Alabama announces promotions for 2 holdovers from Nick Saban's final staff

Finally, Alabama football has started to officially announce members of Kalen DeBoer’s first coaching staff in Tuscaloosa.

More than a month after he was officially hired on Jan. 12, UA Athletics confirmed two long-expected promotions to the lone on-field coaching holdovers from Nick Saban’s final staff.

Freddie Roach, previously the Tide’s defensive line coach, has added the title of associate head coach ahead of his fifth season. Robert Gillespie is now an assistant head coach after leading the running backs for four seasons.

Both positions likely come with raises. Roach earned $775,000 and Gillespie made $625,000, which ranked 120th and 177th, respectively, among USA Today’s database of assistant coach salaries.

UA has yet to release the details of their new contracts and that of DeBoer’s new deal, expected to be upwards of $10 million annually. In a press release announcing the elevation of Roach and Gillespie, Alabama stated the University’s Board of Trustees “have been notified” of the agreements but have yet to officially approve them.

Said DeBoer in a statement provided by the program: “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. These guys have great relationships with our players, are outstanding recruiters and have proven to be some of the best coaches in the country.”

DeBoer’s first staff appears to contain a mix of Washington ties and Alabama influences he sought. Former Huskies tight ends coach Nick Sheridan is reportedly being elevated to offensive coordinator after the departure of Ryan Grubb to the Seattle Seahawks. Grubb also took Scott Huff, the expected offensive line coach, with him to the NFL.

The rest of Alabama’s coaches, per multiple reports and their personal Twitter bios, include:

• Kane Wommack (defensive coordinator/linebackers)
• Maurice Linguist (defensive backs/co-defensive coordinator)
• Colin Hitschler (defensive backs/co-defensive coordinator)
• JaMarcus Shephard (wide receiver)
• William Inge (linebackers)
• Jay Nunez (special teams)

Roach has made multiple stops across the Southeastern Conference following a playing career with the Tide from 2002-05. Gillespie joined Saban and co. ahead of the 2021 season after a three-year run at North Carolina. This fall will mark Gillespe’s 19th season as a coach.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at NAlvarez@al.com.