Former Michigan linebackers coach George Helow is being hired by Alabama, a source briefed on the move told The Athletic on Thursday.
The 36-year old Helow is expected to begin work immediately as the Crimson Tide prepare to play his former team, Michigan, in a College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl.
Helow spent the 2021-22 seasons on the Wolverines staff. He helped develop Junior Colson into a Freshman All-America in 2021 and was part of top-15 defenses. He ultimately left the program after last season, when Jim Harbaugh brought Chris Partridge back to the Michigan staff as a linebackers coach. Partridge has since been dismissed from the program in the wake of an NCAA investigation into alleged improper signal-stealing on the team.
Helow broke into coaching during the 2012 season at Alabama as a defensive intern on Nick Saban’s staff.
What’s Alabama getting with this hire?
Though Helow wasn’t a part of this year’s Michigan staff, he did serve under current defensive coordinator Jesse Minter in 2022 — his knowledge of the Wolverines’ system will be valuable as Alabama faces its toughest defensive challenge yet. This season, Michigan ranks first nationally in scoring defense (9.46 points per game) and second in total defense (239.2 yards per game). Two of Helow’s former linebackers, Colson and Michael Barrett, were All-Big Ten selections this season.
Alabama isn’t scheduled to start practice until mid-month. The team will participate in lifting, running and player-led 7-on-7 between now and then, which gives Helow time to get adjusted and start meeting with coaches ahead of full-scale practice later in December.
Helow’s hire has the potential to turn into a full-time opportunity on Alabama’s staff after this season. Current outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator Coleman Hutzler has accepted the defensive coordinator job at Mississippi State, which leaves a void on staff. Helow served as linebackers coach and special teams coordinator at Maryland in 2020 in addition to 10-plus years of defensive experience with stints at Alabama, Georgia, Colorado State and most recently Michigan. If all goes well and Helow is ultimately elevated, then a young, highly regarded coach will join Saban’s team and Helow will have a prominent position on one of college football’s best staffs. — Kennington Smith III, Alabama beat reporter
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