This week, several coaches have traded Tuscaloosa, Alabama, for Seattle, including Ryan Grubb.
Robert Bala, who coached inside linebackers at Alabama in 2023, was hired by new UW coach Jedd Fisch on Friday to head the same position group for the Huskies the following season.
On February 1, Bala’s appointment as Western Michigan’s defensive coordinator was first announced.
The native of Oceanside, California, worked as a coach for Nick Saban for one season. Linebackers Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell, who were coached by Bala, finished second and third on the team with 67 and 66 tackles, respectively. Campbell had two fumble recoveries and an interception, while Lawson added three sacks.
Alabama went 12-2 to win the Southeastern Conference, but ultimately lost 27-20 to eventual national champion Michigan in thel, with Lawson and Campbell at the center of the Crimson Tide defense. The 16th-best defense in the country, Alabama’s, gives up just 19 points per game.
