Nick Saban reacts to Jeff Purinton's departure from Alabama

For 15 years, Jeff Purinton served on Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne’s executive staff under several titles before being promoted to Executive Deputy Athletics Director in 2021. Now, he’s set to serve as athletics director at Arkansas State, it was announced Wednesday.

Alabama head football coach Nick Saban addressed the departure of one of his key football administrators, noting that Purinton leaving the program is just another reason why Alabama is a great university to be part of.

“I always say that the number one thing that makes our organization special is the people. In terms of our staff and administration, Jeff would be one of those people I’m talking about. He works extremely hard, he thinks ahead and is proactive when you deal with any big picture issues, and he does it with a positive attitude. Anytime we’ve had to deal with a high pressure or stressful situation, he’s calm and doesn’t get flustered in those moments.

“We hired Jeff in the summer of my first year (2007) at Alabama in large part because he brought great outside perspective and had really strong national relationships. I relied on Jeff often, especially those first few years, in areas beyond just the media in terms of building the football program to where it is now. He moved up in terms of his administrative role here and has done an outstanding job as our football oversight. I don’t have any doubt Jeff will make an outstanding AD for Arkansas State.”

In a joint statement released by the university and Purinton, the longtime Alabama athletics staffer explained his decision on why he decided to leave Tuscaloosa for the Red Wolves, noting that is was the right time for him to move on and secure his first AD job at a college program.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to be named the next Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics at Arkansas State University,” said Purinton. “Thank you to System President Chuck Welch and everyone involved in the search process. It was handled in a first-class manner all the way through. I definitely had an interest when I got the first call about it, and after I had a chance to sit down and talk in-person with Chuck and Brad (Phelps), I was certain Arkansas State was a school I wanted to be a part of.

“They were genuine and authentic, and you felt a trust with them right off the bat. I felt like it was the right place and the right timing, but most importantly the chance to work with the right people.”