Alabama Football: New coaching name for Tide offensive staff
By Ronald Evans
Alabama football has an assistant coach opening Nick Saban appears to be in no hurry to fill. The latest name rumored is Dan Enos, former Offensive Coordinator at Arkansas and currently receivers coach at Michigan.
Alabama football coach Nick Saban has a plan he will share when he is ready and not a day sooner. He made that clear talking to reporters Wednesday at the Senior Bowl. There is widespread assumption Saban will promote Mike Locksley to Offensive Coordinator. The school has made no formal announcement.
Saban has four new assistant coaches in Pete Golding, Jeff Banks, Karl Scott and Josh Gattis. Only Golding and Banks have been officially announced by the University. Alabama football fans expect, still to be announced new hire, Josh Gattis will be named Co-OC with Locksley. In this scenario, the remaining staff opening has been expected to be filled by Hugh Freeze or Chris Weinke.
On Wednesday, Dan Enos was rumored to be in the mix, casting doubt on either Freeze or Weinke becoming an on-field coach. Saban has reportedly considered Enos for assistant coach positions multiple times in the past.
Nick Saban and Enos know each other from Michigan State
Saban and Enos have a connection going back to Michigan State. Enos was a freshman QB in 1987 when Saban was a Spartans’ assistant. Enos is currently the wide receivers coach at Michigan. In 2015-2017, Enos was the Offensive Coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Bret Bielema at Arkansas. He also spent five seasons as head coach at Central Michigan.
Speaking of Dan Enos and his Arkansas offense, Saban said,
"Their offense is difficult to defend. Good combination of runs and play-action passes. Good drop-back game. They’ve done a really good job with the players that they have, and I think that’s always a great indication of a good coach."
Enos is also credited with maximizing the talents of two Arkansas quarterbacks, the Allen brothers, Austin and Brandon. Bret Bielema’s Arkansas offenses were productive under Enos’ direction. The Hogs averaged over 400 yards per game in 2015 and 2016. The problem for Bielema was defense, particularly pass defense.
Enos’ recent contract with Michigan pays him only $150,000. Arkansas still owes Enos $2.25 million, an amount reduced by future coaching employment. Since his total income would not be increased by an Alabama football offer, his potential title as a Tide assistant becomes more important.
Is Nick Saban considering having two Co-OC’s work with Mike Locksley? Josh Gattis and Dan Enos might fit into such a plan. Where that leaves current offensive analyst Chris Weinke and Hugh Freeze in Nick’s 2018 plans is not known.
Next: The Crimson Tide and Decade Dominance
Past rumors of Alabama football assistants, Burton Burns and Karl Dunbar leaving the Tide have subsided. If Burns were to decide to retire and Dunbar return to the NFL, it would not happen until 2018 recruiting is complete.