Story by
The Tuscaloosa News
Alabama football DC Kane Wommack readying for old friend in FSU OC Gus Malzahn
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- Alabama football DC Kane Wommack readying for old friend in FSU OC Gus Malzahn
It's been eight years since Florida State has appeared on an Alabama football schedule, and the Seminoles team that will play host to Alabama on Aug. 30 will start a quarterback in Thomas Castellanos who played elsewhere ( Boston College ) last year.
But for whatever unfamiliarity Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack has to sort through in preparing the Crimson Tide defense for FSU, he at least is plenty familiar with its new offensive coordinator, Gus Malzahn.
Advertisement
"I've known Gus since I was in the eighth grade. I played for him," Wommack said.
GOODBREAD: New movie on Nick Saban, Bear Bryant depicts why the icons are incomparable
PRACTICE REPORT: Alabama football freshman sidelined at third fall practice, and other takeaways
That would be at Arkansas , where Wommack was a fullback in a 2006 Razorbacks offense run by Malzahn. It was a brief intersection in their careers, but Wommack nevertheless has kept up with Malzahn, and knows his system well.
"My dad and Gus had been really close for years, and so I kind of knew him through that connection," Wommack said.
Advertisement
Malzahn resigned from the head job at UCF and took on the offensive coordinator role at FSU under Mike Norvell. So when the Crimson Tide travels to Tallahasssee in four weeks, Wommack will be matching wits with his former coach for the first time on opposite sidelines.
"If you look at his career, I think that's a point that you can continue to kind of acknowledge, right? The discipline that his guys play with and the physicality they play with, and then you know, simply the tempo that they play with," Wommack said. "They've always done a great job of that."
Wommack noted that with Malzahn, especially, a defensive coordinator must be prepared to make quick adjustments mid-game. With an abundance of returning experience, Alabama is expected to field one of the top defenses in the SEC. Florida State , following a 2-10 season, will look to Castellanos to lead a new offensive system under Malzahn.
Reach Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X @chasegoodbread.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football DC Kane Wommack to face old friend in Gus Malzahn
