DeBoer's Off-Field Staff Taking Shape

New Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer is building his own program, but he's not cleaning house. As reported by On3's Charlie Potter, DeBoer is "keeping some familiar names in the Crimson Tide program."

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In addition to Nick Saban assistants Robert Gillespie [running backs] and Freddie Roach {d-line, rumored to be a South Alabama HC candidate], DeBoer is expected to keep several key off-field staff members, as well. As Potter wrote, two of the biggest confirmed they would be returning on Twitter on Monday night. Director of sports performance David Ballou and director of sports medicine Jeff Allen both announced they would remain in Tuscaloosa.

Allen tweeted, "It’s Roll Tide forever with me! Beyond thankful to have the opportunity to serve Coach DeBoer and watch him lead this program! RTR! Go Bama!”

Later, Ballou announced his return with a simple, “Roll tide!”

Allen has been Alabama’s head athletic trainer since Saban got to Alabama in 2007. The 2023 season was Allen's 17th with the Tide and 32nd consecutive working as an athletic trainer in college football. At Alabama, Allen has a staff of 27 trainers who are responsible for the medical care of all Crimson Tide’s athletic teams.

That's a big deal. It would seem DeBoer approves.

Ballou is in his fourth year in Tuscaloosa and spends the most time with Alabama’s football players during the legendary Fourth Quarter off season program. After taking over for departed Scott Cochran, Ballou has implemented Saban’s offseason program since he arrived, and oversees the 37,000-square-foot weight room.

But there's more:

Potter points out that "as BamaOnLine reported, several other key staffers are expected to be back for the start of the DeBoer era at Alabama. That includes football chief operating officer Ellis Ponder, two directors of player development, Josh Chapman and Denzel Devall, associate director of recruiting Ashleigh Kimble and football analyst Jamey Mosley. Chapman, Devall and Mosley all played at Alabama under Saban and are expected to remain on DeBoer’s first staff," Potter wrote.