Robert Gillespie and Freddie Roach were promoted by Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer, who explains his reasoning.
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama: On Wednesday, Kalen DeBoer, the head football coach at Alabama, announced a few changes to his staff.
Robert Gillespie was appointed assistant coach by DeBoer, while Freddie Roach was designated associate head coach. Roach and Gillespie were both members of Nick Saban’s Alabama 2023 staff; DeBoer kept both of them on his 2024 crew.
“After meeting both of these guys, it was very clear to me that keeping Freddie and G as part of the staff was going to be important to our success,” DeBoer stated in a press release. “These guys have great relationships with our players, are outstanding recruiters and have proven to be some of the best coaches in the country.” Alabama has informed the Board of Trustees about the proposed promotions, but the Board of Trustees still needs to approve the financial terms.
The only defensive veteran left from Alabama’s 2023 defensive squad was Roach. The forty-year-old, who played for the Crimson Tide from 2002 to 2005, has coached mostly on staff, serving as the defensive line coach since 2020, the director of player development from 2015 to 2017, and a strength and conditioning assistant from 2008 to 10.
Roach can develop and recruit and has connections to Alabama and the SEC (having coached at Ole Miss previously). In addition to helping recruit Jaylen Mbakwe, Jeremiah Alexander, James Smith, Damon Payne, and other players, he has coached Christian Barmore, Phidarian Mathis, DJ Dale, Justin Eboigbe, Tim Keenan III, and more.
The only offensive holdover from Alabama’s offensive staff in 2023 was Gillespie. The 44-year-old native of Mississippi joined the Crimson Tide in January 2021, taking Charles Huff’s place. Since then, he has contributed to the development of over ten NFL running backs.
Gillespie, who played at Florida and coached at Tennessee and South Carolina, is well-known for his recruiting skills and extensive connections inside the SEC. Recently, he has assisted in the recruitment of elite players such as offensive lineman Tyler Booker, running back Justice Haynes, linebacker Jihaad Campbell, and edge rusher Keon Keeley.
It is not yet known who DeBoer’s other employees are.
Nick Sheridan is anticipated to succeed Ryan Grubb as offensive coordinator following Grubb’s departure to join the Seattle Seahawks. After working as the tight ends coach for the previous two years at Washington, Sheridan was first appointed to that position. JaMarcus Shephard is anticipated to assume the position of wide receiver as well.
It is anticipated that the defensive coordinator will be Kane Wommack. After three years as South Alabama’s head coach, he is joining the Alabama staff. Under Tom Allen, he had already collaborated with DeBoer at Indiana in 2019.
The defensive backs will be coached by Colin Hitschler, a former Wisconsin safeties coach, and Maurice Linguist, the head coach of Buffalo, in addition to Wommack. William Inge, who joined from Washington, is slated to coach the linebackers.
