Alabama has found its next tight ends coach, per CBS Sports and 247 Sports' Matt Zenitz, who reported the news on Wednesday night.
Former Louisville offensive line coach Richard Owens will lead the Crimson Tide position group after multiple stints with the Cardinals, his alma mater. Before serving as Louisville's offensive line coach the past three seasons, he previously served as the tight ends coach in 2018. The Florida native played tight end in the NFL from 2004-07 for the Minnesota Vikings and St. Louis Rams as well.
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He also coached UAB's tight ends in 2012 and was UAB's offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach in 2013, with new quarterbacks coach Bryan Ellis serving as a graduate assistant both seasons. They reunited in 2022 at Georgia Southern, when Ellis was offensive coordinator and Owens was run-game coordinator and offensive line coach. Owens also served as South Alabama's offensive line coach in 2016 and 2017 when Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Kane Wommack was defensive coordinator for the Jaguars.
Two-time national champion (2009, 11) at Alabama, Nick Gentry, was also on the UAB staff (defensive end/outside linebackers coach) at the same time as Owens, who served as the offensive line coach for the Blazers for two seasons (2020-22).
Gentry, who was a member of the first recruiting class with Nick Saban in 2027, caught up with Bama247 to share his thoughts on what Owens is bringing to the Alabama football program, both on the field and on the recruiting trail.