The Alabama Crimson Tide’s coaching staff for the 2025 season, led by head coach Kalen DeBoer, has made substantial changes to enhance the team’s success. Ryan Grubb, the offensive coordinator, has returned, which is a major acquisition.
2025 Alabama Crimson Tide Coaching Staff
Head Coach, Kalen DeBoer
Kalen DeBoer was named Alabama’s head coach in early 2024 following Nick Saban’s surprise retirement. He arrives in Tuscaloosa with a 37-9 overall FBS coaching record, having found success at Washington and Fresno State.
DeBoer took over a struggling Fresno State program in 2020 and quickly turned it into a Mountain West contender, leading the conference in total offense by 2021.
His success earned him a Power Five opportunity at Washington, where he transformed the Huskies into a Pac-12 powerhouse. In two seasons, he compiled a 25-3 record, delivered back-to-back double-digit win seasons, and led the team to the 2024 College Football National Championship Game.
DeBoer’s coaching experience:
- 2024-present: Alabama, HC
- 2022-23: Washington, HC
- 2020-21: Fresno State, HC
- 2019: Indiana, OC/QB
- 2017-18: Fresno State, OC/QB
- 2014-16: Eastern Michigan, OC/QB
- 2010-13: Southern Illinois, OC/WR
- 2005-09: Sioux Falls, HC
- 2000-04: Sioux Falls, OC
Offensive Coordinator, Ryan Grubb
Back in February 2025, DeBoer officially added Grubb to his coaching staff as the Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator.
A seasoned play-caller with extensive experience, Grubb brought a deep offensive knowledge to Tuscaloosa. With over a decade as an offensive coordinator at the collegiate, high school, and NFL levels, he was widely regarded as one of football’s top offensive minds.
Grubb’s coaching experience:
- 2025-present: Alabama, OC
- 2024: Seattle Seahawks, OC
- 2022-23: Washington, AHC/OC/QB
- 2020-21: Fresno State, AHC/OC/QB
- 2019: Fresno State, AHC/OC/OL
- 2017-18: Fresno State, AHC/OC/OL
- 2014-16: Eastern Michigan, OL
- 2010-13: Sioux Falls, OC/QB
- 2007-09: Sioux Falls, OL/RGC
- 2006: South Dakota State, WR
- 2005: South Dakota State, RB
- 2003-04: Kingsley-Pierson [Iowa] HS, OC
Defensive Coordinator, Kane Wommack
In a major addition to his Alabama coaching staff, DeBoer brought in Kane Wommack as the Crimson Tide’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Wommack stepped down as South Alabama’s head coach to take the role, arriving in Tuscaloosa after leading the Jaguars to back-to-back bowl appearances.
Wommack previously worked with DeBoer in 2019 when he served as Indiana’s defensive coordinator. A Broyles Award finalist in 2020, he also has deep SEC ties, having played fullback for Arkansas in 2005 and 2006.
Wommack’s coaching experience:
- 2024-present: Alabama, DC/LB
- 2021-23: South Alabama, HC
- 2019-20: Indiana, DC/LB
- 2018: Indiana, LB
- 2016-17: South Alabama, DC/LB
- 2014-15: Eastern Illinois, DC
- 2012-13: Ole Miss, GA
- 2011: Jacksonville State, GA
- 2010: UT-Martin, QB
Tight End Coach, Bryan Ellis
Bryan Ellis, a former high school quarterback from Georgia, played at UAB before launching his coaching career as the Blazers’ quarterbacks coach. In recent years, he has led high-powered offenses as the offensive coordinator at Western Kentucky and Georgia Southern. Now, he joins Alabama’s coaching staff as the tight ends coach, bringing his offensive expertise to Tuscaloosa.
Running Back Coach, Robert Gillespie
With 19 years of coaching experience, Robert Gillespie joined Alabama’s staff in 2021. He has developed top-tier draft prospects at programs like North Carolina, Tennessee, Oklahoma State, South Carolina, and West Virginia. A former player himself, Gillespie was part of Florida’s 2000 SEC Championship team.
Defensive Line Coach, Freddie Roach
Freddie Roach rejoined Alabama’s coaching staff in 2020 for his third stint with the program, having previously held various roles from 2008-2010 and 2015-2017. A Tuscaloosa native, Roach was a standout player for the Crimson Tide, earning National Freshman of the Year honors in 2002.
Wide Receiver Coach, JaMarcus Shephard
JaMarcus Shephard joins Alabama’s coaching staff after spending the past two seasons at Washington under Kalen DeBoer as assistant head coach, passing game coordinator, and wide receivers coach. Now reprising two of those roles with the Crimson Tide, Shephard brings a proven track record of developing elite wide receiver talent, having coached one of the nation’s top receiving trios last season.
Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs, Maurice Linguist and Jason Jones
Maurice Linguist makes the move from the MAC to the SEC, bringing with him a strong track record as a defensive backs coach at both the collegiate and NFL levels. He’s no stranger to the SEC, having coached at Texas A&M in 2018 and 2019 and previously developed all-conference talent during his time at Buffalo.
Jason Jones will share defensive backs coaching duties with Maurice Linguist. A coaching veteran with over 20 years of experience, Jones has spent his entire career working with the secondary and also brings six seasons of defensive coordinator experience.
Throughout his career, he has coached nine first-team all-conference players and 20 total all-conference selections, along with four Jim Thorpe Award semifinalists and a Nagurski Trophy finalist. Jones has also contributed to five conference championship teams and has coached in 16 bowl games.
Offensive Line Coach, Chris Kapilovic
Chris Kapilovic, a former all-conference offensive tackle at Missouri State, has established himself as one of the nation’s premier offensive line coaches.
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Among his many achievements, Kapilovic coached the offensive line that paved the way for Kenneth Walker’s breakout 2021 season and played a key role in helping Mitch Trubisky set passing records during his time at North Carolina.
Outside Linebacker Coach, Christian Robinson
Alabama has produced some of the top outside linebackers in college football in recent seasons, and Christian Robinson will be tasked with maintaining that impressive record. SEC football flows through his veins as a former great linebacker at Georgia. His coaching resume includes stops at Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Florida, and Auburn.
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