Alabama Crimson Tide Hire Former Michigan Wolverines Coach Weeks Before College Football Playoff Matchup – Gridiron Heroics
The Alabama Crimson Tide are preparing for their matchup against the Michigan Wolverines in the College Football Playoff.
Head coach Nick Saban seems to be trying to find any advantage he can in order to beat Jim Harbaugh’s team. Alabama hired former Michigan linebackers coach George Helow on Thursday.
Alabama Crimson Tide Hire George Helow, Former Michigan Wolverines Coach
Helow was the linebackers coach in 2021 and 2022. While he did not spend any time with the team this year after both sides mutually agreed to part ways in February, he helped coach the team to the playoffs the last two years. Saban is engaging in some classic gamesmanship here.
While Helow could provide some valuable insight, more of the move is that Michigan has to consider this in its preparation. Will they feel the need to change a couple of things on defense to try and counter what Helow knows?
Michigan linebacker coach George Helow reacts to a play against Rutgers during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.
Classic Saban
This is classic Nick Saban. He is a master at these kinds of chess moves against opposing coaches. However, Harbaugh is a tough one to crack. I doubt that he is intimidated by this and the team has likely changed some things for 2023 simply because someone else was coaching them. Each coach brings their own flavor so it won’t be completely the same from past years. It is unclear what role Helow will play or whether this is simply a gamesmanship move.
Dec 2, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban looks on before the SEC Championship game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY SportsThis kind of move is what makes college football so fun. The matchup was already exciting but this move ups the ante even more.
