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By Alex Byington Sports
TUSCALOOSA — Brian Daboll isn't the only new addition to Alabama’s offensive coaching staff.
Along with longtime NFL assistant Daboll as the Crimson Tide’s new offensive coordinator, head coach Nick Saban has brought in veteran coaches Chris Weinke and Dan Werner to serve as offensive analysts.
“I think those two guys, having coached in high school and college, certainly helps a guy that coached in the NFL be able to balance some of the things that will help us to have a well-rounded, pro-style offense that has the college elements that you need to take advantage of some of the college rules,” Saban said Tuesday.
Werner, 58, spent the last five years as Ole Miss’ offensive coordinator. The Rebels' offense ranked at or near the top of the SEC the past two seasons, including averaging 40.8 points and 517.8 total yards per game in 2015. Werner's offenses were pivotal to Ole Miss' wins over the Tide in 2014 and 2015.
“Do I need to tell our fans or anybody on our staff the issues that we’ve had with their offense the last couple of years?” Saban said. “I always had a tremendous amount of respect for what they do, how they coach.”
Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze fired Werner in December during an offseason shakeup.
“His leadership and experience were invaluable in the development of our quarterbacks,” Freeze said at the time. “These are always very difficult decisions, but at this time, I believe it is best for our program to have a fresh approach.”
Weinke, 44, is a former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback at Florida State who spent seven seasons (2001-07) in the NFL as a backup before a five-year stint (2010-14) as the director and head football coach at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
Over the past two years, Weinke served as quarterbacks coach with the St. Louis Rams.
“We’ve always had a lot of respect for Chris Weinke. The guy was a great player, played a long time in the league,” Saban said. “He’s very knowledgeable and smart … so we just thought he’d bring some knowledge and experience and would certainly be helpful to us off the field, helping us with (our) game plans.”
Weinke and Werner join six other analysts on Alabama’s staff and fill positions previously held last year by new receivers coach Mike Locksley and Steve Sarkisian.
This offseason, Locksley was promoted to co-offensive coordinator/receivers coach after one year as an analyst. Sarkisian left the staff to become the Atlanta Falcons’ offensive coordinator.
Also known as “quality control coaches,” analysts have strictly off-the-field responsibilities and aren’t permitted to coach or recruit players.
Saban has employed eight analysts each of the past four seasons, with most of those spots filled by younger, up-and-coming coaches or former high school coaches looking to break into the college ranks. Because of that, analysts generally receive salaries in the $45,000 per year range — well below the going rate for an experienced assistant coach.
But over the last several seasons, Alabama has used the analyst distinction to bring in experienced coaches who could provide insight or add a unique dimension to the staff.
“We learn a tremendous amount from all those guys. I think that’s the No. 1 thing,” Saban said, “and I think their knowledge and experience (is a big boost), and they’re very well respected.”
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Along with longtime NFL assistant Daboll as the Crimson Tide’s new offensive coordinator, head coach Nick Saban has brought in veteran coaches Chris Weinke and Dan Werner to serve as offensive analysts.
“I think those two guys, having coached in high school and college, certainly helps a guy that coached in the NFL be able to balance some of the things that will help us to have a well-rounded, pro-style offense that has the college elements that you need to take advantage of some of the college rules,” Saban said Tuesday.
Werner, 58, spent the last five years as Ole Miss’ offensive coordinator. The Rebels' offense ranked at or near the top of the SEC the past two seasons, including averaging 40.8 points and 517.8 total yards per game in 2015. Werner's offenses were pivotal to Ole Miss' wins over the Tide in 2014 and 2015.
“Do I need to tell our fans or anybody on our staff the issues that we’ve had with their offense the last couple of years?” Saban said. “I always had a tremendous amount of respect for what they do, how they coach.”
Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze fired Werner in December during an offseason shakeup.
“His leadership and experience were invaluable in the development of our quarterbacks,” Freeze said at the time. “These are always very difficult decisions, but at this time, I believe it is best for our program to have a fresh approach.”
Weinke, 44, is a former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback at Florida State who spent seven seasons (2001-07) in the NFL as a backup before a five-year stint (2010-14) as the director and head football coach at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
Over the past two years, Weinke served as quarterbacks coach with the St. Louis Rams.
“We’ve always had a lot of respect for Chris Weinke. The guy was a great player, played a long time in the league,” Saban said. “He’s very knowledgeable and smart … so we just thought he’d bring some knowledge and experience and would certainly be helpful to us off the field, helping us with (our) game plans.”
Weinke and Werner join six other analysts on Alabama’s staff and fill positions previously held last year by new receivers coach Mike Locksley and Steve Sarkisian.
This offseason, Locksley was promoted to co-offensive coordinator/receivers coach after one year as an analyst. Sarkisian left the staff to become the Atlanta Falcons’ offensive coordinator.
Also known as “quality control coaches,” analysts have strictly off-the-field responsibilities and aren’t permitted to coach or recruit players.
Saban has employed eight analysts each of the past four seasons, with most of those spots filled by younger, up-and-coming coaches or former high school coaches looking to break into the college ranks. Because of that, analysts generally receive salaries in the $45,000 per year range — well below the going rate for an experienced assistant coach.
But over the last several seasons, Alabama has used the analyst distinction to bring in experienced coaches who could provide insight or add a unique dimension to the staff.
“We learn a tremendous amount from all those guys. I think that’s the No. 1 thing,” Saban said, “and I think their knowledge and experience (is a big boost), and they’re very well respected.”
Decatur Daily—Continue reading...
