Even with Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin officially staying put, the team still has three vacancies on its staff to fill. One of those job openings has just been filled by an in-house hire.
Alabama “intern” Tosh Lupoi has been officially promoted to coach the outside linebackers. Lupoi fills the vacancy created by Lance Thompson, who left Alabama for the same role at Auburn.
“We are happy to have Tosh on board as a full-time assistant coach,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban said in a statement. “Tosh has impressed me during his time here over the course of last year and he will be a great addition to our defensive staff. He’s a high-energy guy and we feel like he will be able to contribute some new ideas both as a coach on the field as well as his role as in recruiting.”
In conjunction with this official hire, BamaOnline is reporting that Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart will shift his own responsibilities from coaching the safeties to coaching the inside linebackers, filling the spot left vacant by now LSU defensive coordinator Kevin Steele. With Lupoi moving to outside linebackers, that leaves only one coaching vacancy to be filled and one administrative position open with the recent departure of Alabama player personnel director Tyler Siskey.
Lupoi has been with Alabama in his intern role since last season after being dismissed from Washington. He was the subject of an NCAA investigation for allegedly offering to pay for a recruit’s tutoring, but was cleared of all charges before joining the Crimson Tide’s staff.
“This is an incredible opportunity,” Lupoi said in a statement. “I’m extremely fortunate to join the best college football organization in the country. Fresh off our 24th SEC Championship, playoff appearance and pursing another top-rated signing class, it’s an exciting time at Alabama right now. I couldn’t be more fired up to be part of what Coach Saban and his excellent staff have established. I’m excited to contribute to this great University and organization that truly encompasses excellence on and off the field.”
Alabama’s new outside linebackers coach played at Cal and began his coaching career there. He’s known as a great recruiter and was named Rivals’ recruiter of the year in 2010 while at Cal. He moved to Washington in 2012, and was set to follow then-Huskies head coach Steve Sarkisian to USC when he moved, but the investigation halted that move.
Lupoi has already been on the recruiting trail for Alabama this season, and now he can move from his analyst role to a visible on-field one, coaching the team’s outside linebackers.
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