Alabama’s 2025 season ended at 11-4, but a dismal rushing offense, 125th nationally at 104 yards per game, exposed major flaws. That led to offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic’s departure after a couple of rocky seasons. Just two days later, head coach Kalen DeBoer targeted a replacement who’s got pro-level experience.

On January 25, sources told On3’s Pete Nakos and Chris Low that USC analyst Adrian Klemm has emerged as the prime target to be Alabama’s next O-line coach. This shows Kalen DeBoer targeting a specific profile that blends NFL pedigree with college recruiting credibility. Adrian Klemm also coached the Oregon and New England Patriots’ offensive lines.

Adrian Klemm, an Inglewood native, starred at Hawaii from 1996 to 1999. He started four seasons, anchoring the left side during the program’s stunning turnaround from 0-12 to 9-4 in one year, capped by a bowl victory. That adaptability in player development remains a coaching asset, rivaling elite recruiting. Then, Klemm’s NFL chapter only strengthened his resume. 

Klemm was selected 46th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft and spent seven seasons in the league, including four with the New England Patriots. He was part of three Super Bowl teams. Those years shaped his reputation as a technician and a standard-setter. His coaching path mirrors that balance. 

Adrian Klemm has coached offensive lines in both the NFL and college, including stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Patriots, UCLA, SMU, and Oregon. He served as associate head coach and run game coordinator under Dan Lanning and helped land Josh Conerly Jr., the No. 5 OT nationally and a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

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There were pauses along the way. Adrian Klemm stepped away from the Patriots during the 2023 season due to a medical issue and did not return after the organization parted ways with Bill Belichick. In 2025, he resurfaced as a defensive analyst at USC. While it’s a quieter role, it did not diminish his standing.

Once finalized, Adrian Klemm’s addition will sit inside a larger offensive reshaping. Alabama has already lost QBs coach and co-OC Nick Sheridan to Michigan State and WRs coach JaMarcus Shephard to Oregon State. Kalen DeBoer is rebuilding the staff from the ground up, and his approach mirrors a broader trend at the top of the sport. 

Would Kalen DeBoer follow in Ryan Day’s footsteps?

Kalen DeBoer’s pursuit of Adrian Klemm is an indicator of Ohio State’s repeated turns toward the NFL when trying to fill key roles. Head coach Ryan Day leaned on pro-level coaches like Chip Kelly, Matt Patricia, and, most recently, Arthur Smith. He valued experience more than flashiness. His hiring of Smith as the Buckeyes’ OC followed the same logic Alabama appears to be using now. 

Arthur Smith’s Steelers offenses ranked 25th and 24th league-wide in yards per game. It may not be dominant, but it’s built on structure, zone concepts, and adaptability. The appeal was problem-solving. Alabama’s O-line issues are execution failures, and Kalen DeBoer is betting that an NFL-trained eye can correct them. That bet carries weight for the Tide. 

Adrian Klemm brings a lot to the table — Super Bowl standards, proven recruiting results, and recent college success — into a room that lacks a bit of clarity. Kalen DeBoer is following a model that has worked elsewhere. But would it work for Alabama? That remains to be seen. However, if the deal is struck, Alabama’s O-line will change expectations, even though Klemm‘s not the only one on the radar.