The Alabama Crimson Tide made it official today, Drew Svoboda was announced as the new Crimson Tide special teams coordinator and tight ends coach. Svoboda replaces the departing Jay Graham who resigned to address mental health concerns. Svoboda joins Nick Saban's staff after spending the previous three months in the same role for the Memphis Tigers

Prior to his cup of coffee in the American Athletic Conference with Memphis, Svoboda spent four seasons coaching with the Rice Owls. Three of those seasons Svoboda was in charge of the Owls' special teams.

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"We are pleased to have the opportunity to add Drew Svoboda to our staff to coordinate special teams and coach the tight ends," Saban said. "He is a bright young football coach who has been successful at every stop of his coaching career. He does an excellent job in terms of teaching the players, and he is someone we believe will be a tremendous asset on the recruiting trail. We are happy to welcome his wife Kristi and their children Austyn and Jack to the Crimson Tide program.”

Although they only played five games in 2020 and went 2-3, Rice's special teams unit that Svoboda led ranked fourth in the nation in opponent kickoff returns, allowing just 15.65 yards per return. They allowed just 5.29 yards per punt return attempt as well, which ranked 41st in the nation.

Prior to his time at the college level he led Klein Collins High School to five district championships and a 93-24 record in 10 seasons. Svoboda played tight end and fullback for Stephen F. Austin and won the 1999 Southland Conference championship.

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