Report: Former Alabama assistant coach Doug Marrone expected to join familiar NFL team

The New Orleans Saints will hire former Alabama offensive line coach Doug Marrone to a key role on the offensive staff, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport. Nola.com’s Jeff Duncan further reported that Dennis Allen could consider him as a coordinator, although the exact role remains unclear.

After joining long-time NFL head coaching rival Bill O’Brien on Alabama’s offensive staff in 2021, Nick Saban opted to go a different direction by hiring former Kentucky offensive line coach Eric Wolford to the same position.

Marrone was Alabama’s offensive line coach this season after six seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, including four as head coach. Marrone has a wealth of coaching experience, including head coaching stints at Syracuse and with the Buffalo Bills. He has also coached offensive line at Georgia, Georgia Tech and with the New York Jets over his career.

Jeff Duncan also reports that the Saints could add former offensive assistant John Morton, who also has coordinator experience, as the team looks to fill that role. The need comes after news that longtime offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael will remain with the team in a decreased role after the departure of Sean Payton.

New faces on Alabama staff

Alabama officially announced the addition of three new assistant coaches for the 2022 season, confirming multiple reports that each would join Nick Saban’s staff. The school made each move official with a press release and statement from Nick Saban on Wednesday.

Coleman Hutzler comes from Ole Miss and will become special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach, Travaris Robinson comes from Miami and will become cornerback coach, while Eric Wolford comes from Kentucky and will become the offensive line coach.

With the announcement of the three new assistant coaches, Alabama also has other outstanding moves which have not been formally announced.

“We are pleased and happy to be able to add Coleman Hutzler, Travaris Robinson and Eric Wolford to our coaching staff,” Saban said in a statement. “They are all talented coaches who are well respected across the country for their knowledge of the game, ability to recruit and aptitude for teaching and developing young men both on the field and in life.”

Eric Wolford then provided his statement on the offensive line coaching position at Alabama.

“It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to join Coach Saban’s staff at The University of Alabama,” Wolford said. “There is a long history of outstanding offensive line play at Alabama, and I look forward to contributing to that success moving forward.”