DeBoer Promotes Alabama Assistants Roach, Gillespie

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama football head coach Kalen DeBoer on Wednesday announced that he will promote longtime Crimson Tide assistants Freddie Roach and Robert Gillespie to elevated positions on his coaching staff in addition to their current roles.

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Roach — a native of Killen and a former standout linebacker for the Crimson Tide — is going into his fifth season at Alabama and will assume associate head coach duties while also coaching the Crimson Tide's defensive line.

During his tenure at Alabama, Roach has coached four of his Alabama defensive linemen to the NFL ranks.

Roach also had a previous stint under Nick Saban from 2015-17 as the Tide's director of player development while also serving as a liaison for high school coaches and assisting with Alabama camps and clinics.

Gillespie is also no stranger to Tuscaloosa as he starts his fourth season at Alabama as running backs coach. Over this time, he is credited with tutoring three NFL running backs, including first-round picks Jahmyr Gibbs and Najee Harris, in addition to Washington Commanders starter Brian Robinson Jr.

DeBoer announced that Gillespie will also serve as the Tide's assistant head coach.

"After meeting both of these guys, it was very clear to me that keeping Freddie and G as part of the staff was going to be important to our success," DeBoer said in a statement. "These guys have great relationships with our players, are outstanding recruiters and have proven to be some of the best coaches in the country."

The financial terms of the promotions remain subject to approval by the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees.

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