Their head coach is arguably one of the most famous faces in college football, but who makes up the rest of the Alabama Crimson Tide’s coaching staff for the 2023 campaign?
Alabama Crimson Tide Head Coach (Vacant)
UPDATE: Nick Saban retired from coaching the Alabama Crimson Tide on Monday, January 10, 2024, leaving behind a lasting legacy that is unmatched in the sport. Saban’s writeup from his time with Alabama is still below, until a replacement is announced.
Is Nick Saban the greatest college football head coach of all time? It’s very difficult to argue with his track record of success. Between his tenure at Alabama and previous stop at LSU, the current Crimson Tide head coach has guided teams to seven national championships and 10 SEC titles.
Heading into the 2023 season with a 285-69-1 career record, no other active head coach in college football has as many wins as Saban. Meanwhile, he has helped four different players win the Heisman Trophy — a joint record — since arriving in Tuscaloosa in 2007.
Saban-coached Alabama teams have twice recorded undefeated seasons. His first came in 2009, just three years into his tenure in Tuscaloosa. The second came in the disrupted 2020 season that saw DeVonta Smith win the Heisman. While he’s most famous for being the Alabama head coach, the full list of head coaching roles that Saban has held is below.
- Toledo (1990)
- Michigan State (1995-1999)
- LSU (2000-2004)
- Alabama (2007-present)
Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees
Following the departure of Bill O’Brien to the New England Patriots, former Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees joins the Alabama coaching staff for the 2023 college football season. Rees was the OC for the Fighting Irish for three years, originally arriving as the quarterbacks coach in 2017.
A former QB for Notre Dame between 2010 and 2013, Rees was a graduate assistant at Northwestern for a year before landing an NFL role with the San Diego Chargers. Arguably Rees’ most significant achievement as a coach was his role in guiding Ian Book to becoming the winningest QB in Notre Dame history.
MORE: 2023 SEC Weekly Football Schedule
Rees will combine OC duty with quarterbacks coach responsibilities in Tuscaloosa. The full list of coaching roles Rees has held is listed below.
- Northwestern (graduate assistant, 2015)
- Los Angeles Chargers (offensive assistant, 2016)
- Notre Dame (QB coach, 2017-2022)
- Notre Dame (OC, 2020-2022)
Defensive Coordinator (Vacant)
UPDATE: Kevin Steele retired as the defensive coordinator of the Crimson Tide just days after the team’s Rose Bowl appearance against Michigan. Below is the writeup of Steele’s time with the team.
One of the most experienced coaches in college football, Kevin Steele returns to the Alabama coaching staff for the 2023 season. His appointment as defensive coordinator reprises a role he last held in 2008. He also held the role of linebackers coach and special assistant to Saban during the 2014 season.
The head coaches that Steele has previously worked under reads like a who’s who of college football greatness. He spent time with Bobby Bowden at FSU and Tom Osborne at Nebraska. Furthermore, he received a football education playing for Johnny Majors at Tennessee.
In addition to defensive duties, Steele has both college head coach and NFL positional coaching responsibilities on his résumé. A highly respected coach within college football circles, Steele has previously been a finalist for the Broyles Award. His full coaching résumé can be found below.
- Tennessee (general assistant and OLB coach, 1980-1982)
- New Mexico State (LB coach, 1983)
- Oklahoma State (LB/TE coach, 1984-1986)
- Tennessee (DB coach, 1987-1988)
- Nebraska (LB coach, 1989-1994)
- Carolina Panthers (LB coach, 1995-1998)
- Baylor (HC, 1999-2002)
- Florida State (LB coach, 2003-2006)
- Alabama (DC, 2007; DHC/ILB coach, 2008)
- Clemson (DC/LB coach, 2009-2011)
- Alabama (director of player personnel, 2013; LB coach, 2014)
- LSU (DC/LB coach, 2015)
- Auburn (DC, 2016-2020; interim HC, 2020)
- Tennessee (interim HC, 2021)
- Miami, FL (DC, 2022)
Wide Receivers Coach Holman Wiggins
Holman Wiggins joined the Alabama coaching staff in 2018 following previous stints with Virginia Tech and Memphis. In addition to coaching wide receivers, Wiggins serves as the assistant head coach of offense.
Tight Ends Coach Joe Cox
A former Georgia quarterback, Joe Cox’s coaching journey has seen him lead Mallard Creek High School to consecutive state championships as OC and QB coach. He joined the Alabama coaching staff in 2022 after stints with Colorado State, Charlotte, and South Carolina.
Defensive Line Coach Freddie Roach
Freddie Roach returned to the Alabama coaching staff for the third time in 2020, having previously served multiple roles from 2008-2010 and 2015-2017. Roach’s roots are in Tuscaloosa, winning the National Freshman of the Year as a member of the Crimson Tide in 2002.
Running Backs Coach Robert Gillespie
An 18-year coaching veteran, Robert Gillespie joined the Alabama coaching staff in 2021. He’s previously produced top-tier draft prospects from North Carolina, Tennessee, Oklahoma State, South Carolina, and West Virginia. Gillespie was a member of the Florida Gators’ 2000 SEC title-winning team.
Cornerbacks Coach Travaris Robinson
Following a five-year spell as the defensive coordinator for South Carolina, Travaris Robinson joined the Alabama coaching staff in 2022.
MORE: 2023 SEC QB Rankings
Robinson has extensive experience coaching DBs at Florida, Auburn, Western Kentucky, Southern Miss, and Texas Tech.
Offensive Line Coach Eric Wolford
A head coach at Youngstown State from 2010-2014, Eric Wolford has established himself as one of the best offensive line coaches in college football. Wolford had overseen successful o-line overhauls at Kentucky and South Carolina before joining the Alabama coaching staff in 2022.
Inside Linebackers Coach Robert Bala
A well-traveled and versatile coach with 15 years of experience, Robert Bala joined the Alabama coaching staff for the 2023 season after serving as a defensive analyst for Liberty. He’s coached LBs and DBs across the professional, college, and junior college levels.
Outside Linebackers Coach Coleman Hutzler
Arriving in Tuscaloosa in 2022, Coleman Hutzler works double-duty for the Alabama coaching staff. In addition to coaching outside linebackers like Will Anderson Jr., Hutzler is responsible for coordinating the Crimson Tide’s special teams unit — a dual role he’s also filled at New Mexico, Florida, Boston College, and South Carolina.