Kane Wommack opens up on decision to come to Alabama, continue Nick Saban's defensive legacy

In Nick Saban‘s 17 seasons as Alabama‘s head coach, defense was the foundation of the program’s success. However, this may no longer be true with offensive mastermind Kalen DeBoer at the helm of the Crimson Tide.

Nonetheless, Alabama certainly isn’t straying too far away from its defensive principles. On Tuesday, Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack pulled back the curtain on his decision to accept his position with the program and how he hopes to carry on Saban’s defensive legacy.

“The greatest players always step up in the biggest moments. Well, it’s the same thing for coaches,” Wommack said. “Coach Saban has really set the standard of what defensive play is supposed to look like in college football for the last three decades.

“To be able to step in place for that, and to be able to run this defense and make some changes in what we’re doing, and all the things he’s been able to do to help — I wanted to take advantage of that opportunity.”

Wommack spent the past three seasons as South Alabama‘s head coach. He posted a 22-17 record with the Jaguars, qualifying for back-to-back bowl games and winning the 2023 Ventures 68 Bowl.

Before taking over at South Alabama, Wommack spent three seasons at Indiana, in two of which he was the defensive coordinator. Wommack met DeBoer at Indiana when he served as the program’s offensive coordinator during the 2019 season.

Wommack was not willing to pass up an opportunity to reunite with DeBoer.

“Kalen and I have been in a foxhole together before,” Wommack said. “When you get to know Kalen DeBoer, you see the confidence that he has. It’s certainly a humble confidence.

“But for his players and coaches, the way conducts himself, the way that he game plans, the stress that our offense puts on people — I thought was certainly an opportunity to get back with him and to work with him again was something I was really looking forward to.”

Wommack has excellent foundation of talent to work with during his first season at Alabama. In 2023, the Crimson Tide boasted the No. 16 scoring defense, the No. 18 total defense.

Kane Wommack will make his debut as Alabama’s defensive coordinator when the Crimson Tide take on Western Kentucky at 7:30 p.m. ET on Aug. 31. He’s excited to get started.

“I wanted to be able to continue the legacy that [Saban] has created here, and the defensive foundation in the way that we do things. So I just thought it was a special opportunity,” Wommack said.