NEWS REPORT: Auburn Tiger icon Carnell “Cadillac” Williams has been hired by archrival Alabama as the Crimson Tide’s new Run Game Coordinator, marking one of the most unexpected coaching crossovers in….
Auburn Tigers icon Carnell “Cadillac” Williams has been hired by archrival Alabama as the Crimson Tide’s new Run Game Coordinator, marking one of the most unexpected coaching crossovers in modern college football and sending shockwaves through the sport’s fiercest rivalry.
Williams, a former Auburn All-American running back and longtime symbol of the Tigers’ identity, joins Alabama’s staff after a coaching journey that has steadily elevated his reputation as one of the game’s most respected teachers of the run game. His move from Auburn’s sideline to Tuscaloosa represents a rare crossing of a rivalry line that many fans consider uncrossable.
At Auburn, Williams was more than a coach. He was a cultural touchstone. A key figure on the Tigers’ 2003 and 2004 teams, Williams rushed for more than 1,900 yards during his collegiate career and later enjoyed a successful NFL stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Returning to Auburn as an assistant coach, he became a fan favorite not just for his football acumen, but for his passion, authenticity, and deep emotional connection to the program. His interim head coaching role in 2022 only deepened that bond, as players and fans rallied around his leadership during a turbulent season.
That history is precisely why the news has landed with such force. Alabama and Auburn’s rivalry, known as the Iron Bowl, is widely regarded as one of the most intense in all of sports. Coaching moves between the two programs are exceedingly rare, and when they do occur, they often come with lasting controversy.
From Alabama’s perspective, the hire is a calculated and strategic win. Williams is widely respected as a developer of running backs and a detail-oriented run game mind. As Run Game Coordinator, he will play a central role in designing rushing schemes, coordinating blocking concepts, and maximizing the Tide’s ground attack. Alabama head coach praised Williams’ “elite football intelligence, leadership, and ability to connect with players,” calling him “one of the most impactful run game coaches in the country.”
Reaction across the college football world has been swift and polarized. Auburn fans have expressed everything from disbelief to heartbreak, with some viewing the move as a personal betrayal. Alabama supporters, meanwhile, have largely welcomed the hire, celebrating the symbolic and practical boost it provides to the Crimson Tide.
Williams has addressed the reaction with characteristic composure, emphasizing his respect for Auburn while framing the move as a professional opportunity. “Auburn will always be a part of who I am,” Williams said in a statement. “But as a coach, my responsibility is to grow, to challenge myself, and to provide for my family. I’m excited for this next chapter.”
As the next Iron Bowl approaches, Williams’ presence on Alabama’s sideline will add a dramatic new layer to an already combustible rivalry. For a series defined by emotion, loyalty, and legacy, Carnell “Cadillac” Williams’ crossover may be remembered as one of the most stunning chapters yet.