SOURCES: On eve of NSD, Tosh Lupoi to be named Alabama defensive coordinator

Sources are unanimously reporting that the Tide’s energetic Tosh Lupoi is expected to be named defensive coordinator. With the exit of DC/ILB coach Jeremy Pruitt and DB coach Derek Ansley, the lack of a defensive coordinator and defined roles has almost-certainly affected some elite defensive holdouts in the NSD ‘18 class.

One constant has been Tosh Lupoi.

Poached out of Washington, Lupoi has been one of the constants the past few years on an ever-evolving Tide defensive coaching staff. He is widely considered one of the up-and-comers in the profession, is an elite recruiter, and like Smart and Pruitt before him, he is a popular choice with players.

It is almost certain that Lupoi, just 35 years old, will get help fully learning the integrated defensive playcalling from not only Nick Saban but from Pete Golding, the latter has experience as a DC, whereas this will be Coach Lupoi’s first rodeo. That said, Lupoi does have significant experience with the 3-4, coaching NFL draft picks at Cal, Washington, and Alabama along the defensive line and in the linebacking corps.

Many of us had speculated that this would be the eventual move by Saban, and was in fact was the personnel move we wanted him to make. Lupoi not only is due for a promotion and raise, one that he would have almost-certainly taken elsewhere, but his presence has also been critical in opening some doors to the Tide’s west coast recruiting efforts. Losing three-of-four defensive coaches in one season would have been...suboptimal.

Given that this seemed a foregone conclusion, the question is whether this move was made on the eve of National Signing Day to influence a wavering defensive commit, like Quay Walker, or impress the trio of five-star corners in play tomorrow?

Time will tell.

Roll Tide to Coach Lupoi on a much-deserved promotion for one of the sports young luminaries.