As No. 10 Alabama prepares to face 5-6 Auburn on Saturday a matchup with major postseason implications the Crimson Tide are dealing with significant coaching turnover. Auburn needs a win to qualify for a bowl game, while Alabama must win to reach the SEC title game and stay in the College Football Playoff race.
In the days leading up to the rivalry game, multiple Alabama assistants have been linked to jobs elsewhere. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb has been connected to the coaching vacancy at Cal, while Kane Wommack was rumored for Arkansas before the Razorbacks reportedly hired Alex Golesh instead.
On Friday, another departure became official. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Alabama co-offensive coordinator and assistant head coach JaMarcus Shephard has agreed to become Oregon State’s next head coach on a five-year deal. Shephard, who also coaches wide receivers, previously worked in the Pac-12 at Washington State and on Kalen DeBoer’s Washington staff that reached the 2023 national championship game.
Shephard takes over an Oregon State program sitting at 2-9 and nearing the end of a difficult season after firing Trent Bray in October following an 0-7 start. Shephard joined Alabama in 2024 and has held several key offensive roles. Before that, he coached wide receivers and served as co-offensive coordinator at Purdue.
His new job comes as Alabama pushes toward a potential CFP berth, leaving him to juggle responsibilities between the Crimson Tide and Oregon State.
Be the first to comment