It isn’t easy to be a Group of Five program in 2024. After recording a 22-16 record with the South Alabama Jaguars, head coach Kane Wommack left to become the defensive coordinator at the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Now, South Alabama has to begin anew late in the offseason. Here are five potential candidates to replace Wommack at South Alabama.
Who Might Replace Kane Wommack at South Alabama?
South Alabama has to restart after a promising three years under Wommack. Under the defensive guru, South Alabama had developed a reputation as one of the best defensive teams in the Group of Five.
Wommack’s resignation comes just a week after South Alabama jokingly tweeted that they had the best head coach in the state of Alabama. The post has now been deleted. Expect the Jaguars to look for another defensive-minded head coach, likely younger and willing to work the transfer portal. Using these criteria, here are five potential replacements for Wommack.
Zach Arnett: Former Head Coach, Mississippi State
Zach Arnett should be the first call athletic director Joel Erdmann makes. Arnett was a rising star in college football and a defensive genius. Just 37 years old, Arnett took over at the Mississippi State Bulldogs after the death of Mike Leach.
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He was fired, perhaps unfairly, because the offense struggled without Leach to run it. Arnett now has ties to the southeast and is a brilliant defensive mind. He’s also unemployed, making negotiations easier. He checks many of the boxes South Alabama will look for in a coach.
Zac Alley: Co-Defensive Coordinator, Oklahoma
Zac Alley is a rising star in the college football world. A Brent Venables disciple, Alley was the youngest FBS coordinator while at the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks under Terry Bowden. Recently hired as the Oklahoma Sooners‘ linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator, Alley is one of the brightest defensive minds in football.
If South Alabama is willing to take a chance on a first-time head coach with huge upside, Alley could be the guy.
Major Applewhite: Quarterbacks Coach, South Alabama
The former Houston Cougars head coach is on staff at South Alabama, currently coaching quarterbacks. Whenever coaches leave in January, fans shouldn’t be surprised to see a replacement from within the staff.
Applewhite has FBS head coaching experience and is well-respected within the industry. He’d likely bring continuity to the Jaguar team.
Bill Clark: Former Head Coach, UAB
Bill Clark is one of the best Group of Five coaches in the history of the state of Alabama. He retired in June of 2022 after issues with his back but reportedly had successful spinal surgery and could be a candidate at South Alabama.
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Clark is a players’ coach and would likely have success retaining some of the Jaguars’ stars.
Tee Martin: Quarterbacks Coach, Baltimore Ravens
Tee Martin, the former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback and USC Trojans offensive coordinator, is a native of Mobile. He’s never been a head coach, but he’s well-respected and fiery, two things that could endear him to the South Alabama fanbase.
Martin is an offensive guy, which goes against South Alabama’s MO, but he’s also a guy who could stay in Mobile long-term, which has to be appealing after Wommack was poached.
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