A familiar name is resurfacing in the Iron Bowl rivalry. Former Alabama offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic has officially been hired by Auburn as an offensive analyst, sources confirmed. The move immediately draws attention due to Kapilovic’s recent ties to Alabama and the sensitive nature of staff crossover between the two in-state rivals.
Kapilovic previously served on the staff at Alabama Crimson Tide, where he worked closely with the offensive line room during a period of transition following the Nick Saban era. While his tenure in Tuscaloosa was relatively brief, he was regarded as a technician with a strong developmental background and extensive experience across multiple Power Five programs.
Now, Kapilovic heads across the state to join the staff at Auburn Tigers in an off-field analyst role. Analysts are not permitted to coach on the field, but they play a critical role in game planning, film breakdown, opponent tendencies, and internal self-scouting—making the position strategically valuable despite its behind-the-scenes nature.
The hire has already sparked conversation among fans on both sides of the rivalry. From Auburn’s perspective, adding a coach with recent inside knowledge of Alabama’s personnel, schemes, and developmental philosophies is viewed as a calculated and potentially savvy move. From Alabama’s side, reactions range from indifference to frustration, though such staff movement has become increasingly common in modern college football.
For Auburn’s offensive staff, Kapilovic brings years of offensive line experience at the collegiate and NFL levels, including stops at North Carolina, Colorado, Michigan State, and the Jacksonville Jaguars. His presence is expected to bolster Auburn’s weekly preparation and long-term offensive evaluations, particularly in the trenches where SEC games are often decided.
While Kapilovic will not be on the sideline on Saturdays, his hiring underscores the escalating “off-field arms race” in the SEC, where analysts and support staff can quietly influence outcomes. As Alabama and Auburn continue to reshape their programs in a new era, even behind-the-scenes additions like this one are closely watched—and rarely go unnoticed.
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