Alabama makes hires of Daboll, Pannunzio official
The University of Alabama officially announced two assistant coach hires on Monday. Brian Daboll was named offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, while Joe Pannunzio was named tight ends coach and special teams coordinator in a press release from the school.
The Tuscaloosa News previously reported both hires last week before their formal announcements.
Daboll arrives at UA after coaching in the NFL for the last 17 years. He arrives after serving as tight ends coach for the New England Patriots. He had three stops as an NFL offensive coordinator from 2009-12, working with the Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs. Before moving to the NFL in 2000, Daboll spent two years as a graduate assistant at Michigan State.
"We are certainly happy to add a coach the caliber of Brian Daboll to our staff," Alabama head coach Nick Saban said in a press release. "I have known Brian since he worked for us as a GA at Michigan State and he has a fantastic reputation in the coaching profession. He brings a tremendous work ethic to the job and has a wealth of football knowledge. Brian is a great teacher of the game, and someone who can relate well to our players. We are excited to welcome Brian, his wife Beth and their family to Tuscaloosa."
Before becoming an offensive coordinator elsewhere, Daboll spent 2007 and 2008 as quarterbacks coach for the New York Jets. He jumped from Michigan State to the NFL, where he worked as an assistant for the Patriots from 2000-06.
"I am honored to have the chance to return to the college game and work for Coach Saban at Alabama," Daboll said in the release. "He basically gave me my start in coaching as a graduate assistant at Michigan State in the late 1990s and has always been a very important influence on my coaching career. It is a tremendous opportunity to work at an institution such as Alabama with its rich tradition and history of sustained success, and I'm very excited to get started."
Pannunzio worked as director of football operations at Alabama under Saban from 2011-14. He spent the last two seasons as director of personnel operations.
"I am very pleased that we were able to bring Joe back to our staff," Saban said in the release. "He does an excellent job coaching special teams and tight ends, a role I know he truly enjoys. He is a great fit in our organization and I think our players will respond well to his positive attitude and energy. We are excited to welcome Joe and his wife Rita back to The University of Alabama."
He was also tight ends coach and special teams coordinator at the University of Miami from 2006-10. He was head coach at Murray State from 2000-05.
"I am excited to have the chance to return to The University of Alabama and once again work for Coach Saban," Pannunzio said. "I have always loved working with the special teams and tight ends and the chance to do it for the best coach and the best program in college football is a very special opportunity. My family and I love Tuscaloosa, and I can't wait to get back out on the field coaching."