Nick Saban explains what stood out about inside linebacker coach Robert Bala in hiring process

Alabama coach Nick Saban made some big changes to his coaching staff this offseason, bringing in new offensive and defensive coordinators. But he also brought in Robert Bala as inside linebackers coach, an addition he believes will also be impactful.

Bala joins the Crimson Tide after one season as a defensive analyst at Liberty. It will be his first season in 15 years of coaching on a Power 5 staff, and Saban opened up on what stood out about Bala in an interview after Monday’s spring practice.

“We interviewed a lot of people,” Saban said. “We’re looking for guys that fit from a character standpoint. Who have good character. Who are going to set a good example and be good leaders for the players on our team. Secondly, we’re looking for people who have knowledge. Especially knowledge of our system in terms of what we do and how we do it. And can the guy be a good teacher?

“In the interview process, we thought that Robert was an excellent candidate as young guy that could come in and do all those things well for us.”

A former linebacker in his playing days at Southern Utah, Bala is set to take over an Alabama linebackers room that lost starting inside linebacker Henry To’oTo’o. He will work closely with special teams and outside linebackers coach Coleman Hutzler.

Alabama also loses starting linebackers Will Anderson and Jaylen Moody, so there will be plenty of turnover with the group in 2023. The three players combined for 195 tackles and 14.5 sacks this past season. Players such as Deontae Lawson top JUCO linebacker Justin Jefferson could see increased roles as a result.

More on the coaching history of Robert Bala

In his lone season at Liberty, Bala helped the Flames defense to finish No. 1 in the country in tackles for loss per game (9.3) and No. 3 in sacks per game (3.46). He was promoted to linebackers coach this offseason before the Crimson Tide came calling.

Prior to Liberty, Bala spent four seasons at his alma mater of Southern Utah in a variety of roles. He coached cornerbacks, special teams, linebackers and was also defensive coordinator for his final two seasons.

He also coached at Palomar College in California from 2011-16, working with linebackers and cornerbacks. He brings brief NFL experience as an intern for the Raiders in 2014, where he coached linebackers and special teams.