Nick Saban hasn’t made a habit over the years of hiring former Alabama players to be on-field coaches, so Freddie Roach knows not to take his opportunity for granted.

A Crimson Tide linebacker in the mid-2000s, Roach is in his fourth season as defensive line coach under Saban, having previously served as an assistant on the strength & conditioning staff from 2008-10 and as director of player development from 2015-17. Along with former defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, he’s among just two Alabama alums who have been on-field coaches during Saban’s 17 years in Tuscaloosa.

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“It’s been surreal,” Roach said during Friday’s Rose Bowl Media Day. “It’s been a process — we always talk about the process around here — but having the opportunity to be here in the weight room and then working off the field and going to other places, seeing how things work out, it’s truly been a blessing. I don’t take anything for granted and I always let these players know that, the opportunities you have, you’ve got to make the most of them.”

Roach grew up in the north Alabama town of Killen as the third of four brothers who all signed with the Crimson Tide. Oldest brother Tim Bowens was a wide receiver at Alabama in the late 90s, then Quentin Bowens signed with the Crimson Tide in 2001 but never actually played in Tuscaloosa.

Freddie arrived in 2002 and was a four-year starter at inside linebacker, twice earning second-team All-SEC honors. During a tumultuous time for Alabama football, he helped restore a little bit of luster to the program, helping the Crimson Tide to a 10-win season and a Cotton Bowl victory as a senior in 2005. (Youngest brother Will Roach signed with Alabama in 2003, but gave up football two years later to become a fashion model.)

Between his stints at Alabama, Roach coached at Murray State, East Mississippi Community College, South Alabama and Ole Miss. When he got the opportunity to return to his alma mater as an on-field coach in 2020, he jumped at the chance.

Alabama won the national championship that year, played for it in 2021 and is two wins away from another title heading into Monday’s Rose Bowl vs. Michigan. Having played in only two bowl games in four years as a player, Roach has learned to appreciate all the success Alabama has enjoyed during his coaching days.

“It’s been a fun ride,” Roach said. “You just trust in the process and understand how coach Saban wants things done. Our guys have bought in and are doing that. Obviously for the fan base and these young men, it’s been a great time. We just try to go one day at a time, just do the best you can with that day. And so far, it’s been amazing.”

Roach’s defensive line has been a stalwart group this season, helping the Crimson Tide rank in the Top 20 nationally in total defense and scoring defense, among other categories. Alabama rotates six or more players in a given game at the three interior line positions, hoping to keep the big men fresh for the second half.

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If there is a star of the unit, it’s senior Justin Eboigbe. A first-team All-SEC pick, Eboigbe bounced back from a neck injury that cost him all but four games in 2022 to start every game this season, and has totaled 60 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss heading into Monday’s Rose Bowl.

“He’s had a really an outstanding year, and it’s been good to have him around again,” Roach said. “Justin’s a great kid. We’ve got a good room and Justin is the leader of that room along with Tim Smith, Tim Keenan and Jaheim Otis. He’s just improved daily What he’s done up to this point he’s worked for. He deserves everything he’s getting and I’m happy for that.”

Kickoff for the Rose Bowl game is set for 4 p.m. Monday, with television coverage on ESPN.