Less than two days after Alabama moved on from offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic, it appears that Kalen DeBoer is zeroing in on his top target immediately.
According to On3's Pete Nakos, USC defensive analyst Adrian Klemm, an experienced offensive line coach, is the Crimson Tide's top target for the job:
USC analyst Adrian Klemm has emerged as the prime target to be Alabama’s next offensive line coach, sources tell @Clowfb and I for @On3.
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) January 25, 2026
He’s the former Oregon and New England Patriots offensive line coach.https://t.co/YKSXCWjKDi pic.twitter.com/lDALj05Vkw
On3 reports Adrian Klemm has emerged as Alabama's OL coach target
Klemm spent the 2025 season as an analyst on Lincoln Riley's staff, but he has a vast array of experience as an offensive line coach and former player. Klemm played college football at Hawaii before being drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2000 NFL Draft.
Klemm played six NFL seasons, five of which were with the Patriots. In coaching, Klemm coached the offensive line at SMU, UCLA, and Oregon in the college ranks, while coaching the OL of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Patriots in the NFL. He also held the title of run game coordinator at UCLA and Oregon, which is probably not a coincidence, as DeBoer looks for major improvement in the run game in 2026.
His resume on USC's official website speaks for itself.
Klemm's Oregon offensive line in 2022 ranked No. 1 in the country in sacks allowed, giving up just five in 13 games.
He had similar success with the Steelers in 2020. Pittsburgh led the NFL in sacks allowed that season, giving up only 14. That mark was seven fewer than the next closest team. That information is music to the ears of Austin Mack and Keelon Russell as they compete for the starting QB job this spring and fall.
During his time at UCLA, Klemm's offensive lines paved the way for school record-setting offenses in Westwood, and they led the PAC-12 in fewest sacks allowed in 2014.
Klemm has a lot of experience, and his resume is strong. He's worked with some elite coaches and has had success at all of his stops. This seems like a potentially strong hire for DeBoer and the Crimson Tide if it ultimately pans out.