Kane Wommack accepts Alabama football defensive coordinator under Kalen DeBoer
Alabama football has landed its next defensive coordinator, and Kalen DeBoer didn't have to leave the state to do so.
South Alabama coach Kane Wommack informed his team Tuesday that he is resigning to become the next Crimson Tide defensive coordinator, a source with direct knowledge told The Tuscaloosa News.
Wommack, 36, has a 22-16 record over three seasons at South Alabama, having led the Jaguars to two bowl games. His best season was the 2022 season with a 10-3 record.
Wommack not only has coached in the South but also has SEC connections, going back to the fact his dad, Dave Wommack, coached around the SEC and the South as well.
After playing for Arkansas and Southern Miss, Wommack's coaching career began coaching at Tennessee-Martin then Jacksonville State before going to Ole Miss from 2012-13.
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He coordinated defenses for Eastern Illinois and South Alabama before he went to Indiana from 2018-2020. Wommack started out as linebackers coach his first season with the Hoosiers, but he soon added defensive coordinator to his title the last two seasons in Bloomington.
That's where he and DeBoer crossed paths. DeBoer served as offensive coordinator in 2019.
Indiana finished No. 20 in scoring defense in the nation in 2020 under Wommack. That season, he was a finalist for the Broyles award, given to the nation's top assistant coach.
Womack went to see his DeBoer in the Sugar Bowl, posting photos together on X.
With Nick Saban retiring and DeBoer replacing him, most of the coaching staff has experienced change. But change at defensive coordinator was inevitable, considering Kevin Steele planned to retire after the 2023 season, per ESPN.
Nick Kelly is the Alabama beat writer for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network, and he covers Alabama football and men's basketball. Reach him at nkelly@gannett.com or follow him @_NickKelly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Kane Wommack accepts Alabama football defensive coordinator job
