MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama head football coach Kane Wommack resigned Tuesday morning to become defensive coordinator at the University of Alabama, and the Jaguars have opened a national search for his successor.
The university and athletics director Joel Erdmann confirmed the move Tuesday after reports of Wommack’s departure surfaced Monday.
A Record-Setting Tenure
Wommack went 22-16 in three seasons leading the Jaguars, a stretch that produced several milestones for the program.
- South Alabama’s first winning season at the Football Bowl Subdivision level
- The program’s first back-to-back winning seasons
- The first 10-win season in school history, in 2022
- The program’s first bowl victory, a 59-10 win over Eastern Michigan in the 68 Ventures Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium
The bowl victory came just weeks before his resignation.
“I deeply appreciate Kane’s service to our program, university and city,” Erdmann said. “His efforts propelled us forward and we wish him and Melissa the very best.”
National Search Underway
The university said in its announcement that a national search for the next head coach will begin immediately.
The timing adds urgency to the process. Following the coaching change, South Alabama players have a 30-day window in which they may enter the NCAA transfer portal.
Ripple Effect From Tuscaloosa
Wommack’s move is part of a rapid series of changes at Alabama. Nick Saban announced his retirement as the Crimson Tide’s head coach on Wednesday, and Alabama hired Kalen DeBoer as his replacement on Friday. DeBoer has since been assembling his staff, which now includes Wommack as defensive coordinator.
Wommack had returned to South Alabama in December 2020 after serving as defensive coordinator at Indiana. He previously was the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator in 2016 and 2017.
