Alabama Football: Crimson Tide has a new DC with DeBoer connections

As initially reported by ESPN's Chris Low, the next Alabama Football Defensive Coordinator is expected to be Kane Wommack. The new Crimson Tide coaches met with players on Monday night. With the news coming out a couple of hours later, Alabama players likely got the news directly from DeBoer.

Wommack has been the head coach at South Alabama for the last three seasons. The Jaguars finished tied for No. 27, among FBS teams in Scoring Defense last season. Alabama was tied for No. 16 in 2023. The Crimson Tide played a much tougher schedule than USA, but South Alabama's performance was achieved with less roster talent.

Kane Wommack coached at Indiana for three seasons before leaving for the USA job. In the last two of those seasons, he was the Hoosiers' Defensive Coordinator. He also coached linebackers for Indiana. Wommack and Kalen DeBoer were on the Indiana staff together in 2019.

Wommack provides another plus for the Crimson Tide by having extensive experience playing and coaching experience in the South. He began his college playing career at Arkansas and finished at Southern Miss. Wommack has been on football staffs at UT Martin, Jacksonville State, Ole Miss, and Easter Illinois. Before going to Indiana, Wommack was the DC and Linebackers coach at South Alabama for two seasons.

Kane Wommack was a finalist for the Broyles Award in the season Steve Sarkisian won it; in 2020.
The opinion of some Alabama football insiders is that Wommack may have to prove himself as a recruiter, but as a coach, he is an upgrade over Travaris Robinson.

The biggest first test for Wommack is how much success he can have re-recruiting the Crimson Tide's current defensive roster. It will be a challenge to hold the Tide's defensive players. With Kalen DeBoer's track record as a top offensive coach, the Tide's offensive players should be more inclined to return.

There are no details yet on the financial package Alabama will provide Wommack. It is expected his reported $800K salary at South Alabama, will at least be doubled.

Recruiting the Mobile area of the state has always been important to the Crimson Tide. With his established relationships, Wommack will have head start in that area, and along the Gulf coast of Florida and Mississippi.