Alabama Football: A ‘Long’-shot missed and ‘Locks’ became a lock as OC

Twice Nick Saban considered Mike Locksley for Offensive Coordinator and chose others. In finally handing the Alabama football offense to Locksley, Saban opted for stability.

Making Mike Locksley the Alabama football Offensive Coordinator does not create flash or sizzle. But it does bring stability.  That is fine with Nick Saban and it should be enough for Alabama football fans.

What must be remembered is that even in the Lane Kiffin situation, Saban does not hire OC’s to bring their offense to Tuscaloosa. Nick hires them to make his offense run best. Alabama football offense under Nick Saban will always strive to be balanced between the run and the pass. It will always place a premium on not turning the ball over. Saban has often spoken of his comfort with every offensive possession ending with a kick.

Many insiders believe Saban was surprised by Brian Daboll’s decision to return to the NFL. That does not mean Nick didn’t already have a list of names as replacements. Reports are he talked to Jim McElwain and Hugh Freeze, measuring interest for sure, but also likely getting advice.

While there will be no confirmations coming out of Tuscaloosa, Chip Long appears to have been Nick’s first choice. Long is the young OC at Notre Dame and a rising star in college football. The Long deal fizzled, apparently because Long pushed for too much. There were reports he wanted to choose the O-Line coach as well as being the sole OC. Both were unacceptable to Saban. Saban wanted to keep Mike Locksley and was never going to take the Co-OC title away from him.

Saban chose ‘Locks’ for stability

So Saban chose ‘Locks.’ The decision will be popular among the players. Saban holds on to one of his top recruiters. Essentially, Nick gains staff and program stability. Considering the Kiffin, Sarkisian, Daboll saga, stability is appealing.

The decision to hire Locksley also brings questions and a degree of doubt. Mike Locksley’s career has been filled with ups and downs. His head coach job at New Mexico and interim head coach stint at Maryland both ended in failure. He has been an OC twice before at Illinois and Maryland. Other than 2008 at Illinois and 2013 at Maryland, his offenses have been average or worse.

Can the dynamic, second half offense from the national championship game flourish with Locksley at the controls? Doubts will linger. Will Saban name another coach as a QB assistant? ESPN’s Chris Lowe reported Locksley will the OC and QB coach. Where will Hugh Freeze and Chris Weinke fit into offensive staff plans?

Alabama football fans should calmly await learning more. For now, recruiting on the offensive side has been bolstered by the Locksley decision.

Next: Initial 2018 Signing Class

Three top offensive players for 2018 are being recruited by Mike Locksley: Nicholas Petit-Frere (OT); Jaylen Waddle (WR); and Jacob Copeland (WR). Petit-Frere visits Tuscaloosa this weekend, Copeland comes to T-Town on the 26th. Waddle has already taken all his official visits.