3 Alabama assistant coaches on the clock for 2026 season

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No pressure in life compares to that of someone’s job on the line.

For the University of Alabama, three assistant coaches on its football program will be under the intense microscope of fans.

What Alabama fans want more from Crimson Tide in year three under Kalen DeBoer?

All three names are on the clock to produce consistent success or face being evaluated to not return for the 2027 season.

Supporters for the Crimson Tide want Kalen DeBoer to rise up as well as the head coach, but below are the assistants on the clock.

1. Ryan Grubb, offensive coordinator

He had some brilliant moments of creativity in 2025, but Alabama fans were very disappointed with Ryan Grubb down the stretch. The Crimson Tide lacked a run game, lacked an identity in terms of balance, and could not create big plays when it was needed in several moments.

Grubb was thought to be the next elite offensive mind – upon being hired in 2025 – to pair alongside Lane Kiffin, Michael Locksley, Brian Daboll, and Steve Sarkisian, but he has to prove it in order for Alabama fans to believe it. He has to have Austin Mack or Keelon Russell playing with consistent confidence as well as balance the run game and passing attack. Seattle got rid of him after one season (2024) because of his failure to secure balance, and the Seahawks won a Super Bowl in 2025 without him.

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Grubb has to be better or he may find himself a new home.

2. Robert Gillespie, running backs coach

Alabama has not fielded a 1,000-yard running back since Brian Robinson Jr. in 2021.

This is an indictment on Robert Gillespie’s inability to develop a 1,000-yard back for the program since he was hired in 2021.

People give him credit for Jahmyr Gibbs’ success in Tuscaloosa (Ala.), but Gibbs was already developed at Georgia Tech before transferring. Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams suffered injuries that hindered their success; however, Justice Haynes left Alabama for Michigan via the NCAA transfer portal and exploded for 857 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns last season.

Richard Young, a former five-star, also decided to leave the Tide via the portal and head to Colorado. Jam Miller suffered injuries in 2025 and while Kevin Riley and Daniel Hill did some good things, Alabama did not have the running back it needed that could create when it did not have a hole or lane every time. Gillespie now has a five-star in EJ Crowell to pair with Hill, Riley, and AK Dear in the backfield. He has to find a way to create a 1,000-yard back or his days in crimson and white are numbered as a coach.

3. Freddie Roach, defensive line coach

Freddie Roach bought himself another year with getting guys on the defensive line to pop in 2025; however, Jamey Mosley’s departure to Stanford puts more pressure on him.James Smith, Jordan Renaud, and Keon Keeley all transferred to different schools, while Tim Keenan III and LT Overton are in the NFL Draft. Roach returns Edric Hill, Jeremiah Beaman, Steve Bolo Mboumoua, London Simmons, and Isaia Faga as players with experience, but he also has transfers and freshmen to pop out.

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The defensive line is one of the biggest questions for Alabama because no one knows who will emerge as the most consistent pass rushers and run stoppers for the team. This season will show how much of a developer Roach truly is.

Not many are expecting this year’s line to go off, but Roach has to get it done.

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Stephen M. Smith is a team writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine.  You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.