BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana defensive coordinator Kane Wommack has accepted the head coaching position at South Alabama. There were rumors that he was at the front-runner position for the job starting earlier this week and it is now reported that he will take over the South Alabama program. He will be the youngest NCAA FBS coach at the moment at age 33.
To be the head coach at the University of South Alabama is the opportunity of a lifetime! Melissa and I could not be more excited to return to a city that we love,” said Wommack. “Believing in all that this community has to offer, we proudly join a team of exceptional leaders in steering the Jaguar football program to reach its greatest potential. My staff and I will lead the Jaguars with a respect that honors those who have built this program; relational coaching that transforms the lives of our student-athletes; and, a contagious intensity that ignites and expands our great fan base. Our best is yet to come, GO JAGS!
Kane Wommack, USAJaguars.com
Wommack has been the defensive coordinator for Indiana for the past two years. He was the youngest defensive coordinator in the country when he was hired. Prior to working for Allen at Indiana, the two worked together while at Ole Miss in 2012-2013. Wommack was the DC/LB coach at South Alabama in 2016-2017.
South Alabama fired Steve Campbell last Sunday after a 9-26 record over the last three seasons without any bowl appearances. The program has been rebuilding since previous head coach Joey Jones left the program a year after making it to the Arizona Bowl and losing against Air Force.
Wommack was rumored for the Arkansas State head coaching job as Blake Anderson left the program for Utah State. Wommack’s father, Dave Wommack, has strong ties to the state of Arkansas as he coached both at Arkansas and Arkansas State.
This is the second year in a row one of the coordinators of the team have left the program for a head coaching vacancy. Last year, Kalen DeBoer left the program to take over at Fresno State who currently sits in 5th place at 3-2 in the Mountain West.
The loss of Kane Wommack will undoubtedly impact the Hoosiers immensely. Indiana has now had one of its most successful offensive and defensive seasons each of the past two years and each year had its coordinator hired away from the program. Wommack’s 4-2-5 “Swarm D” mentality has now been run to perfection the last year as the Hoosiers lead the nation with 17 interceptions in just 7 games. Indiana also has not allowed a touchdown in two of the last four games they have played. Last year, Indiana’s defense was not as nationally recognized, but they still finished near the top of the nation and were one of seven teams to have at least two shutouts on the season.
Indiana is currently on pause due to COVID precautions which cancels the Old Oaken Bucket rivalry game against Purdue. They will await their week 9 opponent after the conclusion of this weekend’s games, but it appears to be Iowa up next for the Hoosiers.
