[ad_1]
A week after the job opened, Alabama found a new running back coach.
The Crimson Tide is about to hire North Carolina running backs coach Robert Gillespie to fill the same role at Tuscaloosa, BamaOnLine has learned. Yahoo! Sports first reported the rental.
In Alabama, Gillespie will replace Charles Huff, who has spent the last two seasons with the Tide. Huff was officially hired as the Marshall Thundering Herd’s head coach last Sunday.
A former Florida member from 1998-2001, Gillespie has spent the last 15 years coaching the position at the Power 5 level. He has spent the last three seasons in North Carolina and last year coached a pair of. 1,000-yard rushers to Michael Carter and Javonte Williams.
Gillespie had been in Tennessee the previous five seasons, working under Butch Jones, and he coached players in Knoxville like former UA tailback Alvin Kamara. He also served as a running backs coach in West Virginia (2011-12), Oklahoma (2009-10) and South Carolina (2006-08). Gillespie began coaching as a graduate assistant in South Carolina in 2005.
Hailing from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Gillespie traveled 1,854 yards during his four-year career in Florida. He finished his college career second all-time for the Gators in receptions (96) and receiving yards (1091) by a running back. Gillespie was the 2001 team captain, helping the Gators to a 56-23 Orange Bowl victory over Maryland.
Despite the loss of starter Najee Harris in the 2021 NFL Draft, Alabama will have one of the best running rooms in the SEC during the 2021 season. Senior Brian Robinson is reportedly back for a fifth season and will lead a hall with talented young players such as Trey Sanders, Jase McClellan, Roydell Williams, Keilan Robinson and Kyle Edwards.
*** This story will be updated.
Did you know BOL has a podcast? The Built By BamaOnLine podcast brings you the latest news from Alabama and information from Travis Reier, Charlie Potter, Hank South and Tim Watts. Watch the latest episode here or subscribe on iTunes today!
Contact Charlie Potter by personal message or on Twitter (@Charlie_Potter).
[ad_2]
Source link