TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - JANUARY 16: Alabama Crimson Tide head football coach Karen Deboer addresses the crowd during a time out against the Missouri Tigers at Coleman Coliseum on January 16, 2024 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Photo by Brandon Sumrall/Getty Images

Alabama Hires Key TCU Member to Coaching Staff

The Alabama Crimson Tide have seen significant changes this offseason including Nick Saban retiring, players transferring, a new coaching staff, and now, a new Associate Director of Player Personnel.

According to Matt Zenitz of 247Sports, Alabama has hired Eron Hodges for the role.

Hodges comes from TCU, where he was a defensive analyst and recruiting coordinator.

In addition to TCU, Hodges has worked for other prominent college programs, including Ohio State, Purdue, Louisville, and Texas Tech.

As a defensive analyst for TCU, Hodges focused primarily on the defensive backs. The program has generated some talent there over the past few years, including Josh Newton, Tre Tomlinson, Trevon Moehrig, and more.

The Crimson Tide recently lost a superstar Caleb Downs, a defensive back, to the transfer portal, so Hodges expertise will serve the program well in replacing him.

Fans on X offered up their opinions on the hire.

"With saban gone it feels like Bama news means nothing. Like they just another team now for Georgia to stomp on," one user wrote.

"Securing Purdue & TCUs "best classes ever" are not elite points on a resume. Hope he can recruit on the SEC level, some of these underwhelming hires are concerning me," another user said.

"To Alabama fans, he is already the best of all time at his duty, like the rest of their staff they assembled. Sure it will work out as such," another X account said.

"Really solid hire. One of the best off field recruiters in the entire country, also has deep Texas ties," one user wrote, mentioning Hodges' Texas roots.

"One of the top off-field recruiters in the country, started his career under Urban Meyer and Mark Pantoni at #OhioState, helped #Purdue recruit its best class in 247Sports history and was part of the highest-rated class in #TCU history per 247Sports as well," said Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports.

The Crimson Tide's 2024 season kicks off on August 31 against Western Kentucky.

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