Kalen DeBoer expected to retain two Alabama assistants, per report
New Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer is expected to retain two assistant coaches from Nick Saban’s 2023 staff. According to ESPN senior writer Chris Low, defensive line coach Freddie Roach and running backs coach Robert Gillespie are likely to remain parts of the Crimson Tide coaching staff after Saban announced he was retiring from coaching earlier this week.
Roach, a former linebacker at Alabama, has been the Tide’s defensive line coach for the last four seasons. Gillespie has served as Alabama’s running backs coach the last three years.
Low also reported that Washington offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard and director of scouting Jerret McElwain are expected to follow DeBoer to Tuscaloosa. BamaOnLine reported Grubb, Shepherd, offensive line coach Scott Huff and tight ends coach Nick Sheridan are also expected to be on DeBoer’s first staff at Alabama.
McElwain is the son of former Tide offensive coordinator Jim McElwain and a graduate of UA. He and Courtney Morgan were key cogs in Washington’s recruiting under DeBoer.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, DeBoer discussed his plans to fill out his coaching staff.
“There will be a touch of Washington in there, but … I understand there needs to be some SEC ties, some southeast ties that can help bridge the gap of maybe my experiences here,” DeBoer said. “There are experiences having been West Coast and Indiana and just some of the recruiting, but I don’t want to lead you on that there’s not every coach’s phone number in my phone right now. Just got to get myself in a spot with the right people are around me.”
Expected members of DeBoer’s Alabama staff
Courtney Morgan, general manager
Jerret McElwain, director of scouting
Ryan Grubb, OC/QB coach
JaMarcus Shephard, WR coach
Scott Huff, OL coach
Nick Sheridan, TE coach
Robert Gillespie, RB coach
Freddie Roach, DL coach
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