These former Alabama football stars could come coach with Nick Saban one day.
Nick Saban has rebuilt the Alabama football program into a national power house, and these former Crimson Tide stars could return to coach with him in Tuscaloosa at some point.
Being on Saban’s coaching staff does wonders for one’s coaching resume. There is not a better way to rehabilitate one’s coaching image than getting the Saban treatment. Conversely, there may not be a better spot to coach in the Power Five than at Alabama. So what if a former Crimson Tide star makes his triumphant return to the Bryant-Denny sidelines as a member on Saban’s staff?
If any former Alabama stars return to Tuscaloosa to coach one day, it could be one of these three.
Alabama football: 3 former Crimson Tide stars who could coach with Nick Saban
Dont’a Hightower has starred for Nick Saban, as well as his mentor Bill Belichick
While one could argue Dont’a Hightower is too much of a star to seriously consider a coaching profession post-career, we have to wonder how much longer he will be playing in the NFL. Hightower was one of the handful of New England Patriots who opted out of the 2020 season. The 2021 campaign will be his age-31 season out of Alabama, so his career is winding down.
Though it remains to be seen what Hightower wants to do after his playing career ends, what gives him a great leg up to join Saban’s staff is three-fold: One, he was there playing for Saban when Alabama turned it around in the late 2000s. Two, he plays a key defensive position at inside linebacker. And three, one of Saban’s most notable mentors is Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.
Hightower has been a two-time Pro Bowler in New England and is an incredibly instinctive player. He may be able to join Saban’s Crimson Tide staff initially as a quality control analyst before getting to work with the linebackers or other defensive front-seven players. Because he stars on Saban’s side of the ball, that could open the door for Hightower to return to Alabama as a coach.
Let’s just say if Hightower wants to get into coaching, Alabama could be very interested in him.