Alabama hires former Michigan Football assistant ahead of Rose Bowl

George Helow probably isn't a name that Michigan football fans expected to hear ahead of the Rose Bowl matchup against Alabama.

However, as reported by the Athletic and other outlets, Nick Saban, the head coach of Alabama, has hired the former Michigan football assistant, Helow, a linebackers coach, to his staff with the Crimson Tide ahead of the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.

Helow is going to start work for Alabama immediately. Coleman Hutzler, a linebackers coach for the Crimson Tide, has accepted a job to leave Alabama for Mississippi State. It's not clear if Helow will coach on the sidelines for the Alabama game as part of the on-field staff, but he could have some valuable insights.

Helow wasn't on staff for the Michigan football team this past season. Chris Partridge took over his role before eventually being terminated for communicating about the NCAA investigation with other Michigan personnel.

Helow worked as the linebackers coach for the Wolverines during the 2022 season for defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. Helow has ties to South Florida and has also coached under Nick Saban at Alabama before, as well as stints at Georgia, Maryland, and Colorado State.

This is an interesting move of gamesmanship by Saban. It's certainly not against the rules though and it does seem like Helow could become a full-time member of the staff next season.

It would be hard to pass that up. And, if you're Nick Saban and you need a linebackers coach, it would be hard to pass up one with Michigan info that just falls into your lap.

Nick Saban hasn't won all those national championships because he's stupid. He knows how to get an edge. Maybe it shows that Alabama is worried about the defensive scheme run by Michigan.

Who knows. What I do know is that the Wolverines will need to be at their best to beat Alabama, whether Helow is on the sidelines or not.