Iron Bowl veteran Freddie Roach preaches importance of finishing ahead of 2024 rivalry game

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Freddie Roach grew up in Alabama and has been a part of 13 Iron Bowls as a player, staff member or assistant coach for the Crimson Tide. He has an 8-5 record.

The defensive line coach knows the importance of the rivalry with Auburn in his home state.

“It’s a big game,” Roach said. “There’s a lot of people in this state it means a lot to. It’s 365 days, and records don’t matter. Things that you’ve done up to this point don’t matter. You’ve gotta go out and perform. Very important to a lot of people in the state of Alabama.”

Roach played linebacker at Alabama from 2002-05 and was a Freshman All-American his first season in Tuscaloosa. He was an All-SEC selection twice before exhausting his eligibility, but he never beat Auburn, playing for the Tide during the Tigers’ 2002-07 streak.

As Alabama picks itself up off the mat after losing at unranked Oklahoma this past week, the fifth-year assistant coach can point to his senior season as an example of how not to close out the year. The Tide can keep its feeble playoff hopes alive with a rivalry game win.

“I kind of fell on the downside of it,” Roach said. “They had a really good run, did a really good job. We didn’t finish the games we had to finish. We lost to LSU and Auburn back-to-back in ‘05 after being undefeated all season. It’s about how you finish. In 2005, in 2024, no matter what the circumstances are. 

“Records don’t matter, stats don’t matter. What you’ve done prior to this doesn’t matter. It’s about what you have to do on Saturday.”

Roach’s position room has the most in-state players of any group on Alabama’s roster. Of the 13 scholarship players, five call the Yellowhammer State home, including three that see heavy reps for the Tide’s defense – Tim Keenan, Jah-Marien Latham and James Smith.

Roach knows the Iron Bowl means a little more to the guys who can go home for Thanksgiving this week, but he is making sure they stay focused on the task at hand before Saturday.

“The outside noise doesn’t affect the game,” Roach said. “We’ve gotta focus on what we’ve gotta focus on. There’s gonna be stories, there’s gonna be reports. All that’s good and great. That’s not for us. Our job is to strap the helmet up and go play football, and that’s what’s important.

“I think it’s gonna mean a lot to them. They are in-state guys and you’re gonna be remembered for what you do around this time of the year, and they’re focused on that. And that’s all that matters.”

Roach’s position group, and the entire Alabama offense, will be tasked with stopping Auburn’s offense that ranks sixth in passing (260.5) and rushing (171.64) offense but second in yards per play (6.71) in the SEC. The Crimson Tide’s associate head coach was especially impressed by the Tigers’ leading rusher, Jarquez Hunter, who is over 1,000 yards this fall.

“Very explosive,” Roach said of Auburn’s offense. “They played really good football last week. Good team. Coach Freeze does a great job wherever he’s been. And you’ve gotta be disciplined. They’ve got a lot of things going on. Good running, a really, really good running back. Quarterback’s playing very well and good talent on the outside.”

Coming off the third loss of the season, Alabama will look to bounce back and end the regular season with a win over its rival. So far, Roach has liked the team’s response in practice.

“There’s been a lot of good energy,” Roach said. “I think the most important part is we fixed the issues that we’ve created or that we may have and moved forward from it. Obviously, if you give up things in the previous game, you’re gonna see them again, or in previous games before the last game. And that’s the big thing. 

“Coach (Kalen) DeBoer says it all the time, go 1-0. At some point, you’ve gotta move on from the previous game. You’ve got a 24-hour rule. Whether you win or you lose, it’s 24 hours. Move on, understand what you’ve gotta do to be successful the next week and focus on that.”

Not a member, Alabama fans? Join BOL today!

Have you subscribed to BamaOnLine.com yet? You can sign up for ONE MONTH of premium access to our Alabama coverage for just $11.99! Be able to read all of BOL’s premium articles and nuggets covering Alabama sports and recruiting and also join thousands of other Crimson Tide fans around the globe on the BOL Round Table message board! CLICK HERE!