Alabama football coach Nick Saban on Thursday announced the hirings of Karl Scott as secondary coach and Josh Gattis as receivers coach.
Scott replaces Derrick Ansley, who left this month after two seasons to become secondary coach of Jon Gruden's Oakland Raiders.
"We are excited to announce the addition of Karl Scott to our defensive staff," Saban said in a release. "He is a bright young football coach who boasts a lot of experience coaching the secondary. He does an excellent job in terms of teaching the players, and he is someone we believe will be a tremendous asset in recruiting."
Scott spent the past two seasons as the secondary coach at Texas Tech before being named defensive coordinator at Louisiana-Lafayette in late December. His Red Raiders secondary last season helped produce 29 turnovers, including 14 interceptions.
Photo by Mark Selders"I have an incredible amount of appreciation for the University of Alabama and the program Coach Saban has built in Tuscaloosa," Scott said. "I am very thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this coaching staff. As a defensive coach, it doesn't get any better than working for Coach Saban.
"I look forward to doing my part to help continue the success this program has enjoyed."
Alabama will have to rebuild its secondary in 2018 after losing Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ronnie Harrison, Anthony Averett, Tony Brown and Hootie Jones off its recent national championship team.
Gattis spent the past four seasons as the wide receivers coach and passing-game coordinator for James Franklin at Penn State. He also helped the Nittany Lions secure four consecutive top-25 recruiting classes, including top-15 classes in two of the last three seasons.
Gattis also spent two seasons under Franklin at Vanderbilt. He assumes the role occupied this past season by Mike Locksley, who has been promoted to Alabama's offensive coordinator.
"Coach Saban's program is the epitome of success and consistency, and to have the chance to be part of that and learn from him is truly a blessing," Gattis said.
The Crimson Tide must replace leading receiver Calvin Ridley but return a trio of players - Jerry Jeudy, DeVonta Smith and Henry Ruggs III - who showed plenty of potential as freshmen.
Multiple media outlets reported Thursday night that Saban has hired Dan Enos, the offensive coordinator at Arkansas the past three seasons, as his new quarterbacks coach.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.