A familiar face has officially joined the Alabama football staff.
Coach Nick Saban hired Derrick Ansley, a former Alabama defensive graduate assistant, as the new Crimson Tide defensive backs coach on Wednesday.
“We are very happy to have Derrick [Ansley] and his family back at Alabama,” Saban said. “Derrick did an outstanding job when he was with us as a graduate assistant, and he has a very good understanding of how we run our program and what is expected. He is a bright young coach, and he will be a great addition working with the defensive backs. We also believe he will be a tremendous asset to our staff in the recruiting process.”
Along with Ansley, his wife Alaea and daughter Selena will join the Alabama family.
Ansley was with Alabama for the 2010 and 2011 seasons, during which the Crimson Tide finished with a 22-4 record and claimed the 2011 BCS National Championship title.
During his final season with the team, Alabama was ranked No. 1 nationally in scoring defense, total defense, pass defense and pass efficiency defense.
Ansley worked alongside Alabama All-Americans Mark Barron, Dre Kirkpatrick and DeQuan Menzie.
“I have incredible admiration for The University of Alabama and the organization coach Saban has built, especially after spending a couple of seasons here as a graduate assistant, which was instrumental in my development as a coach,” Ansley said.
While he was a graduate assistant, Ansley also obtained his master’s degree in sports management. He had his bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Troy University, where he also played football as a defensive back and graduated from in 2005.
Ansley already had experience under his belt when he joined the Crimson Tide. He coached at NCAA Division III Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama where the Hawks had its first winning season and appeared in the playoffs for the first time.
Then, Ansley’s resume only grew after leaving Alabama.
He coached the cornerbacks at the University of Kentucky the past two seasons, and the season before, he was the secondary coach for the Wildcats. For the 2015 season, Ansley helped Kentucky get six defensive touchdowns, setting a school record, and 23 turnovers, ranking the Wildcarts second in the SEC.
Ansley was promoted to co-defensive coordinator, but instead of doing that for the 2016 season, he accepted the position with Alabama.
“I am so appreciative of the opportunity coach Saban is giving me because as a defensive coach, it doesn’t get any better,” Ansley said. “Having grown up in the state of Alabama, I also have a tremendous understanding of the tradition and history of Crimson Tide football and what a special place it is to work. I look forward to doing my part to help continue the success this program has enjoyed.”
