Every person on the Alabama football coaching staff plays an important role, but their impacts can vary from season to season.
For example: some seasons, one position group might need more development and coaching. Other seasons, another position group might be inexperienced and need more guidance. Or an overall side of the football needs an overhaul.
Heading into 2025, here are the five most important assistant coaches who will be crucial for the Crimson Tide to win a championship.
1. Ryan Grubb, offensive coordinator
Alabama’s offense wasn’t good enough on a consistent basis a season ago. That doesn’t fall solely on the play caller, but fixing it is Grubb’s task. He should be up to it; prior to his lone year running an NFL offense, Grubb ran some of college football’s best offenses at Washington. In each season, Grubb’s offenses ranked in the top 15 in scoring and top two in passing yards per game. He was Alabama’s most impactful offseason move, and he will need that to reflect on the field.
3/7/25 MFB Spring Practice 3 Alabama Football Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) Nick Sheridan Alabama Quarterback Ty Simpson (15) Alabama Football Offensive Coordinator Ryan Grubb Photo by Kent Gidley Crimson Tide Photos / UA Athletics
2. Nick Sheridan, co-OC/quarterbacks
He’s not calling the plays anymore, but he’s the most important non-coordinator in 2025. Sheridan is tasked with training the next starter at quarterback; at this point, Ty Simpson is leading the pack. Sheridan will also be responsible for developing the young talent in the room in Austin Mack and Keelon Russell. The former Michigan quarterback will be vital this season.
3. Christian Robinson, outside linebackers
Alabama needs more pass rush from its defense. That falls on more than the outside linebackers, but they’re a key piece. Robinson, a rising star in the business, will be the one responsible for helping guys such as Qua Russaw, Jah-Marien Latham and more take the next step.
4. Maurice Linguist, co-DC/defensive backs
Cornerback and safety might be two of the best positions on the roster this season. Why include Linguist on this list? Well, he’s overseeing all of it, and that means deciding whom to play where and when. Alabama has a handful of playing-time-worthy defensive backs. How does Linguist manage the list of players that includes Domani Jackson, Zabien Brown, Keon Sabb, Bray Hubbard, DaShawn Jones, Zavier Mincey, Dijon Lee, Cam Calhoun and more? Linguist probably can’t go wrong, but he has decisions to make nonetheless.
Alabama defensive back Zabien Brown (15) works with Alabama co-defensive coordinator Maurice Linguist, right, during Alabama’s spring football practice, Wednesday, March 6, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)AP
5. Kane Wommack, defensive coordinator
The defense has a chance to be elite. It ended the first season under Wommack as a top-10 scoring defense. Then, most of the defense returned in 2025. That brings top-five expectations. It’s up to Wommack to get the defense there. A stout defense would go a long way toward helping whoever starts at quarterback.
Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for Follow him on X and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.