Chris Rumph Position: Defensive Line Experience: First Year Alma Mater: South Carolina Graduated: 1994

The newest member of the Alabama defensive coaching staff, Chris Rumph, is in his first season with the Crimson Tide. Rumph, a four-year letterman during his playing days at South Carolina, joined Alabama's staff after five years as the defensive ends coach at Clemson.

Rumph's defensive line has been stellar in 2011 helping the Crimson Tide to a nation ranking of No. 1 in rushing defense, allowing just 74.9 points per game. Josh Chapman has anchored the line from his nose guard position, earning second-team All-SEC honors this season. In 2011, Chapman has collected 22 total tackles, including 3.5 for loss, one sack and a pair of pass breakups. Alabama leads the nation in all five major defensive categories heading into the National Championship Game.

In Rumph's tenure at Clemson, the Tigers ranked among the top 25 nationally in scoring defense and total defense in each of those five seasons. The 2010 defense was 19th in total defense (320.3 ypg) and 13th in scoring defense (18.8 ppg). Clemson appeared in bowl games to conclude each of those five seasons and won the ACC Atlantic Division Title in 2009. Rumph coached 2010 All-American Da'Quan Bowers, who led the nation in sacks (15.5) and was tied for first in the NCAA in tackles for loss (26.0). He also coached defensive end Phillip Merling, who was the No. 32 overall pick by the Miami Dolphins in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Prior to his stint at Clemson, Rumph was the outside linebackers coach at Memphis for three years (2003-05). Memphis appeared in bowl games in each of his three seasons and won a total of 24 games during that time. Memphis beat SEC rival Mississippi in 2003 and 2004 and the Tigers were ninth in the nation in total defense in 2003. In 2005, the Memphis defense finished 23rd in the nation in turnover margin and led the conference in rush defense (125.6 ypg), which was good for 27th in the NCAA.

Rumph was the defensive backs coach at South Carolina State in 2002 following a five-year stint as head coach at Calhoun County (SC) High School. He also served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks/running backs coach there.

Rumph was born December 21, 1971, in Orangeburg, South Carolina and played high school football at Calhoun County High School in St. Matthews, S.C. Rumph signed with South Carolina and played linebacker from 1991-94, earning his B.S. degree in 1994. He helped the Gamecocks record their first bowl victory in the 1995 Carquest Bowl. He and his wife, Kila, are the proud parents of two sons, Christopher and Elijah.