Bobby Williams moving to off-the-field position

University of Alabama special teams coach Bobby Williams is moving to an off-the-field position and staying at UA as part of a shift in the offensive staff's coaching duties, The Tuscaloosa News has learned.

Williams will move into a position of "special assistant to the head coach."

Alabama also confirmed the hiring of Brent Key, who was introduced to the team earlier this week, to coach guards and center on the offensive line. Mario Cristobal, who has coached the offensive line since 2013, will transition to coach offensive tackles and tight ends. Cristobal will also serve as the program's recruiting coordinator.

“What a tremendous opportunity to work at The University of Alabama with Coach Saban,” Key said in a statement released by UA. “Coach Saban has built a tremendous program in Tuscaloosa, continuing a long tradition of success. I’m really excited to be part of this team and can’t wait to get on the field and start teaching.”

Key comes to Alabama from Central Florida, where he coached the offensive line from 2009-14. He held the title of assistant coach from 2012-14 and spent six seasons at the Knights' recruiting coordinator.

“We are excited to announce the addition of Brent Key to our staff,” UA head coach Nick Saban said. “He is an outstanding football coach who is well-respected across the country in terms of his knowledge of the game, his reputation as a teacher and his ability to recruit. We are pleased to welcome Brent and his wife Danielle to Tuscaloosa.”

The Tuscaloosa News learned that Alabama held a team meeting this week when Key was introduced as the offensive line coach, specifically centers/guards (as SI.com reported earlier this week), with Cristobal moving to coach tackles/tight ends. Billy Napier was announced as remaining the wide receivers coach.

Reach Aaron Suttles at aaron@tidesports.com or at 205-722-0229.