TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Let’s be honest: Freddie Roach has taken his fair share of heat over the past couple of seasons.
When Alabama’s defensive front wasn’t living up to the standard set by legends like Quinnen Williams, Da’Ron Payne, and Jonathan Allen, fingers started pointing - and a lot of them landed on Roach. As the Crimson Tide’s defensive line coach, and one of the few holdovers from the Nick Saban era under new head coach Kalen DeBoer, Roach found himself under the microscope. His ties to the program as a former player made the criticism sting a little more, but that didn’t stop the questions about whether he was the right man for the job.
And frankly, the concerns weren’t unfounded.
Alabama’s defensive line had lost its bite. The production wasn’t there.
The dominance at the point of attack - the kind that used to make opposing quarterbacks and running backs think twice - had faded. That was never more apparent than in the season opener, when Alabama got pushed around by Florida State.
The Seminoles ran for 230 yards and won by two touchdowns, and even though Tim Keenan was sidelined with an injury, the performance raised red flags. The Tide couldn’t stop the run.
They couldn’t pressure the quarterback. And those are two things Alabama football has historically done better than just about anyone.
But here’s the thing about coaching at Alabama: it’s not just about surviving the criticism - it’s about responding to it.
And Roach has.
The improvement along the defensive front hasn’t been subtle. It’s been steady, noticeable, and - most importantly - impactful.
The unit that once looked out of sync is now playing with cohesion, aggression, and confidence. Gaps are being filled.
Pressure is getting home. The run defense has tightened.
This group is starting to look like the Alabama defensive line fans remember - not just in flashes, but with consistency.
It’s a credit to Roach, who didn’t flinch when the pressure was on. Instead, he went to work.
Development has taken hold. Technique has sharpened.
Young players are stepping into bigger roles, and veterans are playing with purpose. The turnaround hasn’t been overnight, but it’s real - and it’s reshaping the identity of this defense.
So, if we’re going to call out the struggles, we’ve got to give credit where it’s due. Roach and his group have answered the bell. And as Alabama eyes the stretch run, the defensive line suddenly looks like a strength again - not a liability.
That’s a big deal. And it’s a big reason why this team is still very much in the hunt.