BREAKING: Kalen DeBoer to re-hire former Saban analyst

This offseason marks a transitional phase for Alabama football, blending elements of tradition with new beginnings. Kalen DeBoer is settling into his role as head coach, with the sounds of music reverberating behind Coleman Coliseum during spring practices while the enduring tradition of the 4th Quarter Program persists.

On Tuesday, a connection between the Nick Saban era and DeBoer’s tenure was solidified with the addition of John McNulty as the 11th off-field analyst under DeBoer. McNulty, a seasoned coach with NFL experience and recent stints at prestigious collegiate programs like Penn State, Notre Dame, and Boston College, returns to Tuscaloosa after previously working there last year. His hire was reported by 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz.

McNulty’s coaching journey began as a safety at Penn State in the late 1980s before transitioning to coaching, starting with Connecticut in 1995 and later moving to the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars in 1998. His return to Alabama follows his previous collaboration with Tommy Rees at Notre Dame and comes after a period of non-renewal when DeBoer took over the program.

McNulty joins holdovers Freddie Roach (defensive line) and Robert Gillespie (running backs) in DeBoer’s staff, which was announced on March 4 and features notable figures like special teams coordinator Jay Nunez, former Washington defensive coordinator Chuck Morrell, and Mark Sheridan, brother of offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan.

As the team navigates the introduction of a new offensive system, offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan emphasizes an adaptive approach tailored to the team’s evolving roster and skill sets. The coaching staff, including analysts like McNulty, Kirk Barron, Ryan Trevathan, Matt Shadeed, Mitch Dahlen, Jamey Mosely, Ali Smith, and Ron McKeefery, focuses on continual improvement without viewing challenges as obstacles, but rather as opportunities for growth and refinement.