New Alabama Football DC Kane Wommack Brings Energy to Crimson Tide
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— First-year Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer turned to a familiar face when it was time to bring aboard a new defensive coordinator. Kane Wommack, the former South Alabama head coach who was the defensive coordinator at Indiana while DeBoer was the offensive coordinator, was the pick to replace the retired Kevin Steele.
Wommack, who turns 37 next month and also coaches linebackers, previously spent three seasons at the helm in Mobile, Ala. He is one of two individuals, the other being co-DC and cornerbacks coach Maurice Linguist, who transitioned from a job as an FBS head coach to joining DeBoer's defensive staff at Alabama.
He's made it a point to bring energy to practice and to his players. He was vocally involved in Wednesday's spring practice, the second of the DeBoer era, even spending time working hands-on with the defensive backs. "The responsibility as a defensive coordinator is to set the tone for what you're looking for," Wommack said.
"I write on my notes every single day, before we go out, on my paper: 'You set the standard. You are the standard for how you want things done.' I think leaders lead from the front and they serve everyone else around them... If I ask our players to bring energy every single day, I need to bring energy every single day."
The standard is a major item Wommack seeks to uphold, and effort is instrumental to it. "Those things are palpable," he said. "It takes a special effort to do those things." The things referred to are the items necessary to continue playing Alabama football at a high level. That, among other points, includes an attention to detail that the new defensive coordinator described as relentless.
Linebacker Deontae Lawson, one of the experienced leaders of the Crimson Tide defense, senses the energy. "Just the energy you need in a defensive coordinator," Lawson said. "Very high-energy guy, running around with us at practice, and just being that leader on the defense." Wommack has been impressed with Lawson's presence and the way the Mobile native carries himself.
"When you look at what this place is, there's a standard here that in college football, is respected across the board, and you want to be a part of those things," Wommack said. "Ultimately, my job is to set the standard, cast vision, and then hold everybody accountable to the relentless detail that it takes to accomplish that vision."
