Alabama formally announced Karl Scott as its new defensive backs coach in a news release on Thursday.
Scott comes to Alabama after spending the last two seasons as Texas Tech’s secondary coach. He was briefly named defensive coordinator at Louisiana-Lafayette as part of Billy Napier’s new staff in December, but didn’t coach there.
“We are excited to announce the addition of Karl Scott to our defensive staff,” coach Nick Saban said in the 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. We welcome his wife Taron and their daughter Kina Bailey to Tuscaloosa.”
Prior to coaching at Texas Tech, Scott spent the 2015 season at Louisiana Tech coaching safeties. He was an assistant coach at FCS Southeastern Louisiana from 2012-14. He coached the linebackers in 2012-13 and was defensive coordinator in 2014. His first full-time coaching job was at Tusculum College in 2008-11. Scott was a graduate assistant at Delta State in 2007 after a collegiate career at McMurry University.
“I have an incredible amount of appreciation for The University of Alabama and the program Coach Saban has built in Tuscaloosa,” Scott said in the release. “I am very thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this coaching staff because 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.”
Texas Tech’s pass defense allowed 7.2 yards per attempt last season, best in the Big 12 but 60th nationally. The Red Raiders had 14 interceptions but allowed 33 touchdown passes, most in the conference. The defense surrendered 282.2 passing yards per game this season. Texas Tech had two defensive backs named second-team All-Big 12 this season.
Scott will replace Derrick Ansley, who moved on to the Oakland Raiders after coaching Alabama’s defensive backs the last two seasons.
Alabama also confirmed the hiring of wide receivers coach Josh Gattis on Thursday in a news release.
“Josh Gattis is an outstanding addition to our coaching staff,” Saban said in a news release. “He is a sharp, young coach who did a great job at Penn State and Vanderbilt before that, and we believe he will bring great energy to our program. He is an excellent recruiter and knows what he is doing in terms of coaching wide receivers and building relationships with the players. We are happy to welcome his wife Tesa and their son Jace to the Crimson Tide program.”
Gattis has spent the last four years as wide receivers coach at Penn State. He has spent the last six years with head coach James Franklin, including two seasons at Vanderbilt.
“It is a tremendous opportunity to work for Coach Saban and The University of Alabama,” Gattis said in the release. “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. I am also excited for the chance to work with an outstanding group of players, and I look forward to getting out on that field and coaching.”
