re: Alabama Hires Patriots' TE Brian Daboll as Offensive Coordinator

Yea, I don't want to hear the "Saban knows best" shite from anyone.

I hate that stuff.

I know the argument for Daboll is that he would have likely been promoted to OC for New England if McDaniels had taken a HC job.

I'd rather find an up and comer than a rehashed failure as an OC. Like the Dolphins QB Coach Bo Hardegree, who may be a n OC in the next 2 years.

He's a former Vol QB, but has learned under the likes of David Cutcliffe and Adam Gase(former Saban GA himself). Gase got him on staff in Denver at the recommendation of Jim Bob Cooter, then took him to Chicago, and then made him QB coach in Miami when he was hired as HC.

I'd love for there to be a strong QB development base built upon the offensive staff...

I do find it interesting that Chad Morris' OC at SMU is Birmingham native Joe Craddock.

Dabo hired him from Briarwood Christian in 2011, and Chad Morris took a fancy to him. So much, he hired him as his OC at SMU as a 29 year old. Offenses there haven't been spectacular, but it's SMU.

I know people like Morris' offensive disciples. He's young, but you could pair him with a more experienced Locksley...

The title for this thread on BOL is the "coaching hot board"

After reading through our candidates, the title really should say "Coaching Lukewarm Board"

If things go the way they're trending, this will be the worst hire of the CNS era.

Some premature melting going on up in here.

We don't know who all is Saban is considering and talking to. He obviously doesn't want anyone to know. Pretty easy to keep it quiet too. He can conduct most of the process with a damn smartphone.

Mac was an unexpected hire. He did a fine job.

I hated the idea of hiring Lane. It went much better than I expected for much longer than I expected.

It was actually pretty smart to hire Lane. Saban knew he had the acumen. He also knew Lane could not afford to fail again. He made sure Lane knew it too.

I think it's fair to say there are some very good candidates out there who would jump on the opportunity. I figure some guys (e.g., Sterlin Gilbert, Erik Kiesau, etc.) would probably even reach out to Saban.

Saban may surprise us again. For example, I haven't seen anyone mention Josh Heupel as a possibility.

Relax.

Josh Heupel - Mizzou OC

quote:

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Barry Odom has recruited Josh Heupel (pronounced HIGH-pull) to join his new coaching staff. Heupel will serve as Mizzou's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

Heupel brings with him an impressive track record of success, including four national championship game appearances, seven BCS bowl games and coaching oversight of two Heisman Trophy winning quarterbacks. He has 13 years of coaching and recruiting experience at the highest level, including the last five seasons as offensive coordinator and play caller at Oklahoma and Utah State. Heupel finished his first season as assistant head coach/offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach with Utah State.

Heupel has been part of 13 bowl games and six conference championship teams since beginning his coaching career in 2003, including 11 seasons on staff at his alma mater Oklahoma (2003-04, 2006-14). During his coaching tenure at OU, the Sooners played in three national championship games (2003, 2004 and 2008 seasons), and Heupel helped mentor two Heisman Trophy winning quarterbacks in Jason White (2003) and Sam Bradford (2008), while a third, Landry Jones, won the Sammy Baugh Award in 2010 as the nation's top passer. Heupel's name also carries a lot of clout in recruiting circles due to his prowess as a quarterback during his playing days, when he led Oklahoma to the BCS National Championship in 2000, while finishing as the Heisman runner-up that season.

"I'm really pleased to have someone the caliber of Josh Heupel join our staff," said Odom. "I've known him for a long time and have always respected him highly, as a player, a coach, a recruiter and a coordinator. I've been impressed by the offenses that he runs, they're very difficult to defend, and his achievements speak for themselves. He's a high-character person who has the type of leadership abilities that will be outstanding for our program, and he's exactly what we're looking for. We're excited to have him on board," said Odom. 

"I am very grateful to Coach Odom for this opportunity," said Heupel. "First and foremost I believe in the person Barry Odom is and what he stands for. I believe in the vision that he has for this program. I have a lot of respect for Mizzou and the football program, as someone who's seen it from an outsider's perspective for a long time. I believe this is a special place that has just scratched the surface of what it can be, and it's a program that is capable of winning championships on a consistent basis. I want to be part of that. I think it's a great time to be at Mizzou, and I'm excited to get there and to go to work," he said.

Utah State reached a bowl game in 2015 despite losing all-star quarterback Chuckie Keeton to a season-ending knee injury after just three games. Despite that loss, Heupel's Aggie offense improved to 60th nationally in scoring (29.7 ppg), up from 81st in 2014, prior to his arrival there. 

In his final season at Oklahoma, the Sooner offense led the nation in fewest sacks allowed (0.69 pg), and led the Big 12 and ranked 10th nationally by averaging 261.2 rushing yards per game, which was the best output by OU since 1991. OU also ranked third in the Big 12 and 20th in the nation in scoring (36.4 ppg), and fifth in the Big 12 and 23rd nationally in total offense (464.7 ypg).

With Heupel calling the signals of a balanced Oklahoma offensive attack in 2013, the Sooners led the Big 12 by averaging 223.9 rushing yards and 423.0 yards of total offense. Despite three different quarterbacks seeing action over the course of the season, the Sooners registered an 11-2 campaign, culminating with a 45-31 win against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. 

In 2012, Oklahoma ranked fifth in the nation in passing (336.5 ypg) and 12th in total offense (497.9 ypg) as Jones became the Big 12's all-time leader in passing yards and total offense. Jones also finished his career third all-time in passing yards (16,646) and fifth all-time in touchdowns (123) in FBS history.

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Mizzou 2016 offensive stats

Here's what we think we know so far: most of us believe Saban is changing offensive philosophies again to some degree or another. Five years ago he saw the game evolving and he knew the old grind it out pro style had limitations and he needed to change and get more explosive, a style that incorporated more spread, more HUNH, and more RPO principles since he himself had difficulty shutting down those offenses.

Enter Kiffin and his offense which was fundamentally West Coast but incorporating some of the above styles making it incredibly difficult to defend. The problem was Lane never did understand that CNS loved what he did but hated what he didn't do. Lane never figured out how and when to incorporate the power running game into his offense and time and again, in big games against big opponents, that bit us or nearly bit us in the arse. In any of our close calls or losses over the past few years, I don't think we ever felt like we didn't throw enough. It was always "run the damn ball, baw!" Saban saw a carbon copy of Kiffin's style against Clemson and said "not again!" So we parted ways with Sark.

So who is he looking for? We're all speculating including myself, but I think he wants to swing the pendulum back in the other direction toward run first. He wants to stay balanced, he wants to keep the explosive plays and some spread principles but he wants a power run game there too. ( I think the jury is still out on the HUNH part since he saw how it can leave a defense on the field too much. If he keeps it, I think it is scaled back some.)

I think Coach Mac came closest to what he wants but Mac was actually too conservative and conventional and fell short in the explosive plays department.

Nuss, Kiffin, and Sark have one thing in common and it was their undoing: they are all pass first disciples and that will never change. They don't know how and when to run the ball effectively and consistently and always revert to their first love, the forward pass.

So what does that tell us? First of all, I think it eliminates any and all candidates who come from an Air Raid type system such as Lincoln Riley, and to a lesser degree, anyone from the Chad Morris tree and others like Heupel and the Chip Kelley tree. Oregon had impressive rushing numbers but they always used the pass to set up the run and their backs were receivers as often as they were RBs. It was definitely not a power rushing attack. That also eliminates the Hugh Freeze imitators. The list is getting shorter as we analyze what's required.

I'm convinced Saban wants someone similar to Michael Bloomgren at Stanford or Sterlin Gilbert at USF or another in that vein. They both stay well balanced, had strong rushing games complemented by good downfield passing attacks. And Bloomgren at least, has been very good at developing QBs.

I don't buy this NFL search. The NFL is a totally different game offensively where the passing game is the cornerstone of everything you do. Very few teams run the ball with any purpose other than to keep the defense honest and off balance. There are a few, but I don't see Scott Linehan leaving the Cowboys to take our OC job.

Bottom line is I don't know who CNS is considering for the job, but IMHO, i think I know who isn't on the list. And most of the names I've seen so far fall into the latter category. Saban is playing it very close to the vest and most of what you see out there is people just throwing names against the wall to see if any stick. I guess we'll find out soon enough as you know the guy will have to be in place before spring ball starts. I think we're going to like what we get this time. Roll Tide!

we forget that this is the NS offense and D and whoever he hires will be acclimating to that. They will bring some nuances to the game. I feel confident in saying that NS signs off on the game plan and makes in game adjustments through his headset and in the locker room.

Great so Chris Low is reporting Godsell, Daboll or Locksley. frickING MEH