The trend of Nick Saban losing assistant coaches will continue after tonight’s national championship game, as reports have confirmed that University of Alabama defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley has accepted the defensive coordinator position at Colorado State.
Information came from both FootballScoop.com and The Coloradoan this morning, noting head coach Mike Bobo dipping into his Southeastern Conference roots – offensive coordinator at University of Georgia prior to coaching the Rams – to grab Ansley from the Crimson Tide.
During two seasons under Saban, Ansley has mentored Alabama’s defensive backfield to 33 interceptions (eight touchdowns) and 78 pass breakups.
He positioned both Marlon Humphrey and Eddie Jackson for the 2017 NFL Draft and has Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ronnie Harrison, Anthony Averett, Levi Wallace, Tony Brown and Hootie Jones ready for this year’s venue.
While Harrison leads the team in tackles (70), Wallace carries a team-high 14 pass breakups and three interceptions. Before returning to the Tide for his second stint, Ansley spent time at Kentucky as a secondary coach (2013-15) and was at Tennessee in 2012 prior to that moment.
He coached for five years at Division III Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Ala., and would then land on Saban’s staff as a graduate assistant from 2010 to 2011.
Ansley was the primary recruiter behind Alabama landing marquee defensive backs Saivion Smith, Josh Jobe and Jalyn Armour-Davis for its 2018 signing class. He joins defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt as the second assistant to leave after this season ends.
With him gone, newly-hired coach Pete Golding (former UTSA defensive coordinator) will more than likely assume the role next season.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
