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Alabama Announces Addition of Freddie Roach to Coaching Staff

Former defensive line coach Brian Baker hired by Indianapolis Colts
Christopher Walsh|
Alabama Announces Addition of Freddie Roach to Coaching Staff
Alabama Announces Addition of Freddie Roach to Coaching Staff


TUSCALOOSA, Ala. –  University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban made the addition of Freddie Roach to the Crimson Tide coaching staff official on Thursday.

The former Alabama player is the Crimson Tide's new defensive line coach.

“We are pleased and happy to have Freddie Roach return to our staff at The University of Alabama,” Saban said in a release. “Freddie did a fantastic job at Ole Mis the last three years coaching their defensive line and we are excited to welcome him back to Tuscaloosa. 

"Freddie played here and has been a part of our staff on a couple of occasions. He brings a tremendous understanding of what we do on defense, how we run our program while proving to an outstanding recruiter.”

Meanwhile, Brian Baker, who previously held the staff position for one season after being hired away by Mississippi State, was announced as the new defensive line coach of the Indianapolis Colts. Also on that staff is former Crimson Tide wide receivers coach Mike Groh. 

Roach spent the last three seasons at Ole Miss.

The three previous years he was the Crimson Tide’ director of player development (2015-17). Roach’s first stint on the Alabama staff came from 2008-10 as an assistant strength and conditioning coach, during which time the Crimson Tide won both the BCS national championship and Southeastern Conference title in 2009.

“It is hard to even put into words how exciting it is to come back to The University of Alabama,” Roach said in a statement. “This is a fantastic opportunity to return home and work for Coach Saban and my alma mater. I have a great deal of respect for Coach and his accomplishments as well as the rich history of Alabama football. 

"I also understand the high expectations of both Coach Saban and the program. I am looking forward to helping continue that history of success.”

Roach also spent the 2013 and 2014 seasons as the defensive ends and outside linebackers coach at South Alabama under head coach Joey Jones. 

In 2012, Roach coached Murray State’s defensive line while also assisting with the strength and conditioning program. The previous fall, he coached the defensive line and was the director of strength and conditioning at East Mississippi Community College, helping lead the Lions to the NJCAA National Championship.

As a player, the product of Killen, Ala., was a four-year letterman at linebacker for the Crimson Tide from 2002-05. During his time at the Capstone, he was named the National Freshman of the Year in addition to earning freshman All-America accolades and was twice tabbed as a second team All-SEC honoree.

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Christopher Walsh
CHRISTOPHER WALSH

Christopher Walsh is the founder and publisher of Alabama Crimson Tide On SI, which first published as BamaCentral in 2018, and is also the publisher of the Boston College, Missouri and Vanderbilt sites . He's covered the Crimson Tide since 2004 and is the author of 27 books including “100 Things Crimson Tide Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die” and “Nick Saban vs. College Football.” He's an eight-time honoree of Football Writers Association of America awards and three-time winner of the Herby Kirby Memorial Award, the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s highest writing honor for story of the year. In 2022, he was named one of the 50 Legends of the ASWA. Previous beats include the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, along with Major League Baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks. Originally from Minnesota and a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, he currently resides in Tuscaloosa.

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