Nick Saban made one on-field coaching change in the offseason.
He replaced Brian Baker with Freddie Roach for the defensive line, and things are looking good for Alabama football.
As a native of Killen, Ala., Roach knows all too well about the Crimson Tide and its “Bama factor.” He played for coaches Dennis Franchione and Mike Shula at the University of Alabama from 2001 to 2005. At a time when the Tide was not popular, Roach was a decorative inside linebacker. He totaled 272 career tackles in 50 games — including a career-high 85 tackles in 2003 during his redshirt sophomore year.
Roach was twice named second-team All-SEC in 2004 and 2005, but he took home Freshman All-American, Freshman All-SEC and SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2002 as a redshirt freshman.
He got Alabama’s defense strong (2005) before Saban came in 2007 and as a coach, Roach was on the Tide’s staff for national championships in 2009, 2015 and 2017.
When he was not at Alabama, he was achieving success at East Mississippi Community College (2011; National Junior College Athletics Association Championship), Murray State (2012), South Alabama (2013-14) and Ole Miss (2018-19).
He primarily worked with defensive linemen, but Roach coached outside linebackers and was the Director of Strength and Conditioning at EMCC.
In his return to the Tide, he is all for restoring the physicality up front.
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According to Saban, he said Roach’s personality is ‘helpful’ to the chemistry of Alabama’s defensive staff.
“I am excited about having Freddie Roach on staff,” Saban said on Monday. “He is an Alabama guy. He’s got great energy and enthusiasm. He’s very knowledgeable, takes great pride in his performance, and the players respond well to him.”
Thus far at fall practice, Roach has players striking and exploding the right way. Guys are having fun in camp; however, he is also staying on them about doing things the right way.
He brings a lot of big energy on defense and after producing huge numbers with programs that had less talent up front, Roach is about to create havoc with a slew of four and five-stars.
Part of getting back to the Alabama culture is having a coach that played in it. The Tide’s defensive line will get the best mentoring from Roach. Not only is he a great recruiter and coach, he is also about molding great men off the field.
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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.
