Alabama's newly appointed head coach, Kalen DeBoer, is swiftly assembling his inaugural staff, with reports indicating that he is close to finalizing his team in Tuscaloosa. DeBoer, who recently made the transition from Washington in a rapid 49-hour coaching search, is expected to bring over his longtime offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard, and director of scouting Jerret McElwain.

According to a report by ESPN's Chris Low, at least two coaches from Nick Saban's 2023 staff are expected to stay on board. Freddie Roach, the defensive line coach, and Robert Gillespie, the running backs coach, will continue working with the Crimson Tide under DeBoer's leadership.

Bruce Feldman of The Athletic has confirmed part of Low's report and also added that Washington's offensive line coach, Scott Huff, and tight ends coach, Nick Sheridan, will be joining DeBoer at Alabama.

DeBoer expressed the importance of having coaches with SEC and southeast ties to complement his experiences on the West Coast and in Indiana. In his words, he is actively seeking to surround himself with the right people who can guide him in navigating the college football landscape.

JaMarcus Shephard, who served as the wide receivers coach for the Huskies in 2022, comes highly recommended. Prior to his time at Washington, Shephard had a stint at Purdue. Meanwhile, Jerret McLewain, a UA alumnus and son of longtime coach Jim McElwain, will bring a wealth of knowledge to the director of scouting position, having previously worked as a recruiting specialist under Saban in 2015.

Both Roach and Gillespie will contribute their expertise and familiarity with Alabama's football program. Roach, a native of Alabama and a graduate of UA, joined the coaching staff in 2020. Gillespie, who possesses extensive SEC experience, arrived at Alabama in 2021.

The athletic director of the University of Alabama, Greg Byrne, emphasized the significance of having staff members who understand the culture of the Southeast, including "sweet tea and grits." He expressed his intention to support DeBoer's vision while acknowledging the success of his previous staff.

In an update on social media, Ryan Grubb confirmed his departure from Washington, where he had hoped to take over DeBoer's position. Meanwhile, former Washington assistant Courtney Morgan is already working towards helping DeBoer in retaining UA players.

As DeBoer finalizes his coaching staff, the anticipation surrounding Alabama football's future under his leadership continues to grow. The Crimson Tide faithful eagerly await the official announcement of DeBoer's full team, as the program remains committed to maintaining its tradition of excellence on the gridiron.