Alabama Hires New Offensive Line Coach

Alabama has found its next offensive line coach.

The Crimson Tide have reportedly hired former Kentucky OL coach Eric Wolford to replace Doug Marrone who is still with the team but appears to not be returning for next season.

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Marrone joined the Alabama staff prior to the 2021 season and, despite high hopes for the former Jaguars head coach, underperformed as the leader of the offensive line.

In many contests this season, Alabama's line simply looked outmatched against various opponents, most notably Georgia in the national title game when the Bulldogs managed to sack Bryce Young four times and conquer the Crimson Tide.

Wolford spent 2021 as the OL coach for Kentucky but began his coaching career in 1996 at Emporia State before moving on to the same position at several other schools. In 2010, Wolford took the head coaching job at Youngstown State where he compiled a 31-26 record in five seasons before moving back to coach the offensive line for the San Francisco 49ers.

Alabama looks to replace both Evan Neal and Chris Owens at the tackle positions this season, meaning Wolford will have his work cut out for him in his first offseason as a Crimson Tide coach.

Marrone is reported to be returning to the NFL and his connections there would certainly indicate so. Marrone's former OC while he was head coach of the Jags, Nathaniel Hackett, is now head coach of the Denver Broncos and could be searching for some additions to his staff.

Further rumors of Bill O'Brien potentially replacing Josh McDaniels in New England have also linked the Alabama coach to a job in the AFC East, meaning his departure from the Crimson Tide is all but certain at this point.