Alabama fans are dealing with something rival fan bases have endured for years.
For the first time in 17 years, the Crimson Tide’s football program does not have stability at head coach.
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Nick Saban announced his retirement last week, and Greg Byrne hired Kalen DeBoer from Washington. DeBoer has a vision that he wants Alabama players, coaches, and fans to get behind, but several players have transferred and a significant coach left for a Southeastern Conference opponent. National media and Tide fans do not know if the DeBoer era will live up to what Saban brought the program; however, one coach believes in DeBoer more than anyone else he’s worked with in college football.
Kane Wommack is leaving his head coaching position at South Alabama to join DeBoer. The 36-year-old told Simone Eli, the TV Sports Director and Host for WKRG TV in Mobile, Ala., that DeBoer is one of his best friends in the coaching profession.
“He is one of my closest friends in the business. I trust him as much as I do anybody in this profession”
Caught up with Kane Wommack before he left Mobile for Tuscaloosa. Tells me his friendship w/ Alabama HC Kalen DeBoer was main factor in leaving South for Tide DC job @WKRG pic.twitter.com/y9xTu95DR7
— Simone Eli (@SimoneEli_TV) January 16, 2024
“Kalen DeBoer and I have always had a great appreciation for each other, professionally and personally,” Wommack said.
“He is one of my closest friends in the business. I trust him as much as I do anybody in this profession. I believe in him as a coach, I believe in him as a person and human being. We always knew if there was a chance to work together one day that was something we wanted to explore. I felt like the stars aligned for us to be able to do it here at Alabama. It has been a special opportunity that has fallen into place to be able to do that.”
Wommack comes in a defensive coordinator role to help his good friend. His defenses at South Alabama got better each year during his tenure from 2021 to 2023. The Jaguars were 15th in college football for total defense, allowing 313 yards per game.
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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.
