Coleman Hutzler was one of four new coaching hires to Nick Saban’s staff in the offseason.
The University of Alabama brought him to coordinate special teams and coach outside linebackers.
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Hutzler is respected in the Southeastern Conference for his excellence as a recruiter, special teams coordinator, and linebackers coach. He’s established a footprint in the SEC by coaching at Florida, South Carolina, and Ole Miss. He has mentored playmakers at the linebacker position – including Dante Fowler (Florida), Sam Williams (Ole Miss), and Joseph Ossai (Texas).
Fowler totaled 8.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, 17 quarterback hurries, and two forced fumbles under Hutzler in the 2014 season.
He got selected at No. 3 overall in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Williams recorded 12.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, eight quarterback hurries, and four forces fumbles for the Rebels in 2021. He expects to be a high draft pick next month.
Ossai turned in five sacks, 16 tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles in 2020 for the Longhorns in Hutzler’s lone season as co-defensive coordinator. He inherits the most talented outside linebacker room in college football. Hutzler will coach the 2021 Bronko Nagurski Award winner and Unanimous All-American, Will Anderson. He also will have Dallas Turner (Freshman All-American), Chris Braswell (former five-star), Jeremiah Alexander (five-star), Quandarrius Robinson, and Keanu Koht. Alabama’s had two spring practices, but Anderson likes what Hutzler provides the room. The junior is excited about his new coach.
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“He’s a great fit for us,” Anderson said about Hutzler on Monday. “He brings a lot of energy to our room, and he’s been great.”
He is a young coach, but Hutzler has 10+ years of experience with linebackers.
He’s learned at some of the premier schools in the nation, including Stanford, Florida, South Carolina, Ole Miss, and Texas.
Hutzler assisted Boston College in having a stout defense in 2015. The Golden Eagles allowed 15.3 points and 254.3 total yards per game. Boston College’s defensive front stifled running backs, surrendering 82.8 rush yards per game.
Hutzler played linebacker at Middlebury College in Vermont from 2002-05.
He knows the position, and the players at Alabama are excited to work with him.
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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.
