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re: Alabama Hires Patriots' TE Brian Daboll as Offensive Coordinator
Posted on 2/9/17 at 7:58 am to Cobrasize
Posted on 2/9/17 at 7:58 am to Cobrasize
CECIL HURT: What type of coordinator will Nick Saban seek?
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The glory days of daytime drama have passed. No longer do shows like "General Hospital" or "All My Children" and the other soap operas of the past tell fictional stories of personal crises. They've long since been supplanted by "reality shows" ranging from Jerry Springer to The Kardashians to The Alabama Offensive Coordinator Job...
The three years of Kiffin and the six weeks of Steve Sarkisian certainly were lively, in part because no matter how successful Alabama's offense's were - and three College Football Playoff appearances and one title speak for themselves - there was something about Kiffin's persona that attracted attention, no matter where he has been or will go in the future (surely, Boca Raton isn't the final stop.)
Sarkisian was certainly his own person with his own particular set of baggage, but in some ways, his elevation from analyst to offensive coordinator seemed in some ways like a second chapter to the Kiffin saga. But the Atlanta Falcons swooped in and ended all that on Tuesday, leaving the question of what Nick Saban will do. The default answer - "whatever he wants" - is correct, but not revealing.
The immediate flurry of detective work blasted past the usual suspects and to the highest profile name out there, former Oregon, Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49er head coach Chip Kelly. If nothing else, his resume was almost as circuitous as Kiffin's. For another, he's a proven architect of college offenses, at least in his Duck days.
The idea never seemed plausible - what are the odds that, even if hired, he'd still be around in 2018? But it did allow for thought about what, exactly, Saban is seeking. Sometimes, people forget Saban didn't hire Kiffin for name recognition or shock value. He hired him to adjust the Alabama offense in ways that would increase the Crimson Tide's chances of winning. That's always what it boils down to, in Saban's world.
We can only guess what Saban wants implemented now, or how flexible he will be in granting leeway to install something new. He can be flexible, which is why I never bought into the notion that some sort of philosophical discord was at the root of Sarkisian's departure.
But if I had to guess, I'd say the question gnawing at Saban after Alabama's last-second loss to Clemson is how he could field a defense that was just about as good as you could possibly have in modern college football (and the 2016 defense was that) and still not win a championship or stop a final drive. Clemson was good, no mistake, but the Tigers were much better after Alabama's best defenders had been in the field for 100 snaps.
The reason for that, paradoxically, was offense, not just the number of points scored but the ability to stay on the field, play physical football and complement the defense in that way. Look at Alabama's recent recruiting class and that seems to be where Saban is headed, not to some version of what Oregon once did. That doesn't answer the question of who might be the top candidate, but it does provide a signpost, possibly, to Saban's direction.
This post was edited on 2/9/17 at 8:31 am
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Posted on 2/9/17 at 8:26 am to TidalSurge1
Alabama football: About those Chip Kelly rumors
Sean Landry | SEC Country
Sean Landry | SEC Country
quote:
The hot stove of rumors regarding Alabama’s soon-to-be third offensive coordinator in as many months began its boiling on Wednesday. Chip Kelly either is or is definitely not interested in the position. Of course, Kelly’s name surfaced in rumors or speculation almost immediately following the announcement of Steve Sarkisian’s departure for the NFL.
While Kelly’s name is attractive to the Alabama fans who have grown used to spread concepts, zone reads and fast ball, formerly West Coast-only football, the hire is almost certainly a pipe dream. As Cecil Hurt of The Tuscaloosa News notes, the signs are pointing to a reversion toward pre-Kiffin norms, at least, though probably not to halcyon days of Major Applewhite or the Jumbo Package. Coach Nick Saban’s interest in dominating time of possession has been rekindled after the heart-wrenching loss in the national championship game. That means more Derrick Henry-style 23-run drives, more power sets and fewer passes behind the line of scrimmage. None of that sounds like Kelly.
More relevantly, Kelly hates recruiting. Like, really, really hates it. At Oregon, he held his own but struggled to consistently recruit quarterbacks and relied mostly on Nike’s money and flash to raise his program’s profile. And what did all that get him? An 18-month show cause penalty from the NCAA at the end of his college coaching career. Saban’s not averse to giving second chances when he expects it to pay off on the field, but this is certainly not one of those situations.
Kelly is not in need of the image reconstruction that Kiffin (and sort of Sark) received under Saban’s tutelage. He’s a proven college head coach and a middling NFL one, and he has no need to convince anyone of his ability to run a college program. Kelly doesn’t really need Saban like Kiffin did, and likely doesn’t have the temperament to endure the relentless “Process” under Saban’s direction, since Saban is Kelly’s elder in numbers only.
If you’re looking for the most likely name from outside the program to replace Sark, at least currently, take a look at the man on campus Wednesday: George Godsey, Godsey just left a dire NFL offense in Houston but was hamstrung by a lack of options at quarterback, a condition that would not follow him to Tuscaloosa. He, like Saban, comes from the Bill Belichick coaching tree and reportedly has a “tireless work ethic.” He’s worked with several Alabama assistants before, and he’d likely be an easy fit into the culture, which, after the previous three years, may be exactly what Saban seeks.
This post was edited on 2/9/17 at 8:32 am
Posted on 2/9/17 at 8:28 am to TidalSurge1
I wasn't aware George Godsey's father played at Alabama.
Posted on 2/9/17 at 8:37 am to CapstoneGrad06
I know that I don't know dick, but I really don't like the idea of a guy who has never had any tangible success calling an offense in his life. I don't care what coaching tree he is from or how hard he works.
Posted on 2/9/17 at 8:40 am to Triple Daves
Locksley would be the only one that's had successs projecting a college offense upward. He did so at Illinois. Of course his Maryland experience leaves a lot to be desired.
Posted on 2/9/17 at 8:44 am to CapstoneGrad06
quote:
Locksley would be the only one that's had successs projecting a college offense upward. He did so at Illinois. Of course his Maryland experience leaves a lot to be desired.
If Cecil is to be believed (and he probably should be), I think the list of possible replacements looks nothing like the list everyone in the media seems to think it looks like.
Helfrich, Locksley and even Billy Napier make a whole lot less since. Guys like Godsey, Tee Martin, Dan Enos and Rick Neuheisal make much more sense. Not that any of those guys are options, but the pool of possibilities is totally different if the thought is going back to the Mac/Nuss 1-back, under center looks.
Posted on 2/9/17 at 8:46 am to Triple Daves
All of the articles so far have been about 90% speculation, 10% guessing.
Posted on 2/9/17 at 8:47 am to TidalSurge1
quote:
All of the articles so far have been about 90% speculation, 10% guessing.
Which is why Cecil making a pretty definitive statement on the direction of the search should reset things. He doesn't just talk to talk.
Basically, scratch Helfrich, Kelly or anyone from that tree of thinking and start looking to places that Saban has previously expressed affection for.
Posted on 2/9/17 at 8:49 am to Triple Daves
Who even runs relatively successful pro-style type offenses anymore? The list isn't real long.
Washington, USC, Arkansas, Michigan, Louisville, Florida State............?
That's why I guess it makes sense that a lot of NFL guys will get looks. The depth of coaches who still do this is much deeper there than in college.
Washington, USC, Arkansas, Michigan, Louisville, Florida State............?
That's why I guess it makes sense that a lot of NFL guys will get looks. The depth of coaches who still do this is much deeper there than in college.
This post was edited on 2/9/17 at 8:51 am
Posted on 2/9/17 at 8:50 am to Triple Daves
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If Cecil is to be believed (and he probably should be), I think the list of possible replacements looks nothing like the list everyone in the media seems to think it looks like.
I think Cecil is speculating. His last sentence:
quote:
That doesn't answer the question of who might be the top candidate, but it does provide a signpost, possibly, to Saban's direction.
Keyword = possibly.
This post was edited on 2/9/17 at 8:51 am
Posted on 2/9/17 at 8:52 am to TidalSurge1
quote:
speculating
Possibly - but Cecil doesn't generally write entire articles at times like this unless he knows at least a little something. I'm not saying he knows the candidates, but I think he has a pretty general idea of the direction Saban wants the offense to move.
With that said, we could hire Chip Kelly this afternoon and I'll look like an idiot. Who knows.
This post was edited on 2/9/17 at 8:53 am
Posted on 2/9/17 at 8:57 am to Triple Daves
Sometimes Cecil does write articles that are speculation and opinion. Nothing in that article gives me the impression he has any inside scoop on what direction Saban wants to go with the offense and this hire.
I don't think Saban wants to go back to old school offense, just because the offense failed to sustain drives in the 2nd half of the Clemson game. Various execution errors, too much passing and snapping the ball with too much time on the play clock were the culprits.
I think Saban wants to stay multiple on offense with a DT QB like we are now. If Godsey lacks expertise in zone read option, RPOs, etc., that could even eliminate him.
I don't think Saban wants to go back to old school offense, just because the offense failed to sustain drives in the 2nd half of the Clemson game. Various execution errors, too much passing and snapping the ball with too much time on the play clock were the culprits.
I think Saban wants to stay multiple on offense with a DT QB like we are now. If Godsey lacks expertise in zone read option, RPOs, etc., that could even eliminate him.
This post was edited on 2/9/17 at 9:18 am
Posted on 2/9/17 at 9:15 am to TidalSurge1
Yea - I don't buy the notion that we want to go to some sort of Les Miles offense, but I do buy the notion that we want to get back to being able to maul people up front when needed.
I think there is a balance between the two, and some guys have very successfully meshed pro-style and spread centered run stuff with dual threats.
Who knows, we'll all find out soon enough.
I think there is a balance between the two, and some guys have very successfully meshed pro-style and spread centered run stuff with dual threats.
Who knows, we'll all find out soon enough.
Posted on 2/9/17 at 10:10 am to Triple Daves
I think Saban is sort of cleaning house as well with all the departures. If he wanted Mario to stay he could have matched the pay and/or promoted him but did not. I feel the same about Napier and Sark. I think Saban has a vision of what he wants and is no looking for someone who can match that vision. No matter what offense we use we need to run the ball to be successful in the SEC. We now have the RBs it seems and if we hopefully can develop the OL back to where it was prior to Mario arriving that mauled people in the trenches. Hurts made some poor decisions but it does not help when the pocket is collapsing and RBs need holes to run through or easy to predict when you know they can only run outside.
Posted on 2/9/17 at 12:10 pm to CapstoneGrad06
You can never tell about an NFL guy. They may have performed poorly, but they are at the mercy of the GM for personnel. Osweiler is hot garbage in a league where QB play is everything. Heck, we know Saban is a hell of a coach and he struggled due to QB personnel decisions that were out of his hands
Posted on 2/9/17 at 12:46 pm to narddogg81
Alabama Football New Offensive Coordinator: 10 Names; 4 Maybes; 6 No-Way
Ronald Evans | BamaHammer | Feb 8, 2017
Ronald Evans | BamaHammer | Feb 8, 2017
quote:
The Alabama Football search and 10 Possibilities: 4 coaches who could be hired and 6 coaches who have no chance.
The Alabama Football Offensive Coordinator search has sent a shock-wave across the college football landscape. It is the hottest topic since the championship game. Yesterday media experts, caught by surprise, were throwing names around that have no chance.
Today let’s take a few deep breaths and ease away from the clamor. History tells us Nick Saban is not likely to be in a rush to make a decision. We can be assured the man who has a plan for everything will not make a move until his choice is sure.
We can speculate on what strengths Saban will be seeking in his next hire. First and foremost, Saban wants a coach who is adaptable. Nick is not totally turning over the offense to anyone. From the Kiffin experience, we know Nick is open to new ideas and styles of play.
We also know that no Saban team will ever be willing to simply outscore the opposition, Big 12 style. Alabama, through Saban’s recruiting wizardry, has loaded up on dangerous running backs and big, strong and quick offensive linemen. Saban will demand run/pass offensive balance be achieved.
It is reasonable to expect that Saban is looking to hire a coach who is a gifted “Quarterback-Whisperer.” All the Tide quarterbacks are young. They need a coach with whom they can bond. They need a coach who knows young men, almost as well as he does X’s and O’s.
Let’s work our way through a list of 10 coaches. Four of them seem to fit the requirements defined above. Then we will look at six more that do not.
Posted on 2/9/17 at 12:48 pm to TidalSurge1
quote:
Tee Martin – Offensive Coordinator – USC
Tee Martin is a hot coaching commodity, despite only being an Offensive Coordinator for one season. Why would some Tide fans be unhappy with Martin? That’s easy. He played for Tennessee. What is worse, he grew up in Alabama and left the state to play for the Vols. Bad enough? No, it gets worse. In 1998 Martin, at starting quarterback, led Tennessee to the BCS Championship.
Nick Saban would give less thought to such dissonance than he would a gnat buzzing around his straw hat during a hot, August practice. Advice to Alabama fans (including myself), get over it.
Martin’s star is clearly on the rise. Many Tennessee fans are lusting for Butch’s demise sometime in 2017 and Martin returning to the Vols as Head Coach in 2018.
Most of Martin’s coaching career has been spent working with wide receivers. He only has two years as an Offensive Coordinator. It may be significant that one of those years as OC was 2009 when Martin worked at New Mexico for Mike Locksley.
Between then and his USC stint that began in 2012, Martin worked at Kentucky. In his 2nd season for the Wildcats, he was the passing game coordinator.
This past season at USC, Martin is given credit for quickly molding freshman quarterback, Sam Darnold into one of the top QB’s in the nation. Another plus for Martin. He is respected as a top recruiter.
The biggest risk for Martin is that damn Volunteer connection. When UT pulls the trigger on the Dave Hart to Phil Fulmer Athletic Director transition, Butch is likely to be gone. Fat Phil coached Tee on the 1998 BCS Championship team.
Bring in Tee Martin as Offensive Coordinator and after one season he might abandon Alabama again.
Posted on 2/9/17 at 12:49 pm to TidalSurge1
quote:
George Godsey – Former Offensive Coordinator – Houston Texans
Unlike Tee Martin, George Godsey has a positive Alabama connection. His father played for Paul Bryant at Alabama.
Godsey parted ways with the Houston Texans last month. He spent three seasons with the Texans, the last two as Offensive Coordinator. Many knowledgeable NFL sources believe Godsey was the fall-guy for the Texans’ trainwreck. The Texans decision to acquire free-agent Brock Osweiler for $72 million has been a disaster.
Someone had to take the fall. It probably should have been Bill O’Brien, but Godsey was designated as the sacrificial lamb.
Godsey was a star quarterback in his final two seasons at Georgia Tech. He was All-Atlantic Coast Conference, Academic All-ACC, and set the school record for career completions at 63.3 percent.
Godsey spent seven seasons coaching at Central Florida under George O’Leary. After one year as a Graduate Assistant, he was Quarterback coach and Running back coach for UCF.
After leaving UCF, he spent three seasons as a Belichick assistant at New England. His last two seasons with the Patriots he coached tight ends.
Godsey, like his two-time boss Bill O’Brien prefers a balanced, possession controlling offensive scheme that seeks to physically dominate opponents. Any of that sound familiar Tide fans? Of course, it does, and that is one of the reasons Godsey is a legitimate candidate for Alabama and Nick Saban.
Posted on 2/9/17 at 12:51 pm to TidalSurge1
quote:
Eric Kiesau – Wide Receivers Coach – Boise State
Eric Kiesau has worked at nine different colleges since 2000: Oregon, Utah State, California, Colorado, Washington, Kansas, Alabama, Fresno State and Boise State. His work has been mostly as an assistant, though he was an offensive analyst for the Tide and briefly served as Head Coach at Fresno State.
From Chris Vannini at coachingsearch.com here is what Kiesau said about Nick Saban and his 2015 season at Alabama, “What I learned from him internally, how to run an organization, how to treat people and get the most out of people comes from him. From the day I got there, on my laptop, I was taking notes every day. I was studying him, watching him. I wasn’t in a coordinator role, wasn’t in a position coach role. I had the opportunity to sit back and watch and observe this guy and study him. That’s what I did for the whole year. I took as much as I could from him.”
Talking about a guy that Nick Saban already knows well enough to understand what he would bring to the Tide. That guy is Eric Kiesau.
Kiesau has considerable experience as an offensive coach. He was Offensive Coordinator at Colorado, Washington and Fresno State. He was co- Offensive Coordinator and play-caller at Kansas. He was receivers coach and passing game coordinator at California. And he was a college quarterback.
Kiesau has acknowledged acumen for tutoring Pro-Style quarterbacks and installing no-huddle offenses. Some insiders believe Kiesau was a major reason for the Tide’s offensive success in 2015. He appears to be another excellent fit for Nick Saban’s expectations.
The biggest problem with Kiesau is that he has been on the Boise State staff less than a month. But then again, the man does get around.
Posted on 2/9/17 at 12:52 pm to TidalSurge1
quote:
Mike Bloomgren – Offensive Coordinator – Stanford
Mike Bloomgren played high school football in Tallahassee and college ball at Culver-Stockton College. He graduated from Florida State and then spent three years as a Graduate Assistant at Alabama. While at Alabama he earned a Masters in Education, graduating with a 4.0 grade-point average.
From 2002-2006, Bloomgren coached at Catawba and Delta State, mostly with offensive coordinator duties. He spent four seasons in the NFL with the New York Jets, including one season as quarterbacks coach and one season as Offensive Coordinator.
Bloomgren left the Jets for Stanford in 2011 and became the Cardinal Offensive Coordinator in 2013.
The Cardinal has had considerable success during the six seasons Bloomgren has been in Palo Alto. Stanford head coach David Shaw once stated that his goal was to make The Cardinal the “Alabama of the West.” Mike Bloomgren has had a large role in Stanford working toward that goal.
Accordingly, Stanford’s offensive goals are very similar to those of Alabama. Use a balanced attack and punish the other team physically until they quit.
It appears Bloomgren would be a perfect fit for Alabama. There is a problem, though. In 2015, Bloomgren tweeted, “People don’t leave Stanford University or David Shaw for lateral moves.” As Alabama fans, we believe there are no lateral moves to Alabama. What does Mike Bloomgren believe?
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