Alabama has found its next man to lead the offensive line - and it’s someone with both NFL pedigree and a proven track record of developing talent at the college level. Adrian Klemm, a former Super Bowl-winning offensive lineman turned seasoned coach, is set to take over the Crimson Tide’s offensive line room, according to multiple reports.
Klemm steps in following the departure of Chris Kapilovic, who had spent the past two seasons in Tuscaloosa under Kalen DeBoer. For Alabama, a program in transition with DeBoer now steering the ship, Klemm brings a blend of championship experience and a reputation for building physical, efficient offensive fronts.
A Championship Pedigree - On the Field and the Sideline
Klemm isn’t just another coach with NFL ties - he’s a three-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, who drafted him in the second round of the 2000 NFL Draft. During his six-year NFL career with the Patriots and Green Bay Packers, he appeared in 42 games and made 18 starts. He wrapped up his playing days in 2007 with a brief stint on the Oakland Raiders’ practice squad.
But Klemm’s second act - his coaching career - has arguably been just as impactful.
He got his start in 2008 as a graduate assistant at SMU, quickly climbing the ranks to become the Mustangs’ offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator. That early jump set the tone for a coaching journey that would take him through multiple Power Five programs and the NFL.
Building Trenches Across the Country
Klemm made his mark at UCLA from 2012 to 2016, where he served as offensive line coach, run game coordinator, and associate head coach. There, he helped mold future NFL talent, including Xavier Su’a-Filo, who earned the prestigious Morris Trophy in 2013 as the Pac-12’s top offensive lineman.
After a three-year run with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2019 to 2021 under Mike Tomlin, Klemm returned to the college ranks in 2022, joining Dan Lanning’s first staff at Oregon. That’s where his coaching chops really turned heads.
In just one season with the Ducks, Klemm oversaw one of the most dominant offensive lines in the country. Oregon allowed just five sacks across 13 games - the fewest in all of college football that year.
That unit, featuring standouts like Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, T.J. Bass, Alex Forsyth, Marcus Harper II, and Ryan Walk, was a wall in pass protection and a bulldozer in the run game.
The results spoke for themselves: Oregon averaged 38.8 points per game, ranked among the top six nationally in total offense with over 500 yards per game, and boasted the 12th-best rushing attack at 215.8 yards per contest. The Ducks averaged 5.5 yards per carry, with Bucky Irving and quarterback Bo Nix leading the charge behind that dominant front.
A Short NFL Return and a New Chapter in Tuscaloosa
Klemm’s success at Oregon earned him a return to the NFL in 2023, this time as the offensive line coach for the New England Patriots under Bill Belichick. While the Patriots’ offense struggled overall, Klemm’s line allowed 36 sacks and helped the run game, led by Ezekiel Elliott and Rhamondre Stevenson, average 3.9 yards per carry - not elite, but respectable given the team’s broader offensive issues.
Most recently, Klemm spent the 2025 season at USC as a senior defensive analyst under Lincoln Riley. While it was a shift in title and focus, it added another layer to Klemm’s football IQ - and now he returns to the offensive side of the ball, this time in one of the most high-pressure roles in college football.
What This Means for Alabama
With Klemm, Alabama is getting more than just a coach - they’re getting a teacher who’s been in the trenches at the highest levels, both as a player and coach. His ability to develop linemen and build cohesive, physical units fits right into the DNA of what Alabama football has long been about.
And with Kalen DeBoer ushering in a new era post-Saban, the offensive line will be a critical piece of the puzzle. Klemm’s track record suggests he’s more than capable of handling that responsibility - and if history is any indicator, the Tide’s front five are in good hands.