Alabama Football: Six new hires and new twist on last staff opening

Alabama football coach, Nick Saban is close to finishing his staff rebuild with six new hires. One more expected opening has a new name in consideration.

Alabama football fans have anxiously followed the unofficial new hires by Nick Saban. Even without any new coaches officially announced, the new assistants are already active in recruitment.

The actual on-field assignments for the 2019 staff are not yet known. Some are evident like Steve Sarkisian as Offensive Coordinator and Kyle Flood as the new offensive line coach. It also appears obvious Charles Huff will take over the running backs. The other adjustments, along with the official hire announcements will happen when Saban is ready and not a minute sooner.

A persistent rumor among Alabama football insiders is the exit of defensive line coach Craig Kuligowski. Coach Kool is highly respected for developing d-line talent. But the rumor is Saban told him several weeks ago to look elsewhere. Perhaps, Kool was not up to the stringent recruiting demands Saban places on his assistants.

Many Alabama football fans have been excited a d-line opening might mean a return by Bo Davis. Bo and Nick have a long history of coaching together. Davis got in trouble with the NCAA and Saban, by purportedly breaking a recruiting rule and later lying about it. He is serving a show-cause penalty that will expire in April 2019.

The other name frequently mentioned as a second option is Freddie Roach. Bringing a former Alabama Crimson Tide player from Ole Miss to Tuscaloosa appeals to many fans.

The latest buzz is current Mississippi State, defensive line coach, Brian Baker. Baker has been in Starkville for three seasons and recently signed a two-year contract extension. The Bulldogs arguably had the best defensive line in college football last season. Baker was formerly an outside linebacker coach for the Washington Redskins. Two of Baker’s Bulldog prodigies, Montez Sweat and Jeffery Simmons are certain to be NFL first-round picks this spring.

Baker has 30 years of coaching experience, 19 of which have been on NFL staffs. He also coached at Georgia Tech and Army. He played outside linebacker for Maryland from 1981-1983.

Apparently, Saban is continuing to include Kuligowski on recruiting visits. Some Alabama football insiders have suggested the defensive line coaching change will not happen before Signing Day. We are no longer confident Saban will wait that long.

Two big recruiting weekends remain for the 2019 class. Stay connected with Bama Hammer for the latest information.