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.
And just so everyone understands, @BamaCoachPaul has been working with me for 4 years. He’s been studying hard and picking up ideas and methods. Now he’s ready to take it and bring his perspective to the system. Help the next guy and everyone benefits!
— Matt Rhea, PhD (@MattRheaPhD) March 1, 2022
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.
