FAIRHOPE | Nearly three weeks after last answering questions from reporters during the postgame press conference following the Sugar Bowl, University of Alabama head coach Nick Saban delved into a variety of topics during his five-and-a-half minute media session Tuesday afternoon at the opening day of practice for the Senior Bowl.
Chief among the topics was Lane Kiffin and whether the conspicuous first-year offensive coordinator would make it into year two with the Crimson Tide. A report surfaced from ESPN NFL reporter Adam Scheffer last Sunday that Kiffin was a "front-runner" for the currently vacant San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator position. On Tuesday Saban was noncommittal about whether Kiffin would be his offensive coordinator in 2015.
"I can't say that right now," Saban said. "I know Lane is committed to us right now and he's doing the best he can to help us recruit and do the things that we need to do to have a better team next year. We're hopeful that that will continue."
Alabama is already down two defensive assistant coaches with inside linebackers coach Kevin Steele leaving for LSU as defensive coordinator and Lance Thompson now at Auburn as the Tigers' linebackers coach.
Saban has a jam-packed schedule from the next two weeks until national signing day on Feb. 4, leaving no time to fill coaching vacancies, he said.
"We don't really have time to spend a lot of time interviewing people now when you're out recruiting, so when we can do the due diligence that we need to do to do it that's when we'll make a decision about it," Saban said. Whether Kiffin leaves or not, Saban said he's always supportive of one of his coaches receiving a promotion elsewhere.
"I think all of our coaches at this time of the year have opportunities," Saban said. "I think guys work hard so that they can get opportunities. And if there are better opportunities that serve them better professionally, you know, we're very supportive."
Thompson's move to Auburn was a lateral one, and as The Tuscaloosa News previously reported, Thompson was told to seek opportunities elsewhere. When asked specifically about his feelings on Thompson landing at the cross-state rival, Saban answered diplomatically.
"Well you know, we've had several opportunities and given Lance several opportunities through the years and this same circumstance has occurred several times before," Saban said. "I can't really tell you why coaches do what they do, and I think the best thing you can do is ask him, not me.
"We'll do the best we can to find the best replacement for him. The guy did a good job for us when he was with us and we wish him well. We've always wished him well and we'll continue to try to have the best program that we can have for our players and get the best teachers and coaches for our players."
- See more at: https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1727488#sthash.XAUMBrdz.dpuf
Chief among the topics was Lane Kiffin and whether the conspicuous first-year offensive coordinator would make it into year two with the Crimson Tide. A report surfaced from ESPN NFL reporter Adam Scheffer last Sunday that Kiffin was a "front-runner" for the currently vacant San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator position. On Tuesday Saban was noncommittal about whether Kiffin would be his offensive coordinator in 2015.
"I can't say that right now," Saban said. "I know Lane is committed to us right now and he's doing the best he can to help us recruit and do the things that we need to do to have a better team next year. We're hopeful that that will continue."
Alabama is already down two defensive assistant coaches with inside linebackers coach Kevin Steele leaving for LSU as defensive coordinator and Lance Thompson now at Auburn as the Tigers' linebackers coach.
Saban has a jam-packed schedule from the next two weeks until national signing day on Feb. 4, leaving no time to fill coaching vacancies, he said.
"We don't really have time to spend a lot of time interviewing people now when you're out recruiting, so when we can do the due diligence that we need to do to do it that's when we'll make a decision about it," Saban said. Whether Kiffin leaves or not, Saban said he's always supportive of one of his coaches receiving a promotion elsewhere.
"I think all of our coaches at this time of the year have opportunities," Saban said. "I think guys work hard so that they can get opportunities. And if there are better opportunities that serve them better professionally, you know, we're very supportive."
Thompson's move to Auburn was a lateral one, and as The Tuscaloosa News previously reported, Thompson was told to seek opportunities elsewhere. When asked specifically about his feelings on Thompson landing at the cross-state rival, Saban answered diplomatically.
"Well you know, we've had several opportunities and given Lance several opportunities through the years and this same circumstance has occurred several times before," Saban said. "I can't really tell you why coaches do what they do, and I think the best thing you can do is ask him, not me.
"We'll do the best we can to find the best replacement for him. The guy did a good job for us when he was with us and we wish him well. We've always wished him well and we'll continue to try to have the best program that we can have for our players and get the best teachers and coaches for our players."
- See more at: https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1727488#sthash.XAUMBrdz.dpuf
