Report: Alabama expected to hire TCU's Eron Hodges as associate director of player personnel

According to Matt Zentiz of 247Sports, Alabama is “expected” to hire Eron Hodges as the associate director of player personnel. Hodges has spent the past two seasons in Fort Worth with the TCU Horned Frogs but will now travel across I-20 and call Tuscaloosa his new home.

Kalen DeBoer has filled out most of his on-field staff but is still working on adding people behind the scenes. Hodges will now play a key role with the Crimson Tide both in the high school recruiting world and in the NCAA transfer portal.

A lot has been made about DeBoer coming from out West and attempting to recruit against SEC opponents. He will be hoping these types of hires bring an end to those questions, snagging one of the top off-field assistants in the country.

Hodges was TCU’s director of recruiting and was hired onto Sonny Dykes‘ initial staff. He was also a defensive analyst and helped coach cornerbacks. TCU was able to have a clean transition year and play for a national championship.

Alabama will not be the first major program to give Hodges the title of associate director of player personnel. Ohio State promoted him to the position after initially joining the program as a strength and conditioning assistant. Urban Meyer was the head coach at the time, kickstarting Hodges’ career in the Power Five.

Alabama, Kalen DeBoer hoping to hit ground running in recruiting

Once Nick Saban announced his retirement from Alabama, there was quite an exodus of talent. Not just from the current roster, where multiple key players decided to transfer. But DeBoer was going to have to start over with the 2025 recruiting class as well.

Alabama looked like they were going to work toward securing another No. 1 class. But now, just two commitments have stuck through the transition. DeBoer will have to reevaluate who the Crimson Tide is pursuing and begin to rebuild some of those relationships.

Hodges is somebody who can certainly help the process.

There was a big win in the 2024 cycle, with Alabama landing a commitment from Five-Star Plus+ wide receiver Ryan Williams. He decommitted just moments after Saban’s retirement announcement and was seemingly open to schools such as Auburn, Texas, and Texas A&M.

After meeting with DeBoer and spending time with the new staff, Williams jumped back in the boat. A huge win for Alabama and they hope it’s just the beginning.