2/19/2024 football Edit

Report: Chris Kapilovic to become Alabama's next OL coach

Michigan State's assistant head coach Chris Kapilovic on the sideline during the football game against Washington on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. Photo | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Tony Tsoukalas • TideIllustrated

Managing Editor

Alabama appears to have found a new leader for its offensive line. According to a report from ESPN, the Crimson Tide is set to bring in Chris Kapilovic as its next offensive line coach.

Kapilovic comes to Alabama after being named Baylor’s offensive line coach this past December. He spent the previous four years at Michigan State where he served as the Spartans offensive line coach and run-game coordinator.

Kapilovic replaces Scott Huff, who originally followed first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer from Washington before leaving to join the Seattle Seahawks earlier this month. Eric Wolford served as Alabama’s offensive line coach the past two seasons but was not retained as part of the Tide’s new coaching staff.

Along with his time at Michigan State, Kapilovic also has experience coaching offensive line at Colorado (2019), North Carolina (2012-18), Southern Miss (2008-11), Missouri State (2006-07), Alabama State (2001-05), Phoenix College (1998) and Deer Valley High School in Arizona (1992-97). He also has experience as an offensive coordinator at North Carolina (2016-18) and Alabama State (2003-05).

In 2016, Kapilovic’s North Carolina offense saw Mitch Tribisky set the school passing yards mark for the fifth season in a row. Trubisky became the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and started 50 games for the Chicago Bears from 2017-20. He is one of 10 North Carolina players to either be drafted or signed by an NFL team under Kapilovic.

While Michigan State’s offense struggled last year, Kapilovic played a major part in the Spartans 11-2 season in 2021 where he served as the running-game coordinator for a unit that produced Doak Walker Award winner and Walter Camp Player of the Year, Kenneth Walker III.

Kapilovic is also viewed as a solid recruiter, helping land several highly-regarded recruits during his stints at Michigan State and North Carolina.

The hiring of Kapilovic leaves one more spot open on DeBoer’s first coaching staff at Alabama. According to a report from Tide 100.9’s Ryan Fowler, that could be filled by Georgia Southern’s Bryan Ellis, who would come in to coach tight ends.