Chuck Morrell owns the title of special assistant to the head coach officially in the Alabama football online directory, but he has essentially added to that title because of a rule change.

Now that the NCAA allows analysts and support staff to coach in practices, Morrell can be a true asset on the field as the Crimson Tide prepares for the season.

“He is an absolute pro,” defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said Tuesday after practice. “A brilliant defensive mind. Does a tremendous job with those linebackers.”

Morrell was most recently co-defensive coordinator/safeties coach for Washington under Kalen DeBoer. Morrell also coached safeties at Fresno State, the secondary at South Dakota and Sioux Falls. He also served as defensive coordinator at Sioux Falls from 1999-09. He later become Montana Tech’s head coach from 2011-19.

All that experience makes him a valuable resource for Alabama players and for Wommack.

“He’s been with Kalen for the last four years, so knowing what to expect, how we do things from a schedule standpoint,” Wommack said. “He’s really kind of been my right hand when it comes to those things. Very glad that he’s on the field. Very glad for that rule change, because that’s allowed us to do some things where he’s able to work with the linebackers hands-on, and allows me to kind of be able to address some of the needs on a macro level with our defense.”

Morrell and DeBoer go way back; They are former teammates at Sioux Falls, then they worked alongside each other as coaches at their alma mater. They linked up again at Fresno State and have worked together ever since.

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.