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Meet Alabama football’s new offensive staff after latest changes

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Meet Alabama football’s new offensive staff after latest changes


It’s been a tumultuous offseason for Alabama football in general, but the offensive coaching staff has been particularly shaken. When Kalen DeBoer took over for Nick Saban, he initially brought offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb with him, along with offensive line coach Scott Huff.

Then, the NFL came calling. Both Grubb and Huff left for jobs with the Seattle Seahawks, prompting more shakeup in Tuscaloosa. DeBoer got back to work, finishing out his on-field staff for the 2024 campaign, barring further defections.

Here’s what to know about each member of the offensive on-field coaching staff.

Nick Sheridan

After coming with DeBoer to serve as Alabama’s tight ends coach, Sheridan got a promotion. After the departure of Grubb, the Crimson Tide announced he will be offensive coordinator for the 2024 season, as well as quarterbacks coach.

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“It is a tremendous opportunity to join coach DeBoer at Alabama,” Sheridan said in a UA release. “I look forward to working with this offensive staff to develop a plan each week to put our team in a position to be successful. There is an unmatched legacy at Alabama, and I understand the importance of upholding that standard while developing our players.”

Sheridan has offensive coordinator experience, having taken the OC job at Indiana over from DeBoer when the latter got the head coach spot at Fresno State. He served in the role for two seasons in Bloomington.

After that, he went to coach tight ends for the Huskies under DeBoer. Sheridan’s other coaching stops included Tennessee, Western Kentucky and South Florida.

Sheridan played his college football at Michigan, as a quarterback for the Wolverines from 2006-2010.

JaMarcus Shephard

Another coach who came over from Washington, Shephard also picked up a title change after Grubb left. He’s now the wide receivers coach for the Tide, as well as assistant head coach and co-offensive coordinator.

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“I have a passion for coaching and developing our football players both on and off the field,” Shephard said in the UA release. “The chance to help coach DeBoer continue the standard at Alabama is something I take a lot of pride in working to accomplish. This is a special place, and I am excited about the opportunities that are in front of us.”

Shephard led an exceptional receiving core with the Huskies. Rome Odunze especially was one of the best in college football, collecting 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns on 92 catches last season.

He previously coached under Jeff Brohm at Purdue. Shephard also worked at Western Kentucky and Washington State.

He played wide receiver at DePauw University.

Robert Gillespie

DeBoer hung on to two members of Nick Saban’s coaching staff. One was Freddie Roach, who coaches the defensive line, the other is Gillespie, who is in charge of the Crimson Tide’s running backs.

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“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,” DeBoer said in a press release announcing the retentions. “These guys have great relationships with our players, are outstanding recruiters and have proven to be some of the best coaches in the country.”

Gillespie arrived in Tuscaloosa before the 2021 season. He received a promotion from DeBoer, to assistant head coach.

His prior coaching stops include North Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia. He played running back at Florida before a brief NFL career for Washington.

Chris Kapilovic

With Huff’s departure, DeBoer needed to fill the offensive line coach role. He looked to Chris Kapilovic, who joined up after a brief tenure at Baylor.

The school hasn’t made the hire official yet. However, Kapilovic updated his social media with his new position at Alabama.

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Kapilovic was announced as Baylor’s new offensive line coach in December. He spent the previous four seasons coaching the same position at Michigan State.

He brings offensive coordinator experience to the role, having done that job at North Carolina before going to Michigan State. Previous coaching stops include Southern Miss, Missouri State and Alabama State.

Bryan Ellis

With Sheridan’s move up to offensive coordinator, DeBoer moved to fill the tight ends coach job. He found his man at Georgia Southern, where Ellis had been working as the Eagles’ offensive coordinator.

Like Kapilovic, the Crimson Tide hasn’t announced the hire yet, but Ellis changed his social media bio and handle to reflect his role at UA. He spent two seasons at GS before coming to Tuscaloosa, working under head coach Clay Helton.

Before joining the Eagles, Ellis worked in various roles at Western Kentucky during two stints in Bowling Green, including a season as WKU’s offensive coordinator. He also coached at USC during Helton’s time there, coaching QBs in his final season with the Trojans.

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Ellis might be familiar to fans around Alabama, having played quarterback at UAB from 2007-2011. He started his college coaching career as a graduate assistant for the Blazers.



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Alabama

Alabama legislators discuss workforce at Yamaha facility | Boating Industry

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Alabama legislators discuss workforce at Yamaha facility | Boating Industry


“Yamaha’s presence in Jackson County has the potential to create jobs within the community,” said Alabama Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston. “I’m encouraged by the recruiting possibilities which could occur between Yamaha, the local school system and the community college which could lead to future workforce development in northern Alabama.”

Livingston and State Representative Mike Kirkland (R-Scottsboro) visited the Yamaha Test Facility in Bridgeport, Alabama, on June 18 to meet with employees and learn more about Yamaha’s workforce development opportunities as well as the company’s economic impact within the state of Alabama. Senate Majority Leader Livingston and Representative Kirkland also toured the 47,000 square-foot facility, which is used to test the durability and reliability of new and existing Yamaha Marine products.

Livingston was first elected to represent the 8th District of the Alabama Senate in 2014, then reelected in 2018 and 2022. His Republican colleagues elected him Majority Leader of the Alabama Senate in 2023. He is responsible for spearheading many projects including the transformation of the Alabama Department of Labor into the Alabama Department of Workforce Development, ensuring state residents can enter the workforce and secure skilled, good-paying jobs.

Government Relations Sr. Specialist, Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit, John O’Keefe and Site Manager, Bridgeport Marine Testing facility, Travis Watkins jointly led the tour of the facility.

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“Inviting elected officials to tour our facilities provides Yamaha with an opportunity to share our story,” said John O’Keefe, Sr. Specialist, Government Relations, Yamaha U.S Marine Business Unit. “More importantly though, it gives officials an occasion to meet and connect with the men and women who make up the Yamaha team and gain a better understating of the workforce development options available through the company.”

Livingston and Kirkland walked the entire facility, from the offices to the warehouses. They also enjoyed a boat ride on a 44-foot Pursuit OS 445 Offshore boat powered by three Yamaha 450-horsepower XTO Offshore outboards.

“It’s been about 20 years since I was last here, and I am just amazed at Yamaha’s progress. The Tennessee River is an economic engine for our communities here, and I think it’s great that Yamaha recognized the importance of the river and decided to build an important facility right here in our backyard,” said State Representative Mike Kirkland. “Jackson County is a great location, and this facility is outstanding.”



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Alabama governor appoints new district judge to 29th Judicial Circuit

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Alabama governor appoints new district judge to 29th Judicial Circuit


Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Monday announced the appointment of J. Scott Brewer as district judge in Talladega County’s 29th Judicial Circuit. Brewer will fill the vacancy left by Judge Jeb Fannin, who announced his retirement effective June 1 after serving for 15 years.

“A well-known lawyer and prosecutor throughout the 29th Judicial Circuit, Scott Brewer brings to his judgeship position decades of experience serving the people of Talladega County,” Ivey said. “Given his strong record of public service, I am confident in his new role he will continue to ensure that the law is applied correctly and fairly to all.”

Brewer earned his law degree from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law. He worked as an attorney for a private practice in 2004 and an assistant district attorney in 2008.

“I am excited about this new opportunity and am looking forward to working with the other judges, attorneys, court staff and the citizens of Talladega County,” Brewer said. “I want to thank my wife, family and others who supported me throughout this process. I also cannot thank District Attorney Steve Giddens enough for hiring me 16 years ago.”

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Brewer plans to begin serving on July 8, 2024.

Victor Hagan is the Alabama Election Reporting Fellow for the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at vhagan@gannett.com or on X @TheVictorHagan. To support his work, subscribe to the Advertiser.



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Spirit Airlines to launch first Alabama-based service at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport

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Spirit Airlines to launch first Alabama-based service at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport


Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) will soon welcome a new airline to the community, giving travelers another choice and a new nonstop destination. On Oct. 10, Spirit Airlines will begin daily service to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “This is a great day for our community,” Darlene Wilson, vice chair of the Birmingham Airport Authority Board,



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