This isn’t a thread for those who want to bash/celebrate- some of y'all have done that in other threads- so stay in those, if you feel the need to continue.
Most, if not all, know that Alabama fired OL coach Chris Kapilovic on Friday. Below is what I’ve learned, plus some overall thoughts (understand some will have a different opinion).
Will Coach Kap stay on the staff in some capacity?
Any speculation of Kap moving to an off-the-field role at Alabama is not true. He wasn’t offered that opportunity and would have declined if so. Expect him to coach somewhere next year, if not sooner. Could possibly make a move to the NFL.
Why did Kap get fired now? How long has he known?
I think the obvious answer is bc of the portal. It opened the day after the loss to Indiana and UA was still working on guys this week. He went on the road for HS recruiting during it and was even scheduling visits as of Friday afternoon for next week, per a few HS coaches in the Northeast. There was chatter and speculation after the loss to Indiana, but according to a few sources close to the team, Kap had been told recently he would return for 2026.
One source, along with a few parents, told me that Kap was stunned by the news, given his full expectations of returning after recent conversations. It may have been Alabama’s plan, or a recent change of heart, but Kap learned of the news after returning to Tuscaloosa in a meeting with Coach DeBoer on Friday afternoon- not anytime before, as many have thought.
Alabama is one week out from its first Junior Day. Probably a good chance it will have an OL coach before then. Maybe not, but it seems ideal. Most of its current OL targets, however, won’t visit until the spring. Five-star OL Caden Moss (who Kap said on Tuesday) and in-state OL Jatori Williams (who he saw on Friday) are on the books for next week. We’ll check to see if they still plan to attend.
So who will the next coach be?
Not sure yet, even though there is plenty of online speculation. It won’t surprise me if they potentially bring in a main OL coach and an assistant. Seeing that a lot more. One source said they could bring in one with NFL experience (doesn’t mean they will or that he’ll be the main OL coach).
On recruiting:
Kap was great recruiter- zero doubt about it. I talk to a lot of families/HS coaches, recruits, etc...and why many want to believe recruiting/relationships don’t matter anymore because of $- they still do. Michael Carroll, for instance, stuck with Alabama last year rather than taking more $ from others bc of that connection. I don’t think it mattered as much when he re-signed, but getting those guys signed and in the door is a big part of it. I am interested to see how the ’27 class turns out and who ends up still taking OVs. You had guys like Maxwell Hiller, Albert Simien, Ismael Camara, Jake Hildebrand, etc...very high on Alabama with Kap playing a significant factor. Up to the new guy to establish those relationships or new ones. Keep in mind- Kap coaching at Michigan State was the reason Bama was able to get Carroll. You hope to get someone who has that type of player in his back pocket.
On team:
Offensive philosophy changed. He was a teacher, but also one who followed the instructions of DeBoer/Grubb regarding what they wanted from the OL and the type of players to pursue. They had the OL that was left from the previous staff- with several not fitting what they wanted to do.
The OL was a weak point- we all know, but it’s a collective effort from blocking schemes, play calls, RBs reading holes, TEs blocking, WRs getting open, QBs making quicker decisions. Everyone on offense is held accountable- not just one position group/coach as some want to believe.
One source said, "Kap was great off the field, but was very old-school when it came to coaching- tough on the kids in practice. More so than others. He’s a coach who was perfect for the 90s until the NIL/Portal era hit, but some of these kids just have a harder time responding to that kind of coaching today. He also wasn’t the one who got to decide the starting line-up or was responsible for the in-game rotations throughout the season, but ultimately it fell on him with the way it looked the last two years."
Alabama now has the ones they recruited and wanted in this system. So...a new OL coach/new OL- let’s hope there is a significant difference. Might be some growing pains at the start of the year with a lot of fresh faces playing together for the first time. Time will tell...
Negativity attacks from fans:
At least the vocal ones had Kap at the top of their hit list. I know he put a lot into Alabama in a tough time right after Saban retired. Remember, this is a husband/father and one who worked about 680 days (give or take) for the program (was here around 706), with the staff working most weekends. If a coach gets fired, he gets fired. Dancing on his grave, constantly posting about when he's getting fired, and of course, so many on social media who tag him/trash him, IMO, is pretty sad- coaches don’t get to post- when are we getting fired from our jobs.
Those who get fired after one year who are disappointing- I get it, especially if they can’t recruit well, but for those who spent a few seasons and did as well as possible on the recruiting front, they don’t deserve that much hate from fans, IMO. I, as an Alabama fan for 40 years, respect what he did for the program, but I wish the OL performed much better. I’m sure he did too.
So best of luck to him in the next spot. He’ll get a role somewhere- it just won’t be UA.
My two cents...
i respect the hell out of the men that coach the hogs for a living. Man in the arena stuff
