Report: Former Alabama OL Coach Doug Marrone Set to Join New Orleans Saints

After one season with the Crimson Tide, Marrone appears set to head back to the NFL.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama’s former offensive line coach appears to be moving back to the NFL. According to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the New Orleans Saints are hiring Doug Marrone for a “key role” on their offensive staff.

The #Saints are hiring an old friend, bringing back #Bama OL coach and former #Jaguars coach Doug Marrone for a key role on their offensive staff, source said.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 9, 2022

Marrone joined Alabama as its offensive line coach last season after serving as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2017-20. He also has NFL head-coaching experience with the Buffalo Bills from 2013-14. This will be Marrone’s second stint with the Saints after serving as their offensive coordinator and offensive line coach from 2006-08.

Last season, Marrone was tasked with replacing three starters from Alabama's 2020 Joe Moore Award-winning unit that included Outland Trophy winner Alex Leatherwood and Rimington Trophy winner Landon Dickerson. Last year's offensive line struggled to find consistency, surrendering 41 sacks, tied for ninth-most among Division I teams.  

Marrone will be replaced by Eric Wolford at Alabama, who comes to the Crimson Tide after spending the past season as Kentucky’s offensive line coach. Nick Saban announced the move along with the hirings of new cornerbacks Coach Travaris Robinson and new special teams coordinator/outside linebackers coach Coleman Hutzler last week.

“All these guys have really good pedigree, really good background, really good experience,” Saban said of the hires during his National Signing Day press conference. “All these guys have been in the SEC at some point in time and know this league and I think will make a really positive relationship, positive effect by the relationships that they can build and develop, you know, with our players on our team.

“So we're excited about having these new this new energy this new enthusiasm to go along with the quality coaches that we have here in the program who did an outstanding job a year ago.”

During his lone season at Kentucky, Wolford reshaped a unit that had lost three starters from the year before, turning it into a finalist for the Joe Moore Award. The Wildcats averaged 5.23 yards per carry and gained 4 or more yards on 53.1% of their rush attempts, the highest percentage in the nation. Wolford joins the Crimson Tide with 26 years of coaching experience, including two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers in 2015 and 2016. Prior to Kentucky, he spent four seasons on Will Muschamp's staff at South Carolina.

“It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to join Coach Saban’s staff at the University of Alabama,” Wolford said in a release. “There is a long history of outstanding offensive line play at Alabama, and I look forward to contributing to that success moving forward.” 

A look at Marrone's time at Alabama

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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