What Alabama coaches said about Malachi Moore, who won't be suspended

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama defensive back Malachi Moore had an uncharacteristic moment near the end of the Crimson Tide’s 40-35 road loss against Vanderbilt this past weekend.

The fifth-year senior received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after kicking the ball while the Commodores were lining up to kneel the ball. Alabama then tried to substitute Moore out of the game, sending Bray Hubbard on the field, but Moore waved him off, refusing to leave before the eventual defeat. Moore released a statement, apologizing for his actions.

The Tide coaches also commented on both Moore’s behavior and his response in its wake.

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer was asked if Moore will receive any kind of suspension.

“No, we have handled it,” DeBoer said. “And I’m just gonna say this about Malachi – what he did, he has gone above and beyond in owning, taking ownership in it. And this is pretty much immediately after the game to this morning, things that are all prompted by him but also part of just our conversations.”

Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Kane Wommack had a similar answer. But he was asked specifically about Moore defying his direct orders to leave the field following the penalty.

“I’m not sure anybody cares more about Alabama football than Malachi,” Wommack said. “In that moment, when emotions are running high – certainly he has been held accountable for some of the actions and the penalty he incurred there at the end of the game. 

“I think Malachi handled it really well with his teammates. We are continuing to work to make sure we address it the right way across the board.”

Both DeBoer and Wommack went out of their way to commend Moore as a player and person, especially after the head coaching change. They spoke highly of UA’s two-time captain.

“When we first got here, Malachi has had our back from Day 1 as a coaching staff coming in,” Wommack said. “He’s been incredibly supportive and a great leader for our players. He really does things to the level and the standard that we want them. In that moment, he got a little bit emotional, so we were going to try to settle him down just a little bit. Sometimes, those situations, it’s better to let them calm down at a later time.

“But again, I thought he’s handled things really well since that point and has taken the level of accountability that Coach DeBoer implemented. He’s done a really good job moving forward.”

Added DeBoer, “The thing I want to make sure ‘Bama fans know is that this guy has been rock solid and been a critical, critical piece – along with others; there are some others as well – of keeping this thing together since January. When a lot of guys chose to leave, this guy stood firm. This guy loves Alabama football. He works relentlessly out there every single day on the football field. It’s the passion that I hope – I mean, the question was asked about me and the passion and frustration. I mean, that’s what you saw from him. 

“And so yeah, there were some things that he regrets and wishes he probably didn’t do, yeah. But he’s owned up to it, and we’ve handled it internally and still handling it internally. He’s a first-class guy. He is out in the community weekly. That’s just part of who he is, doing things to give back, understanding the platform he has.

“A lot of eyes are on our program, a lot of eyes are on him. And this guy plays hard for himself, his teammates, but this program means so much to him. And so it doesn’t make it right. It doesn’t make it right by any means, what some of the actions were. 

“But I just want people to understand also that he’s had my and our back since Day 1, and there comes a point, too, where sometimes, as things play out, you’ve gotta have your guy’s back, as well, and understand that we all make mistakes and we all just gotta own up to it. And we’re doing that, and we will continue to move on.”

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