Robert Gillespie: 'Alabama is still a logo and a brand everyone knows and loves'

Alabama football is on a level where if they call, recruits are bound to pick up.

When it comes to swaying the decision of top recruiting talent, being able to walk into any building with the Alabama logo on their chest makes any Crimson Tide recruiter stand out in a room full of other college coaches.

“The Alabama logo is big. I’ve coached at a lot of places and have been received differently at different places,” running backs coach Robert Gillespie said. “When you walk into a school and you’re Alabama, Alabama is still a logo and a brand that everyone knows and loves. So obviously, I think everyone was excited to take on this opportunity to be a coach at Alabama, which allows you to walk in at school and feel differently than you’ve ever felt before.

“I think we have a great brand to sell. Tuscaloosa is a great place. Kids want to go play for a chance to win a championship. And nothing’s better than being able to prove you can win one here. We’ve got the resources that are gonna take care of in life after football.”

While former head coach Nick Saban is off to enjoy his retirement on the set of ESPN’s College GameDay, the Crimson Tide went and replaced him with former Washington headman Kalen DeBoer.

While the coaching change is one that may take some time for fans to get used to, the standard has not changed in Tuscaloosa. Gillespie is one of just a handful of coaches from Saban’s final staff that was retained for DeBoer’s first.

Those playing for and working under DeBoer in 2024 are well aware of the success that he enjoyed at Washington, turning the Huskies from a middle-of-the-road Pac-12 program to a national championship contender seemingly overnight. Boasting a 104-12 record as a head coach at all levels coming into the job, similar win totals are expected as he takes over the program in Tuscaloosa. That’s expected under the Alabama brand.

The Crimson Tide’s efforts begin on Aug. 31 during tune-up match against Western Kentucky inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide’s first test against a power conference opponent comes in the form of the Wisconsin Badgers during Week 3, which is followed by Week 4’s headline battle against the Georgia Bulldogs at home, giving DeBoer and early opportunity to secure his signature win of the 2024 regular season.