SEC News: Why does Kalen DeBoer keep hiring Baylor coaches to his Alabama staff?
I am really not sure what to do with this latest batch of SEC news.
Nick Saban has done enough to the Alabama brand so as to make it one of the most feared and respected in the entire sport. That script "A" brings cache with it—of course, prior to Saban, the Tide still had the history of Bear Bryant, et cetera, but Saban took it to another level.
That's part of why this latest news seems just so... odd.
It's no secret that Kalen DeBoer is having some trouble with filling out his staff. Mission one for him was retaining stud defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson. Robinson is now at Georgia—and, likely as a direct consequence, star safety Caleb Downs departed T-Town.
But that kind of thing happens. Something very similar came to pass with Elko and Elijah Robinson. I didn't think about the fact that they are both named "Robinson" until just now. Is there something there? Probably not. I—no. No, that was nothing. I apologize.
It's more than just that, though. Ryan Grubb—thus far attached at the hip with DeBoer—was originally announced to be the new OC at Alabama (after saying he wouldn't be leaving Washington) before leaving after one month to take the Seahawks OC job. This came after Grubb said only days before that he was staying. DeBoer promoted from within to replace him.
Now, facing the task of filling out the rest of his staff, DeBoer has turned to an... unlikely... pool of talent. I am, of course, speaking of the Baylor Bears.
Alabama is set to hire Baylor’s Christian Robinson as outside linebackers coach, a source tells @247sports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) February 19, 2024
The former Georgia linebacker previously worked at Auburn and Florida, including as the Gators’ interim DC. (@brucefeldmancfb 1st).https://t.co/dJORJ80Uo5 pic.twitter.com/q8DbJPOaSb
Alabama is set to hire Baylor’s Chris Kapilovic as its new offensive line coach, a source confirms to @247sports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) February 19, 2024
Before recently joining Baylor, Kapilovic spent four seasons at Michigan State. (@petethamel 1st).https://t.co/dJORJ80Uo5 pic.twitter.com/QV0Ij0jizw
Folks: what are we doing here? I mean, I have often said—and you can ask anyone about this—I have often said that Waco is the Tuscaloosa of Central Texas. That much is common knowledge. But it's beginning to look to me like DeBoer is taking that common-sense principle in entirely the wrong way.
Is this indicative of a larger trend that Alabama fans should be worried about? I don't necessarily think so. However, I don't think it is unfair to say that this could be chalked up to DeBoer's meteoric rise in the industry; he has come so far so quickly that he has not made as many networking opportunities as a guy who has been at this level for a longer time.
Plus, it's not like they're all Baylor coaches. He has other places he can draw from.
Alabama is set to hire Georgia Southern offensive coordinator Bryan Ellis as tight ends coach, sources tell @247sports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) February 19, 2024
Led the way as Georgia Southern ranked 18th nationally in total offense in 2022. Previously worked at USC and Western Kentucky. (@RyanCFowler 1st).… pic.twitter.com/BpYPIu0qZq
You know what? That didn't really help my point.