Well, Nick Saban’s exit still hits Bama fans harder than a blindside sack. And let’s be real. Can we blame them? The man established a dynasty that crumbled the moment he left the campus. That’s a train wreck. The worst part is Bama not only missed the playoffs but somehow lost to Vanderbilt—a team that didn’t win since cassette tapes were still a thing. But the real mess? The players weren’t just leaving; they were hitting the exit door like it was Black Friday.
Plus, Saban’s exit created chaos on his coaching staff, inadvertently sending a talented ex-Alabama player to their rivals. On January 10th, 2024, Alabama lost one of its legendary coaches when Nick Saban retired. But the interesting thing is despite his exit, unlike many former commits and offensive linemen, Dontrell Glover decided to stay with the team.
As talking about the whole situation, he says, “I was at the house; they posted it on social media. I saw it, but I was like, still going to stay at Alabama.” We know that’s not the case as Dontrell is now a part of the Georgia Bulldogs.
But if Nick Saban’s exit pushed Dontrell away, then what did? Well, putting light to it, Glover says, “A few days later, Coach Wolf called and said they fired him, so I opened my recruitment back up.” That’s what made him take this tough decision. If you don’t know, coach Eric Wolford is an offensive line coach in Kentucky. Back then, though, he was a highly valued coach under Nick Saban, working with his talented offensive players. When coach Saban retired, Kalen DeBoer replaced him at Bama, and Wolford’s retaining went straight to the vein.
Upon hearing the news, Dontrell swiftly takes action by packing up and leaving to seek revenge on Alabama for allowing his beloved coach to depart. The lack of loyalty gives him no reason to stay, as he witnesses the trusted staff members vanish. And let’s be real, losing a player like Dontrell stings.
As a junior in 2023, he secured the left tackle position, leading Langston Hughes to a 9-3 record and a second-round playoff appearance in the Georgia 6A. His dominance in the trenches keeps defenses in check, making his departure a brutal blow.
Moreover, Dontrell is not the only one who did something of this sort. Even Marcos Davila pulls the same move at Purdue. After enduring a tough 1-11 season, Davila sees his offensive coordinator, Graham Harrell’s firing. This prompts Davila to move to Nebraska through the portal, highlighting how players often follow coordinators who depart.
The powerful influence of certain individuals can lead to hasty decisions.
Dontrell’s connection with coach Eric Wolford
If you’re curious why Dontrell values Eric Wolford’s presence so highly, just look at his impact on Alabama. He elevates the Tide’s performance to new levels. In the first eight games of 2023, Alabama’s offensive line struggled, allowing 29 sacks, one of the worst in the country. The running game, usually a strength, ranked only sixth in the SEC and 58th nationally.
Despite these challenges, Coach Wolford perseveres. During the game against LSU, Alabama’s offensive line suddenly transforms into a dominant force, paving the way for almost 300 rushing yards in a 42-28 victory. Even quarterback Jalen Milroe was sacked only twice, giving him the time he needs to excel, throwing for 156 yards and rushing for another 155 against LSU’s defense.
This is the magic of Wolford. And Dontrell sees it up close, as he openly hypes his work saying: “Everything he does with the O-line, I like it.”
Now, Dontrell Glover is moving on to his next chapter – being a four-star prospect, the 302nd-best player in the country, the 17th-best interior offensive lineman, and the 43rd-best player in Georgia. Despite considering South Carolina and Florida State, he ultimately chooses Georgia as his destination and sticks with his decision without hesitation.
The post Ex-Alabama Commit Exposes Program’s Blunder After Nick Saban Retirement That Forced Him To Flip to Immediate Rival appeared first on EssentiallySports.
