Alabama Football Adds an Experienced Mel Tucker to the Staff

The University of Alabama football program announced Thursday that former Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Mel Tucker will join the staff as defensive backs coach and assistant head coach.

The Cleveland native brings 10 years of NFL and eight years of college coaching experience to Tuscaloosa. From 2009-2014, Tucker held the position of defensive coordinator for both the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears.

“I’ve known Mel for almost 20 years going back to Michigan State when I hired him as a graduate assistant,” Saban said in a school release. “He is an outstanding coach all the way around and really does an excellent job in terms of teaching the players. When you look at his college and NFL experience, his resume is very impressive, and he’ll be a positive addition to our defensive staff. Mel’s experience with the secondary will allow us to move Kirby back to coaching the inside linebackers, which has been most effective for our defensive coordinator. We’re pleased and happy to welcome Mel and his family to Tuscaloosa.”

Tucker started as a graduate assistant in 1997 under Saban at Michigan State. He quickly rose through the ranks, coaching for Miami (OH), LSU, and eventually Ohio State. While on the staff in Columbus, the Buckeyes went undefeated and won the BCS Championship in 2002.

This is what the new assistant head coach said on Twitter Tuesday: