Former Michigan linebackers coach George Helow is being hired by Alabama, a source briefed on the move told The Athletic on Thursday.
Helow, 36, is expected to begin work immediately as the Crimson Tide prepare to face his former team, Michigan, in the Rose Bowl in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Helow spent the 2021-22 season with the Wolverines' team. He helped develop Junior Colson into a Freshman All-America in 2021 and was a top-15 defensive back. He ultimately left the program after last season when Jim Harbaugh brought Chris Partridge back to Michigan's staff as linebackers coach. Partridge has since been dismissed from the program amid an NCAA investigation into alleged improper signal stealing on the team.
Helow began his coaching career during the 2012 season at Alabama as a defensive intern on Nick Saban's staff.
What does Alabama get with this attitude?
Although Helow wasn't part of the Michigan team this year, he served under current defensive coordinator Jesse Minter in 2022 – his knowledge of the Wolverines' system will be valuable as Alabama faces its toughest defensive challenge yet. This season, Michigan ranks first nationally in scoring defense (9.46 points per game) and second in total defense (239.2 yards per game). Two of Helow's former linebackers, Colson and Michael Barrett, were named All-Big Ten this season.
Alabama isn't scheduled to begin practice until the middle of the month. The team will participate in weightlifting, running and player-led 7-on-7 matches between now and then, giving Helow time to settle in and meet with the coaches before full training begins later in December.
Helow's hiring has the potential to blossom into a full-time position on Alabama's staff after this season. Current outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator Coleman Hutzler has accepted the defensive coordinator position at Mississippi State, leaving a personnel void. Helow served as linebackers coach and special teams coordinator at Maryland in 2020 and also has more than a decade of defensive experience with stops at Alabama, Georgia, Colorado State and most recently Michigan. If all goes well and Helow is ultimately promoted, a young, highly respected coach will join Saban's staff and Helow will take a prominent position on one of college football's best teams. – beat reporter Kennington Smith III, Alabama
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