Newly hired special teams coach Jay Graham resigned from his position in Alabama, the school confirmed on Wednesday. Graham, who was hired in early February, said in a statement that he is moving away for mental health reasons. He will “seek professional help immediately” and “spend more time with loved ones”.
“Although mental health issues are not new, they are often difficult to discuss, especially for coaches / athletes,” said part of the statement. “I hope my voice will inspire others who may be struggling to get help.”
Graham came to Alabama from Tennessee, his alma mater, where he spent a season with the Vols on his second stint as a coach on the show. Before his time in Knoxville, Graham made technical stops at Texas A&M, Florida and South Carolina, among others. Saban said of Graham at the time of his hiring: “Jay is highly respected across the country for his knowledge of the game and his ability to recruit. He has experience in several schools at the SEC with a proven record of his ability to teach the game and develop young people both in the field and in life. “
Vols coach Jeremy Pruitt was fired in January amid an NCAA investigation into possible recruitment violations. In addition, technical assistants Brian Niedermeyer and Shelton Felton, four members of the recruiting team on campus, the players’ director and assistant personnel director, as well as a football analyst were also among the nine people fired in the midst of the radioactive fallout. .
With Crimson Tide underway with spring football, coach Nick Saban should speak to the media about the situation.