The college football season has been over for about a month, but there is still one coordinator job open on the market. Alabama lost its offensive coordinator last week when Steve Sarkisian surprisingly bolted for the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons. Reporters uncovered the fact that Nick Saban and Sarkisian did not see eye to eye, but that was a behind-the-scenes reality in the month of January, not something many people suspected on the surface. Now, after National Signing Day, Saban must replace this hole on his staff. He didn’t immediately fill the vacancy late last week, so he is obviously giving the matter some thought.
Brian Daboll, New England Patriots
There is a natural demand for staffers on the best teams in any sport. The New England Patriots are the best team in professional football, so it makes sense that any member of Bill Belichick’s staff will be seen as desirable by someone. In this case, the Alabama Crimson Tide have expressed an interest in Brian Daboll, a part of the Patriots’ staff. People might recall that Charlie Weis, formerly on Belichick’s staff in New England a decade ago, was then hired to be the head coach at Notre Dame and later at Kansas. Successful coaching staffs are always susceptible to being raided by others. Nick Saban knows what this feels like. He’s in a position of need. Why not see if the Patriots have the answer to his situation?
Jedd Fisch
The former passing game coordinator for the University of Michigan under Jim Harbaugh was recently hired by UCLA as its offensive coordinator. Nevertheless, Saban has reportedly indicated that he is considering Fisch for the open position. It hardly unheard of for positions to switch multiple times. No one would have expected Fisch to leave UCLA, but then again, no one expected Sarkisian to leave Alabama during this offseason – maybe the next one, but not this one. Fisch could reconsider and value Alabama above the Bruins.
George Godsey
The former Houston Texans assistant is currently unemployed, but he has repeatedly been mentioned as being on the Alabama radar. When one considers the miserable quarterback play Houston has suffered from in recent seasons, the idea of coaching Jalen Hurts, an up-and-coming quarterback, sounds very attractive. Godsey doesn’t seem to be going away in this coaching search. This is a situation in which he seems to want the gig more than Alabama wants him – this means he’s not the favorite, but it also means he could make a favorable impression if he gets a chance to make his case.
Mike Locksley
This is a coach who was helping Sarkisian with play-calling in the national championship game, and he is viewed as an ace recruiter, so for a few reasons – continuity and recruiting – making the in-house hire with Locksley makes sense. However, it is by no means a foregone conclusion. Saban is clearly weighing two kinds of coaches here – those with NFL experience and those in the college game. It is an open question as to which kind of coach Saban prefers.
Mike Yurcich
Yurcich currently runs the Oklahoma State Cowboys offense, which has often been one of the most prolific in the country over the last handful of years. Some might suggest that it’s just a system under Mike Gundy as previous offensive coordinators also had success, but anyway you look at it, Yurcich successful coordinates one of the best spread options in the nation. That’s something that’s going to appeal to Alabama. The challenge is the Yurcich already turned down an opportunity to head to the SEC. The Auburn Tigers came calling when Gus Malzahn needed to fill the same roll but Yurcich decided not to jump ship. That’s possibly because if Auburn stinks next season, his move could last for only one year. However, taking the job at Alabama is likely to provide more security as Nick Saban isn’t going anywhere. Whether Yurcich is the right fit is another story but he’s an intriguing name that’s jumped into the mix of late.
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