Freddie Roach - Football Coach

Freddie Roach

Title:
Defensive Line
Phone:
205-348-3600

Freddie Roach was named the defensive line coach at his alma mater by Alabama head coach Nick Saban in February of 2020. He returns to Tuscaloosa after spending the last three seasons at Ole Miss where he tutored a defensive line unit that anchored the Rebels’ defense.

In Tuscaloosa, Roach inherits a young but talented defensive front that must replace Raekwon Davis who headed to the NFL. He returns the services of end LaBryan Ray, who missed most of the 2019 season with an injured foot, along with sophomore nose tackle D.J. Dale, who earned Freshman All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of American (FWAA) and Pro Football Focus. Christian Barmore came on late last season and provided a spark for the Crimson Tide as an inside pass rusher, while Phidarian Mathis and then-freshmen Byron Young and Justin Eboigbe earned significant playing time that should aid in their development under Roach’s guidance.

The 2019 Ole Miss defensive line was led by nose tackle Benito Jones and defensive end Josiah Coatney. Jones recorded 10 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks while Coatney added 46 total tackles, four quarterback hurries, 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks.

In 2018, Coatney (63) and Qaadir Sheppard (48) combined for 111 tackles and three forced fumbles. Sheppard produced a season-high 10 tackles for loss, while Markel Winters (4.0) and Jones (3.0) solidified the defensive front. During his first season in Oxford, Roach developed a pair of NFL Draft picks in Breeland Speaks (2nd round) and Marquis Haynes (4th round). The two combined for 14.5 sacks while earning second team All-SEC accolades. Haynes finished as Ole Miss’ career leader in sacks (32.0) and tackles for loss (47.5).

Roach was previously at Alabama from 2015-17 as the Tide’s director of player development where his primary focus was the off-the-field activities of Crimson Tide’s football student-athletes, serving as a resource in balancing the demands of academics, athletics and community outreach. He also served as a liaison for high school coaches, while assisting with Alabama camps and clinics. During his time in that role, Alabama won back-to-back SEC titles and played for national titles in both years, winning the crown after the 2015 and 2017 seasons.

Before his return to Tuscaloosa, Roach spent the 2013 and 2014 seasons as the defensive ends and outside linebackers coach at South Alabama under head coach Joey Jones. Roach helped the Jaguars end the 2013 season ranked third nationally in sacks per game and 21st in tackles for loss per contest while finishing second in the Sun Belt in pass, total and scoring defense. The 2014 defense was second in the Sun Belt in total defense.

In 2012, Roach coached Murray State’s defensive line while also assisting with the strength and conditioning program. The previous fall, he coached the defensive line and was the director of strength and conditioning at East Mississippi Community College, helping lead the Lions to the NJCAA National Championship.

Roach’s first stint on the Alabama coaching staff came from 2008-10 as an assistant strength and conditioning coach, during which time the Crimson Tide won both the BCS national championship and Southeastern Conference title in 2009.

As a player, Roach was a four-year letterman at linebacker for the Crimson Tide from 2002-05. During his time at the Capstone, he was named the National Freshman of the Year in addition to earning freshman All-America accolades and was twice tabbed as a second team All-SEC honoree. He was also named to Alabama’s All-Decade Team for the 2000s. Following his time in Tuscaloosa, Roach signed as a free agent with the New England Patriots in 2006.

A native of Killen, Ala., he made 194 tackles with 23 tackles for loss and six forced fumbles as a senior at Brook High School. Roach earned his bachelor’s degree in human environmental sciences from The University of Alabama in 2008.

Roach and his wife, Ashley, have three daughters, Mattie, Addison and Alexandria, and a son, Freddie III.