Karl Dunbar

(Associated Press)

Alabama announced the hiring of Karl Dunbar as its new defensive line coach Thursday night.

The Tide was in need of a new defensive line coach following the recent resignation of its previous defensive line coach, Bo Davis.

The 48-year old Dunbar had worked in the NFL since 2006, but has a longstanding relationship with Alabama coach Nick Saban.



A former standout defensive lineman at LSU, Dunbar was LSU's strength and conditioning coach under Saban from 2001-02 and later returned as the Tigers' defensive line coach in 2005 under Les Miles before heading to the NFL in 2006.

"We have known Karl Dunbar for a long time, and he has a lot of experience coaching the defensive line in both the NFL and college," Saban said in a statement. "Karl is very familiar with our program from an organizational standpoint as well as the defensive scheme we run. He is a fantastic football coach who brings a wealth of coaching experience while being a great asset in recruiting."

Dunbar was the Minnesota Vikings' defensive line coach from 2006-11, the New York Jets' defensive line coach from 2012-14 and the Buffalo Bills' defensive line coach last season.



The Bills fired Dunbar in March.

"I am really excited to get back into college football and to have a chance to work with such a talented group of student-athletes at The University of Alabama," Dunbar said. "The program Coach Saban has built at Alabama is second to none, and the opportunity to work for him once again is special. I have a great appreciation for the tradition and history that surrounds Crimson Tide football, and I look forward to doing my part to contribute to this program's continued success."