An ex-Alabama assistant and a former head coach are among those being considered for the Crimson Tide's defensive staff opening.

Charlie Partridge, who was FAU's head coach before Lane Kiffin and is now Pittsburgh's defensive line coach, has interviewed for Alabama's defensive line coach job, according to sources.

Partridge was Arkansas' assistant head coach and defensive line coach in 2013 prior to landing the job at FAU. The 44-year old was Wisconsin's defensive line coach from 2008-12 while also serving as the team's associate head coach and co-defensive coordinator in 2011 and 2012.

It's also possible Nick Saban could bring back Lance Thompson, AL.com has learned.

The 53-year old Thompson, who is South Carolina's defensive line coach and assistant head coach of defense, was the Tide's defensive line coach from 1999-2000 and Alabama's outside linebackers coach from 2007-08 and 2012-14. He also worked under Saban at LSU in 2002 and 2003.

There has been communication with several others regarding that opening as well, though, including former Seattle Seahawks defensive line coach Travis Jones and Los Angeles Chargers assistant defensive line coach Eric Henderson.

This opening has been there for the Tide since the Pittsburgh Steelers hired Karl Dunbar Feb. 8.

Dunbar had been Alabama's defensive line coach since 2016.

Matt Zenitz is an Alabama beat writer for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mzenitz.