Alabama football introduces Doug Marrone as new offensive line coach

Doug Marrone joins Nick Saban’s Alabama football staff as the offensive line coach.

Nick Saban makes another fantastic hire for his Alabama football staff, as he has brought in former NFL and college head coach Doug Marrone to coach up his offensive linemen.

Marrone most recently spent the last four-plus years as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2017, Jacksonville made its third trip to the AFC Championship game in franchise history. Before arriving in Jacksonville, Marrone served as the Buffalo Bills head coach for two years and led his alma mater Syracuse Orange before making the trek to the NFL in 2013.

“We are extremely fortunate to be able to add Doug Marrone to our staff,” said Saban. “He knows our new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien well and will do a fantastic job with our offensive line.”

“He has extensive experience as not only an offensive line coach, but also as a head coach at Syracuse and in the NFL with Buffalo and Jacksonville. Doug has an excellent track record for recruiting and developing players. I’m excited about his ability to help our players reach their full potential.”

“I have always admired the programs Coach Saban has built, and I am excited to have the opportunity to join his staff here at Alabama,” said Marrone. “Coach’s program is the model of consistency, and I am looking forward to helping continue that tradition of success with an exceptional group of players and coaches.”

Doug Marrone joins his former college colleague Bill O’Brien in Tuscaloosa

Marrone has to replace Kyle Flood, who followed former offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian to the Texas Longhorns. Replacing Sarkisian is none other than former Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien. Alabama not only gets two former AFC South head coaches in one offseason cycle, but they worked together for years on George O’Leary’s Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets staff.

Saban does a remarkable job of eyeing coaching talent. 1/16th of last year’s NFL head coaches are now on his offensive staff. He was also able to pry former North Carolina Tar Heels running backs coach Robert Gillespie out of Chapel Hill to replace Charles Huff, who is now running the Marshall Thundering Herd. It seems as though Saban has thoroughly replenished his coaching arsenal.

Alabama’s offensive line will not skip a beat with Marrone taking over for Flood in 2021.

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