🏈 Alabama officially releases new coaching staff

[JoshB]

I have read that today is D-Day for defensive staff changes (if any). Rumor that Todd Bates (Clemson defensive assistant) was in TitleTown this weekend. We'll see. Losing your entire DL might be a good reason to get out of town........Paul Kersey......"by sundown?"

The same Todd Bates that played here in the 2000s?

 

[TerryP]

I trust Saban but I'm not going to just close my eyes and pretend I dont see an issue when I see one. It's my opinion but its one based off of my own eyes and I will HAPPILY admit that I was wrong if Sark proves me wrong. Problem is, I'm pretty confident he is going to prove me right and 2019 will be a wasted season. Especially if his job will also be to "develop the QBs." Can you name a single QB he "developed?"

Well, let's see.

Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, and John David Booty. All three had good careers at USC the latter definitely tempered by their scholarship situation.

Then there's Sanchez, and Jake Locker, and Keith Price (who he worked with the longest—three years. He did a good job with Cody Kessler as well.

There's 12-15 years of Quarterbacks he's coached. And, all of them were good collegiate players.

No. 1, I think you're being a bit silly to suggest that Long ISN'T a downgrade from Locks, no? Though he would be a MASSIVE upgrade over Sark.

If it's a silly idea why was it that Long was targeted before Locks last season?

Say what you will about Long. It's my opinion he did a good job at Notre Dame this past season. He did a good job at Memphis and I liked what he did under Norvell. (That Tigers team paid off more than a few times that season, but that's a different matter.) I don't mind the point he came up under Petrino. We can't deny his offensive skill set.

The point is practically every one of Saban'a hires at Offensive coordinator have been met with "who" or "he's not any good." The one that received the most support, Nuss, is likely the worst we've seen at Bama.

To me, it's a lot easier to sit back and just let it play out. It's certainly time better spent than tearing down each potential candidate with our limited knowledge of the things Saban is looking for.

 

[TUSKtimes]

Good Lawd, please, please, please, someone please address the inside LBers coach and defensive scheme. Coach Kool did a good job with our defensive line. Our DBs were pretty good in coverage even though many were making their first starts. What the hell happened to Mack Wilson and Dylan Moses?

The fastest 5* ILBers with a ton of game experience and we got downright exposed all season. I thought Arkansas showed just how easy it was to take inferior talent and walk the ball down the field with simple junk over the middle. The recipe got repeated with painful success from there on out. We should have dominated if talent was the measuring stick, but it never is once teams learn how to expose your scheme. Wilson and Moses looked lost and our scheme never seemed to solve the puzzle with simple over the middle stuff. Clemson simply did what so many found successful.

 

[UAgrad93]

With this collection of talent, I'd LOVE to call the plays!!! Trust me, I have called plays not knowing if it would even work for 3 yards!

 

[JoshB]

I trust Saban but I'm not going to just close my eyes and pretend I dont see an issue when I see one. It's my opinion but its one based off of my own eyes and I will HAPPILY admit that I was wrong if Sark proves me wrong. Problem is, I'm pretty confident he is going to prove me right and 2019 will be a wasted season. Especially if his job will also be to "develop the QBs." Can you name a single QB he "developed?"

Well, let's see.

Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, and John David Booty. All three had good careers at USC the latter definitely tempered by their scholarship situation.

Then there's Sanchez, and Jake Locker, and Keith Price (who he worked with the longest—three years. He did a good job with Cody Kessler as well.

There's 12-15 years of Quarterbacks he's coached. And, all of them were good collegiate players.

No. 1, I think you're being a bit silly to suggest that Long ISN'T a downgrade from Locks, no? Though he would be a MASSIVE upgrade over Sark.

If it's a silly idea why was it that Long was targeted before Locks last season?

Say what you will about Long. It's my opinion he did a good job at Notre Dame this past season. He did a good job at Memphis and I liked what he did under Norvell. (That Tigers team paid off more than a few times that season, but that's a different matter.) I don't mind the point he came up under Petrino. We can't deny his offensive skill set.

The point is practically every one of Saban'a hires at Offensive coordinator have been met with "who" or "he's not any good." The one that received the most support, Nuss, is likely the worst we've seen at Bama.

To me, it's a lot easier to sit back and just let it play out. It's certainly time better spent than tearing down each potential candidate with our limited knowledge of the things Saban is looking for.

Carson and Leinart are good examples but LMAO at John David Booty. Stop it. Pretty telling that you have two legit examples and both are from 15+ years ago...

Yet Locks was the one that was hired... Dude, even you have to admit that is a pretty lousy point. Hey, Rich Rod was "targeted" before Saban, I guess that means they're equal lmao

I think Long did fine at Notre Dame this year, not great but fine, but I dont really wanna hear about Memphis and I def. dont wanna hear about Petrino or anyone involved in that coaching tree. Even still, I said I would take Long over Sark any day of the week.

Name a single time you've seen either of those reactions ("who" or "hes not any good") from me before now. I haven't done that. I just happen to feel strongly about THIS one.

 

[Tidestalker]

I trust Saban but I'm not going to just close my eyes and pretend I dont see an issue when I see one. It's my opinion but its one based off of my own eyes and I will HAPPILY admit that I was wrong if Sark proves me wrong. Problem is, I'm pretty confident he is going to prove me right and 2019 will be a wasted season. Especially if his job will also be to "develop the QBs." Can you name a single QB he "developed?"

Well, let's see.

Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, and John David Booty. All three had good careers at USC the latter definitely tempered by their scholarship situation.

Then there's Sanchez, and Jake Locker, and Keith Price (who he worked with the longest—three years. He did a good job with Cody Kessler as well.

There's 12-15 years of Quarterbacks he's coached. And, all of them were good collegiate players.

No. 1, I think you're being a bit silly to suggest that Long ISN'T a downgrade from Locks, no? Though he would be a MASSIVE upgrade over Sark.

If it's a silly idea why was it that Long was targeted before Locks last season?

Say what you will about Long. It's my opinion he did a good job at Notre Dame this past season. He did a good job at Memphis and I liked what he did under Norvell. (That Tigers team paid off more than a few times that season, but that's a different matter.) I don't mind the point he came up under Petrino. We can't deny his offensive skill set.

The point is practically every one of Saban'a hires at Offensive coordinator have been met with "who" or "he's not any good." The one that received the most support, Nuss, is likely the worst we've seen at Bama.

To me, it's a lot easier to sit back and just let it play out. It's certainly time better spent than tearing down each potential candidate with our limited knowledge of the things Saban is looking for.

Carson and Leinart are good examples but LMAO at John David Booty. Stop it. Pretty telling that you have two legit examples and both are from 15+ years ago...

Yet Locks was the one that was hired... Dude, even you have to admit that is a pretty lousy point. Hey, Rich Rod was "targeted" before Saban, I guess that means they're equal lmao

I think Long did fine at Notre Dame this year, not great but fine, but I dont really wanna hear about Memphis and I def. dont wanna hear about Petrino or anyone involved in that coaching tree. Even still, I said I would take Long over Sark any day of the week.

Name a single time you've seen either of those reactions ("who" or "hes not any good") from me before now. I haven't done that. I just happen to feel strongly about THIS one.

Who do you want that we can get?

Would like to discuss their background as well...

These assistant coaches are like politicians. Never going to find one that you can support 100%, but there are positives that you hope match up with what you'd like to accomplish. I agree with Terry P's analysis on Sarks QB past.... Can't think of any better one's Saban has put out. Ya feel me?

 

[TerryP]

Fox Sports:



Seattle radio sports personality:

 

[TerryP]

." Can you name a single QB he "developed?"

Carson and Leinart are good examples but LMAO at John David Booty. Stop it. Pretty telling that you have two legit examples and both are from 15+ years ago...

You asked for one. I gave you seven. You've chosen one to point to in terms of development.

484/776 .632 completion percentage for a tad over 5700 yards.
52 TD's / 19 INT's.

That completion percentage would make him a top 20 quarterback this past season. The 29 TD's one season would have as well. His numbers reflect the performance of a top 20 quarterback but I'll grant your wish and stop—the numbers speak for themselves here.

Yet Locks was the one that was hired... Dude, even you have to admit that is a pretty lousy point. Hey, Rich Rod was "targeted" before Saban, I guess that means they're equal lmao

Wow. You're throwing our "silly" and "lousy points" and you're comparing Rich Rod and Saban to this scenario.

The point Saban has pursued him not once, but twice, speaks volumes.

I think Long did fine at Notre Dame this year, not great but fine, but I dont really wanna hear about Memphis and I def. dont wanna hear about Petrino or anyone involved in that coaching tree. Even still, I said I would take Long over Sark any day of the week.

Here's where I'm seeing silly. "I don't want to hear about Memphis" which was his first OC job and he did a hell of a job maintaining what Norvell was running. It was enough to catch the attention of a blue blood and he was hired at Notre Dame. Memphis led to Notre Dame. it's part of who he is...but "you don't want to hear" why he's being considered? Or why he's been good as an offensive coordinator?

You've made it clear how you feel about Petrino: "I will never be sold on anything that involves Petrino "

However, you also posted you didn't think it would be a blowout because of Petrino's offense. And that's the point.

His offense, and a GA studying under him on game planning, is an impressive note on a resume.

Name a single time you've seen either of those reactions ("who" or "hes not any good") from me before now. I haven't done that. I just happen to feel strongly about THIS one.

I'm willing to bet dollars to donuts you didn't know who Mac was when Saban hired him. I didn't.

That said, putting you in the crew of "not any good" was, perhaps, a bit hasty.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

Jim Harbaugh: Josh Gattis will ‘run the whole offense’ at Michigan


“When coach Harbaugh called it kind of caught me off-guard. The funny thing about it, I had just left a meeting with (Alabama coach) Nick Saban getting my butt chewed out for about 20 minutes telling him I was leaving, and he was trying to get me to stay. It did not go over well. If there was a Band-Aid for that bruise it was that phone call (from Harbaugh). It was exciting to hear his voice.”
Winter conditioning began Monday, and Harbaugh said he and Gattis began meeting over the weekend.


Sure appears that both Gattis and Enos wanted to get out of town

 

[TUSKtimes]

Sure appears that both Gattis and Enos wanted to get out of town

Gattis took a job promotion that I doubt was offered to him here. Key does concern me some as far as seeing any coach leave the Capstone for a lateral position. But who knows, maybe he feels that his options at Alabama have leveled off and he wants to try getting things kicked started somewhere else. Enos is just a head scratcher all the way around. When Locksley got his job we had our chance to just go ahead and promote Enos to the future position. Did we slow play him? Call it doing our due diligence, proper vetting technique, or whatever. But here comes Miami, and their due diligence moved at the speed of light. Kinda makes a guy feel wanted, you know?

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

Sure appears that both Gattis and Enos wanted to get out of town

Gattis took a job promotion that I doubt was offered to him here. Key does concern me some as far as seeing any coach leave the Capstone for a lateral position. But who knows, maybe he feels that his options at Alabama have leveled off and he wants to try getting things kicked started somewhere else. Enos is just a head scratcher all the way around. When Locksley got his job we had our chance to just go ahead and promote Enos to the future position. Did we slow play him? Call it doing our due diligence, proper vetting technique, or whatever. But here comes Miami, and their due diligence moved at the speed of light. Kinda makes a guy feel wanted, you know?

I assume the OC position at Bama was never offered to Gattis... I read that Enos said there was some talk of the OC at Bama but he was never offered the position.

 

[TUSKtimes]

I assume the OC position at Bama was never offered to Gattis... I read that Enos said there was some talk of the OC at Bama but he was never offered the position.

If I remember correctly, Locksley went through an extended period last January before becoming the OC. He had a chance to join the Florida State staff before that announcement but was willing to wait out the process. Win some, lose some.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

No way can Nick stop a position coach from taking a OC/DC position elsewhere due to money. Preventing a sideways move I believe he could with the checkbook but only if the coach(or wife family) wanted a raise instead of a change in scenery.

It will be interesting to see how this Tosh saga ends. I had read that it might not end until after NSD with Tosh going to the NFL.

Saw this about Go Blue recruiting one of our current committed recruits.

quote.....
I think so, but Hank said recently that it's hard to read Robinson since he doesn't say much. He visited Bama twice and hasn't taken or planned any visits elsewhere since he committed in June. Saban and Gattis visited him on Dec 10.

However, a 247 Michigan reporter posted a brief article today saying UM staff (I assume Gattis) will visit him this Wed. It also said, "Some reports have surfaced implying that Robinson already signed with Alabama, but I am told those reports are false."

Since the NCAA prohibits other schools from contacting signees and it's likely Gattis would know if he'd secretly signed with Bama, it now appears that he hasn't signed.

 

[Tidexc1]

Brent Key played at Georgia Tech and he was also roommates at UCF with the new Georgia Tech defensive coordinator when they were both coaching down there. So there were several good reasons why he decided to leave other than he just didn't want to work for Saban anymore. I am certainly no insider but I know Andrew Thacker's (new GT DC) dad and sister. Just trying to shed some light on the situation.

 

[TerryP]

I assume the OC position at Bama was never offered to Gattis... I read that Enos said there was some talk of the OC at Bama but he was never offered the position.

If I remember correctly, Locksley went through an extended period last January before becoming the OC. He had a chance to join the Florida State staff before that announcement but was willing to wait out the process. Win some, lose some.

@JoseyWalesTheOutlaw is correct here. The OC job was never offered to Gattis and it wasn't going to be offered to him. Enos is a slightly different story.

@TUSKtimes is spot on here as well. There was a time where Saban was still talking to prospective OC's last season—including one Chip Long among others.

 

[TerryP]

“When coach Harbaugh called it kind of caught me off-guard. The funny thing about it, I had just left a meeting with (Alabama coach) Nick Saban getting my butt chewed out for about 20 minutes telling him I was leaving, and he was trying to get me to stay. It did not go over well. If there was a Band-Aid for that bruise it was that phone call (from Harbaugh). It was exciting to hear his voice.”

Just so we're perfectly clear here and this is second hand info coming from someone who personally spoke with Gattis.

Before that, let me ask you a question of sorts. If your child tells you a lie to you address them on it? Do you "call them out?" Okay, I'm sure 99.9%, if not more, have said yes. Third question. If an adult lies to you, "do you call them out?" I do and appreciate others who do as well.

That said...

CJG told people under no uncertain terms, and this was before the early signing day, that he was staying at Bama and wouldn't be taking the OC job at Maryland. He wanted to be the OC at Bama, but like a lot of people he felt Enos would get the nod before he would. And, he was right. Gattis was never going to get the OC job.

The point here is he said he was staying. He went on to mention how he felt working with Saban would help him develop and Saban would also help him get in the head coaching ranks (and this is a quote) "when the time is right."

Then he accepts the position at Maryland. Then he accepts his second job offer at Michigan.

Now we're looking at the aftermath.

For what it's worth, if I were in your shoes, I'd look at the track record of reporting in Michigan when it comes to football.

The funny thing to me is this. It's my opinion that one more blow out by Ohio State and ol' Harbaugh is looking for a job himself (if he doesn't cut and run.) And, a first year head coach being the one that coaches the Buckeyes to that win?

On a personal note, if I were in Saban's shoes I wouldn't have any issues with a coach leaving for a promotion. In essence, the move to Maryland would be just that—a move up the career ladder. As a closing thought, if you don't like your "ass being chewed out," don't lie to your boss.

 

[TerryP]

Brent Key played at Georgia Tech and he was also roommates at UCF with the new Georgia Tech defensive coordinator when they were both coaching down there. So there were several good reasons why he decided to leave other than he just didn't want to work for Saban anymore. I am certainly no insider but I know Andrew Thacker's (new GT DC) dad and sister. Just trying to shed some light on the situation.

It's my understanding he was leaving as it was. How long that's been in place I don't know but I first heard of it the first week of December (as I recall, may have been the second week.)

In a sense it's comparable to Tee Martin taking the job at UT. He was looked at by a few SEC programs; Alabama and Auburn being two of them. But, he chose to "go home."

 

[TerryP]

Worst jobs I've ever had was having a boss that the doctors glued ears on when they where born.

Two years ago the company hired a younger fellow from the NE. I want to say he'd been in the "real world" about a year. One of his first moves was trying to change my schedule on Saturday's. PIssed me off because I suspected it was a "power move" attempt and it was Saturday's for god's sake.

I stewed on it for a few days and then realized I could use my personal days and take a few Saturday off. I didn't realize I could, literally, take a personal day every Saturday throughout the season. His tune changed when I walked into his office and put in for my personal days. They just happened to be every Saturday...

 

[TerryP]

I assume the OC position at Bama was never offered to Gattis... I read that Enos said there was some talk of the OC at Bama but he was never offered the position.

There certainly was some serious discussion about him taking the OC role. But, what he felt he was worth (money wise) didn't match with what Saban felt. And, more importantly, he wanted autonomy in hiring the offensive line coach and others.

It's not uncommon for assistant coaches wanting a degree of power, or a title to match. It's also not uncommon for a coach to have a higher opinion of himself than is warranted. Now, to tell Saban "I'll work with you but only under my conditions?" The chances of that happening, even though it has in the past to a degree, are slim.

 

[TerryP]

Let's remember there's still going to be changes on the defensive side of the ball.

There needs to be one of two things. Either replacing coaches or giving them more time to learn the system. If there was one Achilles heel this season for the defense it was communication.

On that same note it's an example of just how good Pruitt was in his role—especially making adjustments and calls "on the fly."