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Report: Alabama co-defensive coordinator, DB coach Colin Hitschler will not return in 2025

Stephen Samraby: Steve Samra01/03/25SamraSource
Colin Hitschler
Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK

Alabama co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Colin Hitschler will not return to the Crimson Tide next year, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. The news came early on Friday.

“Sources: Alabama co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Colin Hitschler has been informed he will not return to the Crimson Tide next year,” Thamel reported, via X. “He has a year remaining on his initial two-year contract.”

The 38-year-old defensive coach was hired by Kalen DeBoer after spending 2023 with the Wisconsin Badgers. Prior, Hitschler spent multiple seasons with the Cincinnati Bearcats, and the South Alabama Jaguars.

Evidently, DeBoer was far from pleased with the way the Alabama defense played during his inaugural season in Tuscaloosa. A number of SEC opponents played some impressive offense against a historically staunch Crimson Tide defensive unit, from Georgia almost completing a historic comeback and falling just a short, to Vanderbilt’s massive upset victory in which they dropped 40 on Alabama’s head.

In addition to Hitschler, Alabama has employed Kane Wommack as their defensive coordinator over the past season. At the moment, he figured to return for DeBoer and company, but Hitschler will be moving on from the Crimson Tide.

All told, the way Alabama finished out the 2024 campaign has left a bad taste in the mouth of all Crimson Tide fans. The program seemed destined for the College Football Playoff, but a loss to Oklahoma on the road by 21 points threw a wrench into everything. They still had a shot after defeating Auburn in the Iron Bowl, but Clemson knocked the Crimson Tide to the curb by winning the ACC title, and SMU was chosen over DeBoer’s squad.

Then, Alabama suffered a shocking loss to the Michigan Wolverines by a score of 19-13 in the ReliaQuest Bowl. They raced out to a 16-0 lead, shell-shocking the Crimson Tide and never looked back. It was a chance to end their campaign on a high note, and Alabama squandered it once again.

Moving forward, more is going to be expected of Kalen DeBoer and the Alabama Crimson Tide. Colin Hitschler just won’t be there to see it through next season.