BREAKING: Former Alabama Safety Gets CUSA Defensive Coordinator Job
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Vinnie Sunseri Named Defensive Coordinator at Jacksonville State
Former Alabama safety Vinnie Sunseri has been hired as the defensive coordinator for Jacksonville State under new head coach Charles Kelly, a former Alabama defensive coach.
“Vinnie is one of the brightest young coaches in the country,” Kelly said in a press release. “He brings unmatched energy, extensive football knowledge, and a strong dedication to excellence. His experience as a player and coach at the highest levels makes him the ideal candidate to elevate our defense. We’re excited to see the impact he’ll have on our program.”
Sunseri played for Alabama from 2011 to 2014, winning two national championships. After being drafted by the New Orleans Saints, he spent a few years in the NFL before transitioning to coaching. He started as a graduate assistant at Alabama, worked as an assistant for the New England Patriots, and most recently served as the safeties coach at Washington. This marks his first opportunity as a coordinator.
Today’s Crimson Tide Schedule
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Recent Results
- Women’s basketball: No. 19 Alabama 79, Florida 69
Did You Notice?
Cameras captured Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian having a moment with kicker Bert Auburn before a missed potential game-winning field goal in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal. Reflecting on this, former Alabama head coach Nick Saban told Pat McAfee he avoided talking to kickers before crucial kicks. “When I saw that, I thought, ‘I never talked to these guys when they had to make a kick,'” Saban said with a laugh. “I didn’t want them to overthink it or lose confidence.”
Other Updates
- Former Alabama player Rob Ezell has been named offensive coordinator at Wake Forest.
- Alabama punter James Burnip, despite being out of eligibility, officially declared for the 2025 NFL Draft.
On This Day in Crimson Tide History
- 1987: University President Joab Thomas and Georgia Tech head coach Bill Curry reached an agreement for Curry to succeed Ray Perkins.
- 1992: Blake Sims, Alabama quarterback, was born in Gainesville, Georgia.
- 2007: Nick Saban resigned from the Miami Dolphins and flew to Tuscaloosa to sign an eight-year, $32 million contract to become Alabama’s head coach. The deal, then the richest in college football history, was initially met with criticism.
Crimson Tide Quote of the Day
Welcome to DEACTOWN, @RobEzell 🎩
📰: https://t.co/08j4RywjFF pic.twitter.com/cxexFOFPyu
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) January 2, 2025
“I told the pilots when they dropped me off in Miami that if I didn’t come back to this plane with Nick Saban, they should just go on and take me to Cuba.” — Mal Moore