The coaching turnover continues for Nick Saban’s staff at the University of Alabama as defensive line coach, Karl Dunbar is the latest name on his way out.
Reports from both FootballScoop.com and AL.com confirm that not only was Dunbar in conversations with the Pittsburgh Steelers to be its next assistant, but he is also expected to be hired to Pittsburgh and learn under current defensive line coach John Mitchell.
Dunbar, 50, started his collegiate coaching career at Nicholls State in 1998-99, before going to Louisiana State University (2000-01) and Oklahoma State University (2002-03).
He would then spend 11 seasons in the National Football League (2004, 2006-15) with the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets and Buffalo Bills at defensive line coach, prior to being hired on Saban’s staff in 2016.
Although the players Dunbar coached in the last two years were recruited by Bo Davis, the Louisiana native did guide the position group to 37.5 of the team’s 94 sacks – which is good for 40 percent.
Former Tide defensive end Jonathan Allen led the unit in sacks with 10.5 in 2016, while Raekwon Davis turned in 8.5 sacks last season.
With Saban wanting to maintain the edge in recruiting, he will be on the move for a new defensive line coach.
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 @CoachingMSmith.
