Alabama hires Central Washington defensive coordinator

Tuscaloosa, Ala. — Alabama football has quietly reinforced its defensive brain trust, adding Jake Vang as a defensive analyst less than two weeks before the Crimson Tide open spring practice, according to a CBS Sports report by Matt Zenitz.

Vang, who had accepted the defensive coordinator post at Central Washington for the upcoming 2025 season, will instead work under first-year Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack. His role will focus on opponent breakdowns, self-scouting and advanced tendencies rather than on-field coaching duties.

The 2024 campaign marked Vang’s first season coaching edge rushers at Sacramento State, where he helped multiple players finish with more than eight tackles for loss. Prior to that stop, the Kansas State alumnus spent two seasons as a defensive intern at Michigan State and one year as an analyst at Colorado State.

Vang’s arrival continues a recent trend of Nick Saban-era analysts who have cut their teeth at lower-division programs before landing in the SEC. With spring drills set to begin, his immediate task will be acclimating to Alabama’s scheme while providing data-driven support to Wommack and the rest of the defensive staff.

The move was first reported by Touchdown Alabama Magazine.