Bill O’Brien has been employed as offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots, in accordance with a number of studies, after two years as Alabama football’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He was additionally listed on the Patriots’ employees for the East-West Shrine Bowl.
The Crimson Tide must rent its third offensive coordinator in 5 seasons. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian served because the Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator in 2019 and 2020.
As for the following offensive coordinator, 4 of the final 5 — O’Brien, Sarkisian, Mike Locksley and Lane Kiffin — have used the Alabama job as a rebound. Also, three of the previous 4 had most lately coached within the NFL.
With these patterns in thoughts, listed below are some candidates who might make sense for coach Nick Saban to rent as his subsequent offensive coordinator.
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Jason Garrett, former New York Giants offensive coordinator/Dallas Cowboys coach
Garrett had by no means coached earlier than when Saban determined to rent him as his quarterbacks coach with the Miami Dolphins.
While on the Senior Bowl one yr, Saban saved listening to that he wanted to speak with Garrett, who served as Troy Aikman’s backup in Dallas. So Saban mentioned. And he employed Garrett.
After working for Saban, Garrett went on to grow to be offensive coordinator for the Cowboys in 2007 earlier than turning into head coach in 2011. Most lately, Garrett was offensive coordinator of the New York Giants earlier than being fired in 2021.
“If I made one mistake as a professional coach it was, after one yr, he ought to have been made offensive coordinator,” Saban mentioned eight years in the past. “He was that good. That good. Players responded to him that effectively.”
Right now, Garrett is an analyst for NBC Sports, but when he desires to get again into teaching, Alabama could possibly be a superb match.
Jeff Lebby, Oklahoma offensive coordinator
Lebby is an intriguing choice. He labored beneath Lane Kiffin for 2 years at Ole Miss, and through that point, the Rebels completed No. 3 and no. 6 in yards per recreation nationally. Ole Miss was additionally within the high 25 annually for factors per recreation.
In his lone yr with the Sooners this previous yr, Lebby coordinated an offense that completed No. 33 in factors per recreation and No. 13 in yards per recreation.
He was additionally the offensive coordinator at UCF in 2019 earlier than arriving in Oxford.
He performed for Oklahoma in faculty, so it may be troublesome to pry him away, however an opportunity to coordinate Alabama’s offense in a return to the SEC might entice Lebby.
Kliff Kingsbury, former Arizona Cardinals/Texas Tech coach
He matches proper within the mildew of a fired former NFL/faculty coach, like O’Brien.
The Cardinals let Kingsbury go in January after 4 seasons. Before that, Kingsbury coached Texas Tech from 2013-18. Plus, Kingsbury has connections with Bill Belichick: the Patriots chosen him within the sixth spherical of the 2003 NFL Draft. Patriots connections (see O’Brien and Brian Daboll) are inclined to assist in the eyes of Saban.
Kingsbury is an skilled play-caller who has SEC expertise. Specifically, he was Texas A&M’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2012, serving as Johnny Manziel’s coach when the quarterback gained the Heisman Trophy as a freshman. That staff additionally beat Alabama 29-24 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
One thing more on Kingsbury’s resume that’s positive to register with recruits: He coached Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in faculty.
Nick Caley, New England Patriots tight ends coach
He’s by no means been an offensive coordinator earlier than, however he might make sense.
Caley has been an offensive assistant beneath Belichick for a number of years. Caley has coached the tight ends since 2017 and was one title many thought might succeed Josh McDaniels as Patriots offensive coordinator this previous offseason.
Belichick determined to offer offensive coordinator duties to Matt Patricia/Joe Judge this season as an alternative of Caley, however Sports Illustrated reported Belichick did not know if Caley was going to be in New England previous 2022 when Caley’s contract expires, and Belichick did not need to must undergo the method of changing him in 2023 if Caley was offensive coordinator.
The relationship between Saban and Belichick has been well-documented. If the Patriots coach really helpful Caley to Saban, the Alabama coach would certainly check out him.
It would not be the primary time Alabama employed somebody in Caley’s place. Brian Daboll was additionally the Patriots’ tight finish coach earlier than he took the Alabama offensive coordinator job. After teaching Alabama within the 2017 season, Daboll went on to grow to be the Buffalo Bills OC after which coach of the New York Giants this season.
Caley and Daboll differ in that Daboll had been an offensive coordinator for 3 NFL groups earlier than his three seasons as tight ends coach for Belichick. Caley, who turns 40 in January, doesn’t but have coordinator expertise at any stage.
Nevertheless, maybe Belichick believes in Caley’s potential and recommends him to Saban.
Freddie Kitchens, South Carolina senior analyst/former Cleveland Browns coach
He’s a former UA quarterback who gained Mr. Football whereas at Etowah High School in 1992, however Kitchens’ {qualifications} stem previous his Alabama roots.
Kitchens has NFL coordinator expertise for the Browns in addition to the Giants in 2021 when he stepped in on an interim foundation after Garrett was fired. He additionally served as coach of the Browns in 2019 earlier than he was fired after one yr.
Kitchens has additionally labored for the Cardinals (working backs and tight ends), Cowboys (tight ends) in addition to Mississippi State (tight ends) and North Texas (working backs). But a cease that’s most notable is the place he labored in 2000.
Kitchens was a graduate assistant on Saban’s employees at LSU.
Saban additionally spoke extremely of Kitchens after the previous quarterback was named coach of the Cleveland Browns in 2019.
“I feel Freddie has acquired an incredible form of psychological disposition of what it takes to achieve success as a coach,” Saban mentioned on NFL Network. “He is aware of how vital it’s to be educated, as a result of that data is what helps you create good relationships and belief together with your gamers. He’s been round some nice individuals. Bill Parcells. Some actually, actually good individuals he is discovered from. He’s acquired nice widespread sense. He’s very vibrant. Very clever. He understands human conduct extraordinarily effectively.
“They’ve acquired some good younger gamers, and I feel Freddie will do an impressive job with these guys.”
During the 2022 season, Kitchens was a senior football analyst for South Carolina.
Greg Roman, former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator
Roman solely has a short stint in faculty teaching because the Stanford tight ends and offensive tackles coach greater than a decade in the past, however his NFL resume is lots spectacular. He could possibly be in line for a training rehab working beneath Saban.
Roman was fired lately after working Baltimore’s offense since 2019. He was named the AP NFL assistant coach of the yr in 2019. That similar yr, his work with quarterback Lamar Jackson resulted in Jackson successful the NFL most useful participant in solely his second yr within the NFL.
That could possibly be fairly attractive to recruits if Roman has curiosity in teaching on the faculty stage, however it will probably embrace a shift in offense as Roman is thought for his run-heavy scheme.
Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills QB coach
He’s one other younger choice at 33, however he is an intriguing one nonetheless.
He was the passing coordinator for LSU when the Tigers beat Alabama in 2019 and he gained the Broyles award, given to the nation’s high assistant coach. Brady went on to grow to be offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers for 2 seasons. Now, he’s the quarterbacks coach for Josh Allen this yr.
Brady additionally might carry new concepts, has familiarity with the SEC and has NFL expertise on the resume. That all makes him value calling for the Alabama offensive coordinator opening.
Contact Alabama reporter Nick Kelly at nkelly@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter: @_NickKelly.