Alabama makes big analyst hires Todd Grantham, Cornelius Williams official

Nick Saban doesn’t rebuild. He reloads. The seven-time national championship-winning head coach and the Alabama Crimson Tide confirmed two major hires on Thursday by adding them to the official staff list. Former Florida defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and former Auburn wideouts coach Cornelius Williams are both listed as analysts for the Tide for 2022.

Saban brings in Todd Grantham from Florida

Todd Grantham was fired by former Florida coach Dan Mullen last season following the Gators’ loss at South Carolina, along with offensive line coach John Hevesy.

Mullen also lost his job in the following weeks after a 6-7 year. The record included losses to Kentucky, LSU, South Carolina and Missouri. After the departure of their DC, the Gators gave up 52 points to Samford.

Prior to the tumult of a disappointing season, Grantham and the Gators defense nearly toppled Alabama and Nick Saban at home in the Swamp. Their Sept. 18 matchup resulted in a 31-29 victory for the Tide, which was one of their worst offensive performances of the year.

Alabama adds former Auburn assistant

Cornelius Williams found himself out of a job in the middle of his first season under Bryan Harsin at Auburn. Harsin fired his receivers coach after the team eked out a 34-24 win over Georgia State. It was a shocking move by the first-year head coach who’s faced an uphill battle ever since.

After Williams’ departure, Eric Kiesau took over as Auburn’s wide receivers coach. Kiesau was an analyst on the Tigers staff after four seasons working under Harsin at Boise State.

Williams spent the previous six years coaching wide receivers at Troy. He won four Sun Belt championships and helped lead Troy to three bowl games as a player. He was also the passing game coordinator at his alma mater for the last two seasons.