On January 10, 2024, before announcing his retirement, Nick Saban knew for sure one thing would happen. Coaches and analysts would leave, players would feel lost, and recruiting would take a downturn. Some of the old staff, though, stayed to make it easier for Kalen DeBoer’s first year, including Carrigan Johnson, until she made her decision to move on.

On February 16, 2026, Carrigan Johnson announced she was leaving Alabama after seven years with the football program. She was the Director of Football Recruiting Operations, a behind-the-scenes force on the trail, and, in a heartfelt post, shared a slow-motion goodbye video of her walking through the stadium in all white, turning to wave one last time. 

“After seven years, I leave Tuscaloosa with nothing but gratitude. Roll Tide forever,” she wrote. 

Carrigan Johnson’s colleagues often describe her as a “pillar” of the recruiting staff. An LSU alumna, Johnson quickly climbed the ranks at Alabama, starting as a Recruiting Operations Coordinator in 2019 before her knack for connecting with families earned her a promotion to Associate Director in 2022.

Finally, in 2023, Carrigan Johnson received the Director of Football Recruiting Operations title, where she oversaw daily logistics and served as a key bridge between the Nick Saban blueprint and Kalen DeBoer’s evolving system. Results showed up in Alabama’s 2025 recruiting class. Kalen DeBoer’s first roster building was ranked No. 1 by On3 and No. 2 overall by 247Sports. That success is a direct testament to a savvy off-field staff skilled in closing prospects, organizing impactful visits, and building trust with families.

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Alabama GM Courtney Morgan has been clear about that intentionality. 

“If you look at the staff we assembled on the recruiting side, it was really intentional,” he said. He specifically named Bob Welton, Carrigan Johnson, Ashleigh Kimble, and Eron Hodges as foundational pieces. “There is a good blend of the old guard and the new regime… In the end, we all want the same common goal – we want Alabama to win, and we want to get the best players and keep this thing rolling.”

Carrigan Johnson helped explain how Nick Saban did it, but she was also open to new ideas under Kalen DeBoer. That flexibility is why Alabama didn’t face a fallout during the transition year. She was even recognized nationally last August in 247Sports’ 30Under30 list, the ninth iteration highlighting rising stars in college football. Her response said everything about her perspective.

“Grateful and proud to stand among this remarkable group,” she acknowledged on X. “This recognition is not just about today, but about the young women coming next.” 

Johnson’s departure raises questions about the future of Alabama’s recruiting, but Kalen DeBoer’s early efforts suggest the program is adapting quickly.

Kalen DeBoer’s Southern roots are growing

When Kalen DeBoer replaced Nick Saban, the loudest skepticism centered on his geography, as he had a West Coast background with no deep southern ties. Could he really recruit in the SEC? Turns out, yes. On the first day of the early signing period, he pointed out that 14 of Alabama’s 20 signees in the 2026 class came from the Southeast footprint. 

“That’s great to see,” he said. “You can see the roots, and you can see the relationships really taking on the next level.”

Alabama currently holds a top-5 national ranking, No. 2 per 247Sports. And if you zoom out to roster management, WR was a spot the Tide couldn’t risk leaving to chance. After the inconsistency they showed last season, HC Kalen DeBoer decided to make a late adjustment. 

On February 14, JUCO standout Tyler Henderson committed to Alabama. He flipped from a December signing with Kennesaw State and is arriving at Alabama after a dominant season at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, where he led all JUCO players with 1,299 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns on 67 receptions.

While Carrigan Johnson’s departure marks the end of an era, DeBoer’s early success proves the recruiting machine is still running, though replacing a foundational ‘pillar’ remains his next significant challenge. How Alabama fills the void left by a key architect of its recruiting success will be a critical storyline in the early DeBoer era.