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Alabama Football: Saban adds another dynamic young coach, Josh Gattis

By Ronald Evans

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin reacts on the sideline during the first half against the USC Trojans during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin reacts on the sideline during the first half against the USC Trojans during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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Nick Saban is on a roll. Only days after an Alabama football national championship, Saban has hired his fourth new assistant coach, Josh Gattis from Penn State.

Alabama football rolls on with new championships and Nick Saban is re-tooling his staff with young guns. The most recent hire as reported by footballscoop.com is Penn State assistant coach Josh Gattis.

Over the past month. Saban has added four assistant coaches, all in their thirties: Pete Golding, Jeff Banks; Karl Scott and Josh Gattis. Gattis was the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach for James Franklin at Penn State. Josh Gattis had coached with Franklin for six seasons, four with the Nittany Lions and two seasons at Vanderbilt. Gattis also previously coached at Western Michigan.

Football Scoop said Gattis will be Co-OC and wide receivers coach for Alabama football. That is the same title Mike Locksley held before his promotion to OC. Gattis has a solid coaching reputation and an outstanding record as a recruiter. Two years ago, Gattis won an award as the Big Ten ‘Recruiter of the Year.’ SI.com reported

"In the past seven seasons, the 34-year-old Gattis has produced seven all-conference receivers and three All-Americans."

SEC football fans know about Gattis’ work even if they do not recognize his name. At Vanderbilt, Gattis coached Jordan Matthews to two All-American seasons. Matthews ended his college career as the SEC leaders in career receptions and receiving yards, and a single-season record of 107 catches.

Josh Gattis played safety at Wake Forest. He also spent two seasons in the NFL with the Chicago Bears.

What does the hire mean for the 2018 Offense?

The Gattis hire indicates the direction of two recent concerns from Alabama football fans. With the Locksley promotion and hiring of Josh Gattis, it is unlikely Hugh Freeze will have an on-field coaching position for the Tide. The Alabama football staff has one more current opening and it could go to Freeze but more likely his position will be as an offensive analyst.

The other and arguably bigger concern is what direction will the offense take under Mike Locksley. The Gattis hire strongly suggests Nick Saban wants the 2018 offense to take full advantage of Tua’s arm and an immensely talented group of young receivers.

Will Saban’s 2018 staff be complete once the one remaining opening is filled? It is too early for an answer. There are still rumors circulating that Burton Burns wants to retire and Karl Dunbar wants to return to the NFL. Alabama football fans hope neither rumor is true.

Next: 2018 Signing Class, final player rankings

James Franklin cannot be happy in Happy Valley. Losing his top recruiter and a respected assistant must hurt. Will James be heard referring to Nick as ‘Nicky Satan’ again?

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