Tommy Rees, Mike Norvell, Kalen DeBoer emerge as top Alabama candidates: Sources

The Athletic has discovered from quite a few sources accustomed to the method that Tommy Rees, the offensive coordinator for Alabama, Mike Norvell, the coach of Florida State, and Kalen DeBoer, the coach of Washington, are the highest three candidates for the Alabama teaching put up left empty by Nick Saban’s retirement.

In keeping with insiders, conferences with Greg Byrne, the athletic director of Alabama, are anticipated to conclude by the tip of the day on Thursday, and an announcement could also be made as early as Friday.

In 2023, Rees, 31, concluded his freshman 12 months at Alabama. He was the quarterbacks coach at Notre Dame from 2017 to 19 and the offensive coordinator for the ultimate three seasons of his tenure there, which ran from 2017 to 2022. In the course of the Saban period, Rees was one of many youngest assistants. He was accountable for Alabama’s 2023 offense, which noticed quarterback Jalen Milroe develop into a family title by the 2024 season.

Norvell’s buyout is proscribed to $4 million, however his excellent reconstruction of the Seminoles. After taking up a floundering membership, he went from three wins to 5 wins to 10 wins and, after going 13-1, to the verge of the playoffs in simply 4 seasons. Like DeBoer, the 42-year-old Texan has by no means held a training place within the SEC. Nevertheless, Norvell has demonstrated a powerful command of the switch portal and could be a precious addition to the Tide. The NCAA switch portal’s acquisition of Terrence Ferguson II, an offensive lineman for Alabama, was hailed by Norvell on social media on Thursday.

In his two seasons in Seattle, DeBoer has carried out admirably. Two years in the past, he took over a 4–8 squad, and this season, he led them to the nationwide championship sport. The 49-year-old DeBoer has an unimaginable profession report of 104-12. He received three NAIA nationwide titles at Sioux Falls. The Huskies have a 10-1 report towards groups ranked within the prime 25 during the last two years. DeBoer’s report versus rated opponents is 12-2 total.

Jake Dickert, the pinnacle coach of Washington State, mentioned to The Athletic final week, “As head coaches, all of us speak about poise within the second, however he simply lives it.” He exudes calmness and composure. He has the endurance to persevere by each state of affairs.

Whether or not it’s true or not, he demonstrates the significance of teaching as a result of almost each participant on the present roster was a member of the 4–8 squad two years prior. I do know quarterback Michael Penix wasn’t, however the majority of the others have been. That man’s transformation is fairly wonderful what he is achieved. I’m conscious that the teaching group as an entire respects him.

The native of South Dakota is acultubuilder and offensive genius.His daughter might be a freshman on the Huskies softball staff subsequent 12 months, and he’s in love with Washington. DeBoer simply employed Jimmy Sexton, the identical agent as Saban and plenty of SEC coaches. This will likely give some at Alabama pause, given he has by no means labored within the SEC, which is taken into account as a definite animal. Sexton would possibly cut price for important pay will increase for different coaches in gentle of the Bama opening.
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