This year’s edition of football for the University of Alabama is schedule to begin spring practice on Tuesday at Thomas-Drew Field. While the goal in mind is to develop starter, rotational players and win a national championship in the fall, one Crimson Tide assistant coach has been an encouragement throughout the offseason program in getting to understand his position group.
Although he recognizes talent at first glance, Josh Gattis is more so moved by intangibles and a non-stop work ethic. The newly-hired wide receivers coach for Alabama took a liking to rising sophomore Jerry Jeudy’s efforts on spring break and has channeled a lot of energy to the unit.
Coming from Penn State University and Vanderbilt University, Gattis knows about creating matchup nightmares for defenses. Under his leadership, Jordan Matthews became a two-time 1,000-yard weapon and was twice named first-team All-Southeastern Conference at Vandy.
During his time with the Nittany Lions, he helped quarterback Christian Hackenburg get to the National Football League and Trace McSorley record 3,000-yard passing seasons in two consecutive seasons (2016-17). According to sources, Touchdown Alabama Magazine has learned that the Tide’s bunch of wide outs ‘have never been under a coach like this.’
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.
