Two holdovers from Nick Saban’s final staff have been promoted by Alabama football.
The official announcement of Kalen DeBoer’s first coaching staff in Tuscaloosa has finally begun for Alabama football.
The UA Athletics confirmed two long-expected promotions to the only on-field coaching positions held by holdovers from Nick Saban’s final staff, more than a month after he was formally hired on January 12.
Ahead of his fifth season, Freddie Roach, who was formerly the defensive line coach for the Alabama Tide, added the position of associate head coach. After four seasons as the running backs’ coach, Robert Gillespie is currently an assistant head coach.
Raisings are probably in store for both roles. With respect to assistant coach salaries, Roach made $775,000 and Gillespie made $625,000, placing them 120th and 177th, respectively, in USA Today’s database.
The terms of DeBoer’s new contract, which is anticipated to be worth more than $10 million a year, and UA’s new contracts are still to be announced. Alabama announced in a press release that Roach and Gillespie had been promoted, adding that the University’s Board of Trustees had been “notified” of the agreements but had not yet given their formal approval.
“After meeting both of these guys, it was very clear to me that keeping Freddie and G as part of the staff was going to be important to our success,” stated DeBoer in a statement released by the program. These guys are among the best coaches in the nation, they get along well with our players, and they are excellent recruiters.
DeBoer sought influences from Alabama and Washington, and his first staff seems to reflect that mix. Nick Sheridan, a former tight ends coach for the Huskies, is supposedly moving up to offensive coordinator following Ryan Grubb’s trade to the Seattle Seahawks. Along with him to the NFL was Grubb’s expected offensive line coach, Scott Huff.
The remaining Alabama coaches, according to several
Linebackers’ coach and defensive coordinator Kane Wommack
Maurice Linguist, co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs
Colin Hitschler, co-defensive coordinator and defensive back
Wide receiver JaMarcus Shephard
Inge William (linebackers)
Jay Nunez with the special teams
Roach played for the Tide from 2002 to 2005, then made several stops around the Southeastern Conference. Following three years at North Carolina, Gillespie joined Saban and company prior to the 2021 campaign. Gillespe will be in his 19th season as a coach this autumn.
What is the current state of Alabama football under Kalen DeBoer, one month later?
Report: Nick Sheridan will become the offensive coordinator for Alabama football.
Reports: Ryan Grubb to leave Alabama to become offensive coordinator for Seattle Seahawks
Who lost Alabama football in the transfer portal following the retirement of Nick Saban?
Kalen DeBoer’s on-field staff is reportedly filled by Alabama, but two questions remain.
