JUST IN: Kalen DeBoer has reportedly hired the Alabama Crimson Tide’s next offensive line and tight ends as assistant coaches. Alabama fans have good reason to be pleased with the additions.

According to various sources, Kalen DeBoer has hired two additional Alabama football assistant coaches. The two additions round out the Alabama Crimson Tide’s on-field assistant coaching staff for 2024.

Pete Thamel revealed that Chris Kapilovic has been chosen as DeBoer’s offensive line assistant. Kapilovic departs Dave Aranda’s Baylor staff despite being a fresh hire. Kapilovic spent four seasons at Michigan State before joining Baylor. In 2020, he was the assistant coach/OL. His title at Michigan State for the 2021–23 season was Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line and Run Game Coordinator.

Since 2001, Kapilovic has coached offensive linemen at Alabama State, Missouri State, Southern Miss, North Carolina, and Colorado. The next Crimson Tide coach was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and played offensive tackle at Missouri State. In addition to OL coaching, he oversaw run games at several programs and served as offensive coordinator at North Carolina for five seasons.

Kapilovic achieved great success at Michigan State. He was named the Big Ten’s best offensive line coach following the 2022 season. Kapilovic’s offensive lines advanced to the Joe Moore Award semifinals in 2015 and 2021. His 2018 offensive line at North Carolina allowed only 10 sacks, and three of his 2012 (UNC) starters were taken into the NFL.

Alabama football insiders responded quickly and enthusiastically. Dave Aranda clearly sees the move as a major setback for Baylor. Kapilovic reportedly declined an offer to coach alongside Lincoln Riley while at Michigan State.

Ryan Fowler announced Kalen DeBoer’s alleged other new appointment. According to Fowler, Georgia Southern’s offensive coordinator, Bryan Ellis, will become an assistant coach for the Alabama Crimson Tide’s tight ends. Ellis played quarterback for UAB from 2007 until 2011. Prior to Georgia Southern, Ellis coached receivers and quarterbacks at UCS and Western Kentucky.

The two rumoured new recruits are consistent with Kalen DeBoer’s trend. He has assembled a new Alabama football staff that includes coaches with extensive experience coaching numerous positions. While some of their previous locations were not great programs, DeBoer’s first Alabama staff’s combined coaching experience is significant.