Alabama’s Secret Weapon for the Iron Bowl: A Family Tradition

There was a bit of confusion at the University of Alabama's football practice facility on Tuesday.

During an interview with Tim Smith, a seasoned defensive lineman, he mentioned that Kane Wommack's father had been around the team, helping out his son.

Given how important the Iron Bowl is, that's a great resource for the Crimson Tide.

Dave Wommack, now retired, was a long-time defensive coach. He was the defensive coordinator at Ole Miss from 2012 to 2016, working closely with Hugh Freeze during the years they managed to beat Alabama in 2014 and 2015.

Kane Wommack, his son, was a graduate assistant at Ole Miss from 2012 to 2013 before setting out on his own career.

Kane Wommack is an excellent coach. His presence at Alabama this season is a strong endorsement of new head coach Kalen DeBoer. Wommack left a great job as the head coach of South Alabama to become the defensive coordinator who follows in Nick Saban's footsteps in Tuscaloosa.

That's a bold career move, showing Wommack’s strong belief in DeBoer.

Wommack led South Alabama to 10 wins in 2022 and seven wins last season. He ended his time in Mobile with a 59-10 victory over Eastern Michigan in the 68 Ventures Bowl. Instead of returning for his fourth season at South Alabama, Wommack accepted the offer from the Crimson Tide.

So, what kind of defensive coordinator is Wommack? Smith, the defensive lineman, is a big fan.

“Kane is an awesome defensive coordinator,” Smith said. “When he first got here, things were a bit rocky because we had new players and a whole new coaching staff. So, they were trying to learn about us, just as we were trying to learn about them.

“But I love Wommack as a DC. He has his father around to give him advice now and then. He’s easy to talk to. If you have any questions, you can go to his office, and he’ll sit down and explain things to you. I love Wommack as a DC.”

To make sure I understood correctly, I asked one of Alabama’s PR staff if I had heard Smith right. The staffer looked at me strangely and strongly denied it. No, Wommack’s father had absolutely not been at practice, the staffer said.

Odd.

I went back and listened to my recording of the interview. Clear as day, Smith said that Dave Wommack had been helping out.

It’s possible the PR staffer didn’t know who Dave Wommack is, so we’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. By November, having a family of Wommacks to help plan for Freeze’s offense in the Iron Bowl can only benefit the Crimson Tide.

Freeze and Auburn nearly defeated Alabama in the 2023 Iron Bowl, but we all know what happened. A miracle touchdown pass from Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe to receiver Isaiah Bonds on 4th-and-31 gave us one of the most dramatic endings in the rivalry's history.

Now Saban is retired, and everything has changed at Alabama.

People assume Alabama will struggle without Saban. But I’m beginning to think the Crimson Tide might actually get better with this new coaching staff. It sounds like Alabama’s new offense under DeBoer is about to shake things up in the SEC.

When I asked Wommack why he took a chance on DeBoer and decided to be the one to replace Saban’s defense, here’s what he said:

“Kalen and I have been through tough situations together before,” Wommack said. “When you get to know Kalen DeBoer, you see the confidence he has. It’s a humble confidence, but as players and coaches, the way he conducts himself, the way he plans games, and the pressure his offense puts on opponents, I thought working with him again was an opportunity I was really excited about.

“We talk about this all the time—the best players step up in the biggest moments. It’s the same for coaches. Coach Saban set the standard for what defensive play should look like in college football over the last three decades. To step into that role, to run this defense, and make some changes, I wanted to take advantage of that opportunity.

“I wanted to continue the legacy he created here and build on the defensive foundation we have. So, I thought this was a special opportunity, one I couldn’t pass up.”

Wommack knows DeBoer’s offense is about to score a lot of points. On the defensive side, it’s safe to say this new era of Alabama football will feel like a family affair during the Iron Bowl week.