Alabama Football: Absent players return and big salary news for assistants

Previously absent Alabama football players Ale Kaho and Kedrick James participated in their first practices of the spring Wednesday afternoon.

The Alabama football spring roster is now all present and accounted for, as of Wednesday. After missing the first two practice sessions of spring, Ale Kaho and Kedrick James were back at work on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, the Alabama Board of Trustees approved the 2019 compensation plan of the Alabama football staff. The assistant coach staff cost just under $6M last season. This season, the ten assistant coaches, plus Scott Cochran, Head Trainer, Jeff Allen and Director of Player Personnel, Robert Welton will earn just under $8.6M. Check out the salary details below.

• Steve Sarkisian; Offensive Coordinator – 3 years at $1.55M in year one and $1.6M in years two and three. Sarkisian also has a $500,000 incentive to remain with the Crimson Tide for the length of his contract.
• Pete Golding; Defensive Coordinator – 3 years at $1.1M this season and $1.2M in years two and three
• Charles Kelly; Associate Defensive Coordinator and Safeties – 2 years at $800,000 per year
• Brian Baker; Associate Head Coach defense and defensive Line – 2 years at $750,000 per year
• Sal Sunseri; Outside Linebackers – 2 years at $650,000 per year
• Kyle Flood; Offensive Line – 2 years at $650,000 per year
• Charles Huff; Associate Head Coach and Running Backs– 2 years at $545,000 per year
• Jeff Banks; Special Teams – 2 years at $541,000 this season and $650,000 next season
• Karl Scott; Cornerbacks – 2 years at $525,000 per year
• Holman Wiggins; Wide Receivers – 2 years at $450,000 per year
• Scott Cochran – An annual of raise of $10,000 increased Cochran’s salary to $595,000 per season until 2022.
• Jeff Allen – Contacted until 2022 at $225,000 per year.
• Robert Welton – $210,000 per year

In addition, the Board of Trustees approved buyout payments of close to $600,000 to Mississippi State, Tennessee and Florida. The buyouts were triggered by Brian Baker and Charles Huff leaving Mississippi State, Charles Kelly leaving Tennessee and Sal Sunseri leaving Florida.

Practice Notes

The Crimson Tide was in helmets, pads and shorts as it worked outside Wednesday afternoon. Even with Kedrick James’ return, Cameron Latu remained with the tight ends.  James was at the back of the line in tight end drills. He is expected to miss the first four regular season games due to a suspension.

Like James, Ale Kaho was at the back of the inside linebacker line in drills. The group was led by Dylan Moses and Josh McMillon.

Raekwon Davis, LaBryan Ray and Phidarian Mathis continued to lead the defensive line grouping in drills. Mathis is gaining notice as one defensive player expected to step up to a major role in 2019.

The Alabama Crimson Tide is close to a full-pads session before the week is out. Nick Saban will do a media review Wednesday evening.