<tbody> [TD="align: left"] |
<tbody>
</tbody>
[/TD]
</tbody>
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Alabama's new center has a familiar face giving him pointers during spring football. Former Crimson Tide center William Vlachos recently joined the program as a graduate assistant. He's worked extensively with sophomore Ryan Kelly, who has been tasked with filling the shoes of three-time All-American Barrett Jones.
"He's right there," Kelly said after Wednesday's practice. "He has so much experience with the game. That's really at the offensive line position what you need.
"He's giving me little pointers here and there as to how to just put your team in the best position to score touchdowns. Those two guys have helped me a lot. I still talk to Barrett whenever he's here."
Vlachos, who attended Mountain Brook High School, started at center for three seasons at Alabama. As a senior in 2011, he was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy and was a second-team Walter Camp All-American. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Tennessee Titans but did not make the team.
Vlachos picked up his bachelor's degree before the start of his senior season.
Graduate positions under Nick Saban are highly coveted. Before he was hired as a graduate assistant in 2010, Derrick Ansley, who is now an assistant at Kentucky, had five years of coaching experience.
Tim Castille and Jules Montinar were Alabama's on-field graduate assistants in 2012.
http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2013/04/former_center_william_vlachos.html
