In the wake of Alabama’s humiliating 35-point Rose Bowl faceplant against Indiana, Kalen DeBoer hinted change was coming. Three weeks into the new year, the Crimson Tide made the first move. The offensive line coach, Chris Kapilovic, won’t be back for the next season after the unit hit a record low.

“Alabama offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic is out, per sources,” reported Bama247 senior writer Alex Scarborough.

After stints at North Carolina, Colorado, and Michigan State, Kapilovic became part of DeBoer’s first Crimson Tide staff. He spent the opening two seasons of DeBoer’s era in Tuscaloosa.

He took over a line that gave up 49 sacks in 2023 and helped slash that number to 24 in 2024. This was all thanks to standout play from All-American guard Tyler Booker, All-American center Parker Brailsford, and SEC all-conference tackle Kadyn Proctor.

But DeBoer’s offense sputtered throughout 2025, with the run game stuck in neutral. The Tide managed just 104.1 rushing yards per game, 15th in the SEC and a razor-thin 0.1 yards ahead of LSU. They averaged only 3.4 yards per carry and averaged just 104.13 rushing yards per game.

Protection didn’t fare any better, as the offensive line surrendered 33 sacks on the year, including four-sack outings in four different games. Moreover, just 12 sacks were allowed in the first half of the season before ballooning to 17 in the second half.

DeBoer’s line under Kapilovic rotated heavily early on, and even once a regular five was set, it failed to become one of the SEC’s elite units. In the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, the problems were on full display. Ty Simpson faced constant pressure before exiting with an injury in the first half, while the running game continued to struggle.

As Alabama closes the door on Kapilovic, he is the first off-season coach departure who does not have an offer ready for him. Wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard accepted the head coaching position at Oregon State, while Nick Sheridan left for Michigan State to take on the role of offensive coordinator.

Like Alabama, UCLA did not retain offensive assistant Jerry Neuheisel under the new head coach, Bob Chesney. But it looks like DeBoer might have someone in mind for Kapilovic’s replacement.

Chances run high for Kalen DeBoer to reopen his old Washington connection

According to Chris Low, Alabama is lining up Scott Huff as its next offensive line coach. DeBoer is once again dipping into his Washington well, having already brought over trusted lieutenants like offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and wide receiver coach JaMarcus Shephard when he built his first Tide staff in 2024. 

Huff, too, tagged along. But that plan changed swiftly in February 2024, when Huff sealed a deal to join the Seattle Seahawks’ staff. It was a move that lined up with Grubb’s jump to Seattle as offensive coordinator. 

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While Grubb circled back to DeBoer and the college ranks after a one-year NFL stint, Huff stayed in the pros. He landed the tight ends coaching job with the Los Angeles Rams for the 2025 season.

DeBoer went shopping to restock the trenches, bringing in former Mississippi State tackle Jayvin James, ex-Ole Miss lineman Ethan Fields, and former Texas lineman Nick Brooks, among others.

The rebuild didn’t stop there, as the Tide also locked in five commitments in the 2026 class, headlined by Mississippi four-star Bryson Cooley and Georgia four-star Chris Booker. After the portal haul and recruiting wins, Kalen DeBoer’s biggest task is choosing who coaches the new offensive line.