In the wake of Alabama football parting ways with offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic after two seasons, the Crimson Tide’s O-line room has been a major topic of discussion among fans and pundits alike. The unit struggled mightily in 2025 — surrendering one of the highest sack totals in the SEC and failing to establish consistently dominant run blocking — leaving DeBoer with a critical decision to make on the coaching front heading into the 2026 season.
Amid that coaching shakeup, some college football insiders and fan outlets have floated the idea of longtime SEC figure Sam Pittman — most recently the head coach at Arkansas — as a potential candidate to influence or even revamp Alabama’s offensive line approach. Pittman’s reputation as an offensive line guru predates his head-coaching tenure, and his units at Arkansas were highly rated in run-blocking efficiency even during tough seasons.
Although there’s no official link yet between Pittman and the Crimson Tide coaching staff, his name has surfaced on fan ballots and in rumor mills as a possible consultant or coach Alabama could pursue for its embattled O-line room. One fansite even listed Pittman among desirable options if Alabama were to shake up that staff area.
Pittman’s resume — rooted in decades of offensive line coaching before becoming a head coach — is hard to ignore. Despite Arkansas’ struggles that ultimately led to his dismissal midseason, the Razorbacks’ offensive line was statistically one of the nation’s top units in certain advanced metrics, showcasing Pittman’s ability to build physical, technically sound linemen.
For DeBoer, whose Alabama tenure is still in its early stages, bringing in a seasoned line coach or consultant like Pittman could signal a willingness to address weaknesses directly rather than hope internal development closes the gap. With high expectations in Tuscaloosa and pressure mounting to reclaim dominance in the SEC trenches, an experienced O-line voice might be just what Alabama needs to stabilize its front five.
Whether this buzz ever materializes into an actual hire or more substantive interest remains to be seen. For now, Sam Pittman’s name keeps circulating among fans and coaching hot boards as one of the more intriguing fits should DeBoer decide to think outside the box in fixing one of his team’s most glaring issues.
If you want, I can tailor this piece with more insider quotes or fan reactions too.
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