Stoutland leaves Tide to help NFL's Eagles

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Alabama football coach Nick Saban is in need of one assistant after offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland took the same position Friday with the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles.

Stoutland coached the Crimson Tide's line the past two seasons after a four-year stint at the University of Miami. His line this past season included two first-team All-Americans, center Barrett Jones and left guard Chance Warmack, and second-team All-American D.J. Fluker at right tackle.

Left tackle Cyrus Kouandjio is expected to be a first-round pick in the 2014 draft should he elect to forgo his final year of eligibility.

"Coach Stoutland did an excellent job with our offensive line, along with each and every responsibility he had while he was here at the University of Alabama," Saban said. "We appreciate all that he did in terms of his time and his dedication in contributing to the success we've had over the last two years. He's an outstanding coach and he will do a great job with the Eagles.

"We wish him and his family the best."

Stoutland is the second assistant to leave the back-to-back national champions. Secondary coach Jeremy Pruitt departed immediately after the 42-14 rout of Notre Dame in last month's BCS championship game to become Florida State's defensive coordinator.

Two days after the BCS title tilt, Saban announced the hiring of former Colorado defensive coordinator Greg Brown as the new secondary coach.

Caravan coming close

Alabama on Friday announced the eight destinations for its "Crimson Caravan," and it includes a May 9 stop at the Wills Valley Recreational Center in Fort Payne.

The BCS crystal ball will accompany the caravan on each of its visits. Tickets for the event in Fort Payne are $50, and they can be obtained through the Alabama ticket office via rolltide.com or 205-348-2262.

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