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Alabama has the strength coach to take over in Matt Rhea’s departure

Alabama assistant strength coach, Paul Constantine, standing to the right of David Ballou in celebrating 2021 SEC Championship
Photo of Alabama assistant strength coach, Paul Constantine (to the right of David Ballou) celebrating 2021 SEC Championship comes via Twitter

Alabama loses Dr. Matt Rhea to the New Orleans Saints after two seasons in Tuscaloosa.

As the Crimson Tide’s Director of Performance Science, Rhea helped cut down Alabama’s number of soft tissue injuries by 50 percent in 2020 on an undefeated national championship team. He won two Southeastern Conference Championships and one College Football Playoff National Championship, but Rhea is now pursuing a new challenge. David Ballou remains as the school’s Director of Sports Performance, but the Tide has someone in-house who is prepared to take over for the departed Rhea.

Paul Constantine has worked with Rhea for four years.

RELATED: Dr. Matt Rhea confirms his departure from Alabama football

He understands the metrics and methods of speed, power, optimum performance, and injury prevention. Constantine brings a fresh perspective to the role, and Rhea revealed him as his replacement. He served as an assistant athletics performance coach under Rhea at Indiana University from June 2016 to March 2020. Constantine left with Rhea and Ballou to join Nick Saban’s coaching staff at Alabama. He’s built a strong relationship with players, and the Tide looks to keep rolling with Constantine.

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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.

Stephen Smith is a 2015 graduate of the University of Alabama. He is a senior writer and reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. He has covered Alabama football for 15 years and his knowledge and coverage of the Crimson Tide's program have made him among the most respected journalist in his field. Smith has been featured on ESPN and several other marquee outlets as an analyst.

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