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Alabama OL seeing early benefits from Adrian Klemm hire

Originally posted on Touchdown Alabama Magazine
By Stephen M. Smith | Last updated Apr 7, 2026 10:09 PM ET

Can Alabama fans return to seeing an offensive line that moves opponents off the football and impose its will with consistent excellence?

Adrian Klemm, 48, is the coach that supporters hope can restore that “dawg-like” mentality to the Crimson Tide’s offensive unit. The Inglewood (Calif.) native knows what winning at the highest level looks like, especially with him coming from Bill Belichick.

Klemm was selected in the 2000 NFL Draft with Tom Brady and won three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots as an offensive lineman.

He has built a successful coaching career to this point – popping out 1,000-plus yard running backs at Southern Methodist University (Shawnbrey McNeal, Zach Line), UCLA (Paul Perkins), and Oregon (Bucky Irving) – developing offensive linemen.

Klemm also excelled in the National Football League with the Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers, yet Tide fans want to see him dominate in the Southeastern Conference. He was hired before spring practice started – replacing Chris Kapilovic – as the fourth offensive line coach since Alabama’s last College Football Playoff National Championship in 2020.

Some early benefits have begun for Alabama as Klemm’s pro mindset and teaching style have struck a chord.

Image | Source: Touchdown Alabama

Alabama Offensive Lineman Jackson Lloyd (77) during practice at Thomas-Drew Practice Fields in Tuscaloosa, AL on Sunday, Mar 8, 2026.

Jackson Lloyd, a redshirt freshman, is enjoying Klemm.

Lloyd, a California native, was highlighted early in spring practice as the starting left tackle. It has not gone to his head as he continues to work on fine-tuning his game.

In his media availability on Monday, Lloyd detailed some areas where Klemm has him and the line as a whole improving for the upcoming season.

“He brings a lot of energy on the field,” Lloyd said of Klemm. “He coaches us really hard, but he explains everything really well.”

Lloyd said Klemm is ‘easy to talk to’ off the field and that he has a ‘connection’ with the group; however, he has zeroed in on an aspect to take Lloyd to the next level.

Where is Coach Klemm improving Jackson Lloyd’s game?

Klemm has the second-year tackle using his hands better in the run and pass game.

“I have been using my hands and it has been a point of emphasis since Klemm got here,” Lloyd said. “I knew I had to work on it in the offseason, but the way Klemm came in here and started teaching it … I feel like I have really improved that part of my game.”

He is improving Lloyd, but can he make this group an exceptional one?

Alabama fans will have all eyes on Klemm on A-Day and in the fall.

This article first appeared on Touchdown Alabama Magazine and was syndicated with permission.

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