Alabama Hires New WR Coach to Revive Star Player's Mojo

Can Derrick Nix help Ryan Williams regain his freshman-year form for the Crimson Tide?

Jan. 29, 2026 at 12:07pm

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Alabama has hired former Auburn offensive coordinator Derrick Nix as its new wide receivers coach, tasked with helping star wideout Ryan Williams bounce back from a sophomore slump. Williams burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2024 with a highlight-reel touchdown against Georgia, but his production has since declined. Head coach Kalen DeBoer is confident Nix's experience and player-friendly approach can unlock Williams' full potential in his final college season.

Why it matters

Williams was once considered a budding superstar for the Crimson Tide, but his regression over the past two seasons has been concerning. Alabama is banking on Nix's coaching expertise to revive Williams' career and keep the Tide's passing attack firing on all cylinders in 2026.

The details

After a sensational start to his college career, including a game-winning touchdown against Georgia in 2024, Williams has struggled to maintain that level of play. His numbers dropped off significantly in the second half of 2024 and throughout the 2025 season. Alabama is hoping new wide receivers coach Derrick Nix can help Williams regain his confidence and rediscover the form that made him a breakout star as a freshman.

  • Williams had 16 receptions for 462 yards and 5 touchdowns through his first 4 games in 2024.
  • Over the final 9 games of 2024, Williams had 32 receptions for 403 yards and 3 touchdowns.
  • In 2025, Williams finished the season with 49 receptions for 689 yards and 4 touchdowns, with just 1 100-yard game.

The players

Ryan Williams

A veteran wide receiver for Alabama who burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2024 but has since struggled to recapture that magic.

Derrick Nix

The new wide receivers coach at Alabama, hired away from his previous role as offensive coordinator at Auburn.

Kalen DeBoer

The head coach of the Alabama football team, who is confident Nix can help Williams regain his form.

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What they’re saying

“So far of what I've seen is what I was hoping for, and it's just a guy who's been around the league, a guy who has the experience. I love the way that he just was really down to earth and relates to our guys. I think they appreciate that already from him.”

— Kalen DeBoer, Alabama Head Coach

“I think all of us, that's our job as coaches, is to, you know, in the development process - I mean, there's a piece where it's skill development. It's just the piece with the psychological part, you know, all that for every player. And so I would expect that from our coaches. And certainly as pertains to Ryan, I think he's going to have a big year ahead.”

— Kalen DeBoer, Alabama Head Coach

What’s next

The Crimson Tide will closely monitor Williams' progress under Nix's tutelage during the offseason and into the 2026 season, hoping the new coach can help the veteran receiver regain his elite form.

The takeaway

Alabama is banking on Derrick Nix's coaching experience and player-centric approach to help Ryan Williams rediscover the magic that made him a breakout star as a freshman. If Nix can unlock Williams' full potential, it could be a game-changer for the Crimson Tide's passing attack in 2026.