dominant, we’re talking about the top, not ranked in the top.

“All these narratives that people have tried to fight over in the last couple of months are coming to reality.”

The bigger issue, Finebaum contends, is the perception that Alabama coach Nick Saban is somehow falling behind.

“I saw a headline, ‘Can Nick Saban get his mojo back?’ Suddenly, it seems like yesterday Alabama was No. 1 in the country and Alabama was cruising in the preseason. Now, Kirby Smart is going for a three-peat. That’s how quickly things can change.

“Whether it’s reality or not, the perception is Nick Saban is fighting upstream to catch up, to keep his head above water.

“I’m not sure these are correct, whether it’s true or not, the perception is out there.”

Mark Heim is a sports reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.