He reached the highest achievement in the coaching profession by being the head coach of a collegiate program, but will college football see the best of him as a defensive coordinator?
Kane Wommack had success at the University of South Alabama for three years.
RELATED: The latest on Alabama right tackle position battle ahead of season opener
The 37-year-old coached the Jaguars to a top-15 unit for total defense (313.2 ypg allowed) in 2023 while allowing 21 points per matchup. He could have stayed in Mobile (Ala.), but an opportunity occurred for him to reunite with Kalen DeBoer for the first time since 2019 and he wanted to take advantage of it. The two had success together as coordinators at Indiana, yet both look to run the show and continue the dominance of the Crimson Tide. Wommack enjoyed his time as a head coach, but he said something interesting Monday that should have Tide fans excited. He is in his element as being a play caller on defense.
“I loved my time as a head coach and I enjoyed that as well, but this feels very familiar to me,” Wommack said about being a defensive coordinator again at the University of Alabama.
“I just enjoy calling plays. It is probably one of the things I missed the last three years is not getting to be play caller on game day. I am looking forward to doing that again.”
He was over everything as a head coach, but now Wommack can focus on one aspect as a coordinator.
Alabama’s defense will have all his attention, and it should spell fear for college football. Wommack dedicated the offseason to perfecting the 4-2-5 “Swarm Defense” that he and his father, Dave Wommack, created while absorbing knowledge from Nick Saban on how to make it better.
After the second scrimmage, Wommack could not stop praising the physicality on defense.
He emphasized energy, physicality, swarm mentality, and violent intentions as aspects he wants to see Saturday against Western Kentucky at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Tide fans cannot wait to see Wommack enhance the defense with his play calling.
*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 senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
