| Former University of Alabama gridiron standout Freddie Roach hired at East Mississippi CC |
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 Former All-SEC linebacker Freddie Roach with the Alabama Crimson Tide has joined head coach Buddy Stephens’ football coaching staff at East Mississippi Community College. A four-year letterman (2002-05) for the Crimson Tide, Roach most recently spent the past two years working as an assistant with the strength and conditioning program at his alma mater after joining Alabama’s athletic department staff in 2008. He was a staff member on the Tide’s 2009 national championship team. “Freddie (Roach) is a tremendous hire for our football coaching staff here at East Mississippi Community College,” EMCC’s Stephens noted. “He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience from his years playing and working for the University of Alabama. Freddie’s workmanlike mentality and youthful insight will prove very beneficial for what we’re trying to accomplish here at EMCC.” Upon concluding his collegiate career as the Tide’s No. 10 all-time leading tackler with 272 total stops, Roach signed with the NFL’s New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2006 but was released during the preseason due to injury. Having played in 50 career games primarily at middle linebacker for the Crimson Tide, Roach registered 151 solo stops and 121 assisted tackles, including 24 tackles for loss and four sacks. He was also credited with 17 career quarterback pressures, 15 pass break-ups, six forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Following an outstanding prep career at Brooks High School in Killen, Ala., Roach was redshirted by Alabama during the 2001 campaign. He made an immediate impact in his collegiate debut by returning an interception 41 yards for a touchdown against Middle Tennessee State during the 2002 season opener. As the Tide’s sixth-leading tackler with 63 total stops as a rookie, Roach was named to the 2002 Scripps/FWAA Freshman All-America Team. A second-team All-SEC selection by The Associated Press during his junior and senior seasons, Roach was also the recipient of Alabama’s Lee Roy Jordan Headhunter Award in 2005. He capped his collegiate career by being chosen to play in the 2006 Senior Bowl. A member of two bowl teams during his time on the Tuscaloosa campus, Roach also helped lead the Tide to 10-win campaigns during his freshman and senior seasons. “I’ve always been associated with winning programs throughout high school and college,” Roach said. “This coaching opportunity here at East Mississippi Community College will allow me to continue to excel in every aspect of life by being surrounded by successful people.” Most recently, Roach was named to the University of Alabama’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s as compiled by ‘BAMA Magazine and BamaMag.com. With a bachelor’s degree in human environmental sciences, Roach will have primary coaching responsibilities with EMCC’s defensive linemen. He replaces Larry Williams, who was hired at Copiah-Lincoln Community College after spending the past year at EMCC. |
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 09 February 2011 ) |
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