Alabama hires ex-Michigan assistant football coach ahead of CFP semifinal against the Wolverines… reigniting spying talk in the wake of Conor Stalions scandal
Alabama has added ex-Michigan assistant George Helow to its coaching staff ahead of the team’s CFP semifinal against the Wolverines, according to several outlets.
Helow worked as Michigan’s linebackers coach in 2021 and 2022 under head coach Jim Harbaugh. He left the Big 10 East program, shortly after Michigan rehired Chris Partridge from Ole Miss to coach the linebackers.
He wasn’t on any team’s coaching staff this season.
The specifics of Helow’s new role are yet to be known, but it appears that he will not be on the Tide’s sideline as one of 10 on-field assistants, according to The Athletic.
Alabama, ranked No. 4 in the country, will matchup against No. 1 Michigan on New Years Day in the CFP semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game. It’ll be played in New Orleans.
A former defensive back at Ole Miss, Helow has been credited for the development of two current Michigan linebackers, Michael Barrett and Junior Colson — two pillars of Michigan’s defense.
He also worked under Wolverines defensive coordinator Jesse Minter in 2022.
Last month, Partridge was fired by Michigan for failure ‘to abide by the university directive not to discuss an ongoing NCAA investigation with anyone associated with the Michigan football program.’
In a statement released after his dismissal, Partridge claims to have no knowledge of the prohibited off-campus signal-stealing scheme operated by former Michigan staff member, Conor Stalions.
Before his time at Michigan, Helow coached at Maryland and Colorado State.
His most recent hiring will be a full circle moment, as he started his coaching career as an intern for Alabama coach Nick Saban in 2012.
He later had coaching stints at Florida State and Georgia.
