Alabama football coach, Nick Saban has been busy. Even without any official announcements, it has been widely reported the Tide has five new coaches. Check out the backgrounds of the two latest additions.
Three days Bama Hammer discussed new Alabama football coaches. At that time the new hires totaled three, Steve Sarkisian, Sal Sunseri and Kyle Flood. None of the new staff additions had been officially announced but all appeared locked into new opportunities working for Nick Saban.
The pace picked up Sunday with two more names being widely reported as new hires for the 2019 staff. The most recent additions are Charles Kelly and Charles Huff. Again, there has been no official announcement but Kelly and Huff appear to be done deals.
Charles Kelly is perhaps the better known of the two. He is leaving Tennessee to join the Crimson Tide. Prior to working for Jeremy Pruitt last season, Kelly was the Defensive Coordinator at Florida State. Kelly is an Alabama native, played at Auburn and coached at Jacksonville State early in his career. He has coached defensive backs, linebackers and special teams players in his career. He spent seven seasons on the Georgia Tech staff before going to FSU. Some insiders believe Kelly will become co-DC for the Crimson Tide.
The most recent Alabama football staff addition is Charles Huff. Huff had worked under Joe Morehead for three seasons, two at Penn State and this past season at Mississippi State. His specialty is running backs and he is expected to assume the same role for Alabama football. Huff’s highest profile star pupil was Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley. There is some insider chatter Huff might be in line for a co-OC role with the Crimson Tide.
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Adding Huff to the Alabama football staff means Joe Punninzio can be reassigned. Pannunzio has considerable special teams and tight ends coaching experience. There has been a rumor Pannunzio is interested in moving into an off-field role on Saban’s staff.
Another name surfaced on Sunday night as a possible hire as wide receivers coach. Virginia Tech assistant coach Holmon Wiggins may also interview with the Crimson Tide.
Holman has been wide receivers coach for the Hokies for three seasons. He is from Los Angeles and played football at New Mexico. Prior to being in Blacksburg, he was the wide receivers coach at Memphis for three seasons. he has also coached running backs in stints at Illinois State and Tulsa.
The open Tide wide receiver coaching slot had appeared to be going to either Lance Taylor or Butch Jones. Now Nick Saban has three coaches from which to choose. Hokies’ fans believe Holman will join Temple as Offensive Coordinator.
The latest on the recruiting trail is a visit with Crimson Tide commit Khris Bogle. Soon to be Alabama football coaches, Charles Kelly and Sal Sunseri recruited Bogle for Tennessee and Florida.