Alabama head coach Nick Saban is playing chess with the college football world at the right time.
He lost a marquee assistant defensive coach to Mississippi State, but Saban found his replacement.
Bruce Feldman and Kennington Smith of The Athletic reported on Thursday that the Crimson Tide hired George Helow.
RELATED: Alabama player highlights two assistant coaches that have the Crimson Tide’s defense in CFP
The 36-year-old was Michigan’s linebackers coach from 2021 to 2022 and is expected to immediately help Alabama with its preparation for the Wolverines in the Rose Bowl. Helow’s specific job title for the Tide was not made known; however, he does come in following the departure of Coleman Hutzler to be a defensive coordinator for the Bulldogs.
Helow coached Josh Ross (106) and Junior Colson (101) to 100+ tackles for Michigan’s defense as linebackers. He also worked with a former first-round pick — Aidan Hutchinson — helping Jim Harbaugh have a formidable defense. Helow studied under Harbaugh for two years, so he knows what the Wolverines want to run offensively against Alabama. Coach Saban’s choice to add him gives the Tide another defensive mind to assure its game plan is sharp for New Year’s Day.
Alabama is trying to knock out its second No. 1 team in the postseason.
*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.
