Alabama football will experience at least one coaching change for the 2025 season, as sources have confirmed that Colin Hitschler, co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach, will not return for a second year with the program. Hitschler, who spent the 2024 season working under head coach Kalen DeBoer, will depart after just one year on the staff, according to reports from AL.com, with ESPN being the first outlet to break the news.
During his time in Tuscaloosa, Hitschler primarily worked with the safeties, contributing to Alabama’s defensive efforts. Prior to joining Alabama, he had a notable stint at Wisconsin, where he served as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach for two seasons. Hitschler’s coaching journey also included stops at Cincinnati from 2018 to 2021, where he further honed his expertise in defensive roles. Additionally, he spent four years at South Alabama from 2014 to 2017, a period that overlapped with current Indiana head coach Kane Wommack, when he was the defensive coordinator in Mobile. Hitschler also worked with safeties during his final year at South Alabama.
A native of Philadelphia, Hitschler initially pursued a career in wrestling at the University of Pennsylvania before transitioning to football. His coaching career also includes a role as a graduate assistant at Arkansas State, further expanding his experience in the defensive side of the game.
Hitschler’s departure comes after a challenging season for Alabama, which marked its first non-10-win campaign since 2007—the year Nick Saban began his tenure with the Crimson Tide. Alabama finished 2024 with a 9-4 record, including a disappointing loss to Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl. This coaching change is likely to raise questions about the direction of Alabama’s defense moving forward as the team prepares for the 2025 season.