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Alabama assistant coach Charles Kelly reportedly joining Deion Sanders at Colorado

47377776_10156854436900775_2208546246019252224_nby:Clint Lamb•12/07/22•

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Photo courtesy of Alabama Athletics

Alabama might’ve just lost its first coach of the 2023 offseason. On Wednesday afternoon, reports continued to surface that Crimson Tide associate defensive coordinator and safeties coach Charles Kelly would be joining Deion Sanders, who recently accepted the vacant head coaching position at Colorado.

First, FootballScoop reported on Sunday that Kelly was in talks about joining Sanders in Boulder. Then on Wednesday, Brian Howell of The Boulder Daily Camera followed those reports by adding that Colorado was adding Kelly as its new defensive coordinator.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. 

Kelly has been with Alabama head coach Nick Saban since the start of the 2019 season. Prior to his arrival in Tuscaloosa, the 55-year-old coach was worked with the safeties and special teams units at Tennessee. He has defensive coordinator experience, too. From 2014-17, Kelly held that position at Florida State.

Here’s a list of some of his previous coaching stops on the FBS level:

  • Alabama (2019-2022) – associate DC/safeties
  • Tennessee (2018) – safeties/special teams
  • Florida State (2014-17) – defensive coordinator
  • Florida State (2013) – linebackers/special teams
  • Georgia Tech (2010-12) – defensive backs
  • Georgia Tech (2008-09) – cornerbacks
  • Georgia Tech (2006-07) – special teams

Kelly was also the defensive coordinator at Nicholls State prior to jumping to the FBS level.

If he does in fact end up leaving, that’ll leave a void needing to be filled. Ironically enough, Alabama is already having to replace both of its starting safeties in Jordan Battle and DeMarcco Hellams. It’s also possible that fellow safety/Star Brian Branch could join them in the 2023 NFL Draft.

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