Alabama expected to hire Kane Wommack as next defensive coordinator

Kalen DeBoer is still in the process of putting together his first staff at Alabama, bringing a few names over from Washington. However, most of those are on the offensive end, and hiring some fresh faces was going to be required on the other side of the ball. Interviews have occurred for the defensive coordinator spot but a name has emerged on Monday night.

According to Charlie Potter of On3’s BOL, South Alabama head coach Kane Wommack is expected to be Alabama’s next defensive coordinator. Kevin Steele previously held the role but announced his retirement shortly after the Rose Bowl loss to Michigan.

“South Alabama head coach Kane Wommack is expected to be the defensive coordinator on Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama staff, barring something unforeseen, BamaOnLine has learned,” Potter said.

Wommack has spent the last three seasons at South Alabama, having a 22-16 overall record. The past two years on the defensive end have been great, with the Jaguars ranking inside the top 30 in scoring defense.

The relationship between Wommack and DeBoer goes back to Bloomington, where the two were on Tom Allen‘s staff at Indiana for the 2019 season. DeBoer was the offensive coordinator while Wommack served as the defensive coordinator.

While DeBoer moved on to be the Fresno State head coach, Wommack stayed during the 2020 season and was a Broyles Award finalist. He made the jump to be the head coach at South Alabama but is now expected to move back into an assistant role in Tuscaloosa.

Being able to recruit was a major question mark surrounding DeBoer’s early tenure. Wommack does not have much experience in the SEC, only spending two years at Ole Miss as a graduate assistant. But what he does have is relationships with high school coaches in the state of Alabama.

If Wommack’s hire does become official, DeBoer will then have to hire a few more defensive assistants to round out the staff. Alabama is expected to retain defensive line coach Freddie Roach but lost safeties coach Travaris Robinson to Georgia recently.

DeBoer is an offensive-minded head coach and has brought some of his top assistants to town via Washington. His defensive hires were always going to be important ones, needing to ensure down what was Alabama’s bread and butter for years under Nick Saban.

Hiring Wommack is thought to be a great start for DeBoer, both on the field and off it.