re: CFB Coaching Carousel

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• David Ballou is in his third season as Indiana football’s director of athletic performance.

• A former IU fullback, Ballou lettered in 1997, 1998 and 1999, and was recognized as the Hoosier Strength Challenge Champion.

• Eleven players earned All-Big Ten honors as the 2019 Hoosiers went 8-5 and punched a ticket to the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, the program’s first Florida bowl game.

• Indiana’s eight wins were its most since 1993.

• Four IU standouts have moved on to the NFL under Ballou, including Washington Redskins fourth-round pick Wes Martin. He has now trained 31 NFL Draft picks in his career.

• Spent 2017 as the University of Notre Dame’s co-director of football strength and conditioning after a 14-year stint as the head strength and conditioning coach at Avon High School (Ind.).

• In Ballou’s lone campaign in South Bend, the Fighting Irish went 10-3 with a victory over LSU in the Citrus Bowl. ND posted a 4-8 record prior to his arrival. He helped develop the recipients of the Joe Moore Award, honoring the best offensive line in the country.

• Two of those linemen, guard Quenton Nelson (6) and tackle Mike McGlinchey (9), were drafted in the Top 10 of the 2018 NFL Draft. Four players were selected overall.

• Prior to his arrival at Notre Dame, Ballou worked as the head football strength and conditioning coach at IMG Academy, where the program made huge strides in speed and injury preventions.

• The 2015 team went undefeated (9-0) and ranked No. 4 in the country (USA Today). IMG also went unblemished (12-0) in 2016 and rated No. 1 nationally (MaxPreps).

• In 2016, seven IMG players were laser-timed at under 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash one year after having no players achieve that benchmark. Twenty-one of the 22 season-opening starters also started in the final game of the season.

• A part of the 2016 and 2017 NFL Combine Training at IMG, where he trained 26 players that were drafted into the NFL.

• During Ballou’s tenure at Avon (2002-14), teams won six state championships in multiple sports and seven others were finalists. He assisted in the development of 80 NCAA Division I athletes.

• Finalist for the 2014 NSCA National High School Strength Coach of the Year Award. He has held the credential as a certified strength and conditioning specialist (with distinction) since 2001.

• Graduated in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Indiana and earned his master’s degree in 2009 in human movement from A.T. Still University.

• David is married to the former Leah Horn, a Bloomington native, IU pole vaulter, two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and Indiana graduate. The couple has two daughters, Mallory (15) and Aubrey (12).

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I think Ballou is one of the guys Saban is looking at, but I have not heard he has an offer. As we've said a few times, I think Saban will take his time, but when he has his guy he will move fast and IMO it will happen fast. I do know from several sources that he's doing his due diligence, which he always does, but this time even moreso. And I should add that after talking to a lot of college coaches he's as highly regarded as any. -- TWatts

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Just spoke to a good source and barring something unexpected I expect David Ballou to be named Alabama's strength coach by the middle of next week but it could be earlier. Dr. Matt Rhea is expected to come with Ballou with Rhea being more of a speed guy I believe. They are a package deal I'm told.

Also hearing from reliable sources near Ballou that he has informed some people (I'm not sure if all have been told) at IU that he is expected to leave for UA, and have another source saying there should be announcement sooner rather than later. Again barring something unexpected but at this stage it sounds like most of the details are worked out.

EDIT: I would like to add that every person I spoke to this week around college programs said that this duo is the best in college football. Bar none and it isn't close. I've also spoken to a few college coaches that tell me both, but especially Ballou, are formidable on the recruiting trail.

Also as I said in a thread earlier today and a few times this week there were some guys mentioned as targets who apparently never were among the top choices for Saban. But he did do a lot of research for this role.

Still digging for more. -- TWatts

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- Have been told by someone close to Ballou that he turned down three NFL jobs last year and two this year. Very much in demand.

- Same source said it would take the perfect place and situation for him to leave. He’s an IU guy for a long time so Alabama is fortunate to land him. The ability to work with UA-type recruits was the biggest selling point.

- Also was told that UA is already in motion to upgrade the weight room for what Ballou/Rhea need for their system.

- As we told you when Cochran left, Saban saw this as a chance to change some things and upgrade to a newer, more up-to-date system. He was all in and did his due diligence here and wasn’t in a rush until he found his guy.

- Multiple sources have told us that Ballou has informed people close to him and the IU program that he is leaving.

- Spoke to a Big Ten coach who is familiar with the duo this morning: “Every kid at Bama will get stronger, faster and more flexible. That is a fact and it won’t take long for it to show.”

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