Kane Wommack Joins DeBoer's Staff As Alabama's Next Defensive Coordinator

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer officially has his defensive coordinator after University of South Alabama head coach Kane Wommack informed his team of his decision on Tuesday morning.

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"I deeply appreciate Kane's service to our program, university and city," USA Director of Athletics Joel Erdmann said. "His efforts propelled us forward and we wish him and Melissa the very best."

The hire comes after Patch confirmed Sunday that DeBoer interviewed former Alabama defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson for several hours and offered him the job, before Robinson opted to stay at Georgia as its co-defensive coordinator.

Wommack leaves for Tuscaloosa after three seasons as head coach of the Jaguars, leading USA to a record of 22-16 and the program's first-ever bowl championship with a 59-10 victory over Eastern Michigan in the 68 Ventures Bowl.

Wommack served as the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator in 2016-2017 before working three years as linebackers coach at Indiana, along with serving as the Hoosiers’ defensive coordinator his final two seasons. It was during this time that he was on the coaching staff along with then-assistant Kalen DeBoer, who served as IU's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2019.

The 36-year-old coach also was named one of five finalists for the Broyles Award, presented to the best assistant in college football, after Indiana posted a 6-2 mark overall on the way to finishing 12th in the final Associated Press poll.

Wommack played college football at both Arkansas and Southern Mississippi, where he began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant.

Wommack and his wife, Melissa, have three sons: Asher, Tatum and Jones. His father, Dave Wommack, was also a notable college coach with more than three decades of experience, including serving as defensive coordinator at Ole Miss before retiring following the 2016 season.

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