Alabama Football Assistant Coach Taking Coordinator Job in SEC

The No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide is getting set for a Rose Bowl semifinal game with the No. 1 Michigan Wolverines this month, but December also means a month of transition.

The transfer portal is open and the coaching carousel is operating in full force. Alabama outside linebacker's coach and special teams coordinator Coleman Hutzler is reportedly on the move. Hutzler is set to take over as defensive coordinator in Starkville for the Mississippi State Bulldogs according to Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports.

Hutzler is a seasoned SEC defensive assistant, with stops at Florida, Ole Miss, South Carolina and, the last two seasons, Alabama. He was nominated for the 2017 Broyles Award as South Carolina’s special teams coordinator and LBs coach under Will Muschamp.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 6, 2023

Hutzler just wrapped up his second season with the Crimson Tide as the outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator. He's overseen Will Anderson, Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell during his time in Tuscaloosa as well as coordinated the special teams.

He's been all over college football, having spent time at South Carolina, Texas and Ole Miss prior to joining Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa. Hutzler was nominated for the Broyles Award in 2017 during his time in South Carolina while he oversaw the Gamecocks special teams.

Hutzler played linebacker at Middlebury College and then began his coaching career at the University of San Diego.

He'll join Jeff Lebby's staff in Starkville and coach a unit that finished 41st in total defense, allowing 350 yards per game. His first task will be establishing new defensive leadership as graduate linebacker Jett Johnson departs the program.

BamaCentral's Austin Hannon reports that it is very likely Hutzler will stay with the Crimson Tide throughout the duration of the postseason run.

I’m told it’s very likely Hutzler will remain with #Alabama through the remainder of the season. https://t.co/IerNxYscvX
— Austin Hannon (@austinhannon_) December 6, 2023

Stay tuned to BamaCentral as this story continues to develop.