Kane Wommack’s Sideline Energy Is Exactly What Alabama Football Needs

There are a lot of things I enjoy about watching Alabama football, but one of my favorite things this season has been watching defensive coordinator Kane Wommack on the sidelines.

Seriously, somebody needs to put a camera on this man for an entire game.

I don't know if there's another defensive coordinator in college football who gets more excited about a third-down stop, a big tackle or a turnover than Wommack. And quite frankly, I absolutely love it.

He's jumping around, pumping his fists, celebrating with his players and occasionally looking like he's about two seconds away from putting on a helmet and running onto the field himself.

And after watching Alabama's 31-13 victory over LSU on Saturday night in Baton Rouge, I'm convinced that Wommack's energy is becoming one of my favorite parts of this football team.

At one point during the LSU game, head coach Kalen DeBoer actually had to grab Wommack and pull him back toward the sideline because the defensive coordinator had gotten so caught up in the moment.

I couldn't help but laugh.

Not because Wommack was doing anything particularly unusual for him, but because it perfectly captured the kind of passion he brings to this program.

When asked about the incident Monday, Wommack acknowledged that he had gotten a little carried away and explained that DeBoer stepped in while the staff was preparing for LSU's next decision on fourth down. That's the kind of problem I don't mind having, as long as it doesn't cost Alabama a penalty. Give me a defensive coordinator who cares that much about what his players are accomplishing.

I've always believed football is an emotional game. You can have the best athletes in the country, the most complicated defensive schemes and an entire coaching staff full of brilliant football minds. But if your players aren't excited about competing, something is missing.

Football requires physicality, discipline, preparation and execution. But it also requires an attitude. And Wommack has plenty of that.

What I appreciate most is that he isn't standing on the sideline demanding energy from his players while offering none himself.

He's leading by example.

When his defense makes a big play, he's celebrating right alongside them. When they get off the field, he's there to encourage them. And when something goes wrong, he's immediately working to get things corrected.

There's something refreshing about seeing a coach who is so emotionally invested in the success of his players.

Now, I'm not suggesting that yelling louder or jumping higher makes someone a better football coach. If that were the case, half the Alabama fan base would be qualified to coordinate the defense on Saturdays.

But enthusiasm can be contagious.

Think about what happens when a player makes a huge fourth-down stop and looks toward the sideline to see his defensive coordinator celebrating like Alabama just won the national championship. That's the kind of response that tells a player his effort matters.

And when you have an entire defensive unit buying into that mentality, it can become part of the team's identity.

Saturday night's victory over LSU was another example of why Alabama needs the mentality Wommack brings.

The Crimson Tide didn't play a perfect defensive game. LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt threw for 380 yards, and there were certainly moments when Alabama gave up more ground than anyone wearing crimson would have liked.

But here's what mattered: LSU struggled to finish drives.

Alabama's defense came up with critical stops, protected the end zone and refused to allow the Tigers to turn offensive production into touchdowns. That's not something that should be overlooked.

Great defenses aren't necessarily the ones that never surrender a first down or allow an explosive play. They're the ones that respond when the pressure increases.

There were moments Saturday when LSU had opportunities to take control of the game. Alabama's defense answered with stops that changed the direction of the contest.

And every time the Crimson Tide made one of those plays, there was Wommack, celebrating like he'd just made the tackle himself.

I love watching that. But more importantly, I love what it represents.

Alabama's defense wasn't simply trying to survive another possession. It was competing with confidence, urgency and an obvious desire to win the next play. That's the kind of attitude that can make a good defense dangerous.

One of the things that stood out to me about Wommack's approach this season is that his emphasis on sideline energy didn't suddenly appear during a nationally televised football game.

It started long before that.

During fall camp, Wommack discussed the importance of maintaining energy throughout practices and scrimmages. Alabama even developed what players called the "Juice Squad," which encouraged those not actively on the field to stay involved and support their teammates. Safety Keon Sabb explained that players had embraced the concept and that the sideline's energy helped carry the team through its scrimmage.

Wommack also emphasized how important it was for his players to respond properly to adversity rather than allowing difficult moments to define their performance.

I think that tells us something important.

His enthusiasm isn't just something he turns on when the cameras start rolling. It's part of the culture he's trying to establish. And culture matters.

When a player comes off the field after a difficult series, the response he receives from his coaches and teammates can influence how he approaches the next possession. Does he dwell on the mistake? Does he lose confidence? Or does he regroup, listen to his coaches and prepare to make the next play?

A defense has to be able to move on quickly, because the opposing offense certainly isn't going to wait around while you feel sorry for yourself.

Wommack seems to understand that.

His approach is about more than celebrating when things go well. It's about keeping his players engaged when things aren't going according to plan.

Now, let me make something clear: I can love Wommack's energy and still believe Alabama's defense has areas that need improvement.

Those two things aren't mutually exclusive. There are still missed assignments, coverage concerns and situations where the Crimson Tide needs to be more fundamentally sound. Being excited doesn't excuse mistakes. And as much as I enjoy watching Wommack celebrate, I'd much rather see Alabama consistently get off the field on third down than watch him celebrate a fourth-down stop after surrendering several first downs.

The standard at Alabama has never been simply playing hard. It's playing hard, playing smart and executing at a championship level. Wommack understands that expectation, and the real test of his leadership will be whether Alabama continues improving as the season progresses. Because passion without discipline can quickly become a liability.

That same fire that makes him entertaining to watch has to remain under control. Alabama doesn't need unnecessary sideline penalties or distractions in critical moments. But I certainly don't want him to lose the personality that makes him such a presence on game day.

There's a balance, and I believe Wommack can bring intensity without sacrificing discipline.

Here's what I keep coming back to.

College football has changed tremendously over the past several years. Between the transfer portal, NIL, conference realignment and constant pressure to win, the sport can sometimes feel more like a business than a game. And while the business side is certainly part of today's college football landscape, I still love seeing coaches who appear genuinely thrilled to be doing what they do.

That's what I see when I watch Wommack.

I see a coach who loves competing. I see someone who genuinely enjoys watching his players succeed. And I see a defensive coordinator who understands that coaching isn't exclusively about what happens on a whiteboard or through a headset.

It's also about relationships, confidence, accountability and getting 11 players to believe in one another.

Alabama has had some incredible defensive minds over the years, and Wommack will ultimately be judged by the results his defense produces. That's fair. That's Alabama. But there's something to be said for a coach who brings that much emotion to the sideline every Saturday.

I don't want to see Alabama become a team that simply goes through the motions. I want to see players excited about making tackles. I want to see defenders celebrating with their teammates. I want to see a sideline that reacts to a big stop with the same enthusiasm that most people reserve for a touchdown. And I want to see coaches who are just as invested as the young men they're leading.

That's what makes watching Wommack so enjoyable.

So, Coach DeBoer, you might want to find somebody whose sole responsibility on Saturdays is keeping Kane Wommack from running onto the football field. Because if Alabama keeps making big defensive plays, I have a feeling you're going to need them.

And as for Wommack? Keep bringing that energy, Coach.

College football needs more of it.

And so does Alabama.

Roll Tide.