Here is the official release via UA Media Relations:
Alabama Football Announces Hiring of Paul Gonnella
University of Alabama head coach Nick Saban announced Friday the hiring of Paul Gonnella as Alabama’s Director of Player Personnel. Gonnella spent the last year in the same role at Purdue and will take over for Ed Marynowitz, who recently accepted a position with the Philadelphia Eagles.
“We are very pleased to have Paul join our staff,” said Saban. “His knowledge and experience organizing our recruiting operation will be an asset in the future of our football program.”
At Alabama, Gonnella’s main charge will be to direct the recruiting efforts for the Crimson Tide. He will also assist with camps, clinics and other football-related events. In addition, his responsibilities will include assisting with the administration and operation of the football program.
“I’m both honored and excited to be here at the University of Alabama,” said Gonnella. “Coach Saban is the best in the country when it comes to all of the aspects that go into leading a football program. That fact, combined with the history and tradition at Alabama, it doesn’t get any better. I just want to do my part to contribute and keep everything going in the same direction that it has been under Coach Saban the last several years.”
Prior to serving as the Director of Player Personnel at Purdue, Gonnella held that title in 2010 at the University of Memphis. He has also spent time at Miami, Tennessee and North Carolina in similar roles and capacities.
A native of Wakefield, Mass., Gonnella began his career as a coach and has worked with high schools in his home state as well as in Georgia. He served as the head football coach at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School in Cambridge, Mass., worked as a defensive graduate assistant and in quality control at Mississippi State, and also served on the staffs at Lovejoy (Ga.) and Somerville (Mass.) High Schools.
Did he do a good job at Purdue ? I honestly don’t know. I will have to rely on Coach to make this call……
My friend at Southern Miss describes the position as someone who makes appearences at visiting teams’ walk-thrus, and makes travel arrangements for recruiting visits as opposed to a crucial a coaching or admin position. I think we’re safe.