Nick Saban does not care about rivalries in hiring assistants.
Zach Mettenberger faced Alabama three times in his collegiate career as a quarterback for Louisiana State University, including twice as the starter. He completed 40 of 58 passes for 539 yards and two touchdowns versus the Crimson Tide. Mettenberger almost led the Tigers to victory in the 2012 matchup against Alabama at Tiger Stadium. He completed 24 of 35 passes for 298 yards — including a 14-yard scoring strike to Jarvis Landry in the fourth quarter. Coach Saban earned wins over Mettenberger in 2012 and 2013, but he feels like the former Southeastern Conference quarterback can add something to the Tide.
According to the Alabama football staff directory, Mettenberger is an offensive analyst.
RELATED: Alabama hires former LSU QB Zach Mettenberger as analyst
He excelled at the deep, vertical passing game at LSU, so he can help Bill O’Brien craft more ways to attack defenses with Bryce Young. The Tigers did not have the most creative offense under Les Miles, but Mettenberger had a coaching staff that believed in running the football. Alabama fans want to return to a physical rushing attack in establishing balance.
Mettenberger will help cut up game film to show how efficient the Crimson Tide can be when it sticks to the run.
He spent three seasons in the National Football League with the Tennessee Titans (2014-15), San Diego Chargers (2016, practice squad), and Pittsburgh Steelers (2016). Mettenberger also tried his hand in the Alliance of America Football League (AAF) in 2019 with the Memphis Express. He has offensive coordinator experience from Hillsboro High School in Tennessee in 2020.
Mettenberger served as an assistant coach in 2021 for Father Ryan High School.
He did not beat Alabama, but joining the Tide gives Mettenberger a chance to show what he’s learned throughout his football career. The 30-year-old brings a fresh mind and ideas that may help Alabama’s offensive be highly effective in the fall.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
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.
