Alabama Football: 5 Reasons Alabama May Not Win the 2018 Championship
By Ronald Moody
2. Coaching Staff Does Not Mesh
Nick Saban has new offensive coordinators in Mike Locksley and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi. Locksley takes the reins from Brian Daboll, who stayed in Tuscaloosa one year before bolting to the Buffalo Bills. Lupoi replaces Jeremy Pruitt, who is now the Tennessee Volunteers head coach. Tosh was the co-defensive coordinator the past season, but this will be his first season as the primary coordinator. Former UTSA defensive coordinator Pete Golding joins the staff as Co-DC and coaching possibly, the best duo of inside linebackers in college football.
Defensive line coach Karl Dunbar returned to the NFL and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Enter esteemed Craig Kuligowski from the University of Miami. Add in wide receivers coach Josh Gattis, defensive back coach Karl Scott and special teams coach Jeff Banks. In all, six new assistants for Saban.
Pannunzio, Locksley, and Lupoi were with the team last season but moved to different coaching positions during the offseason. Offensive line coach Brent Key is the only coach who stayed with his original position group.
This group of coaches provides more energy, enthusiasm and recruiting prowess. The coaches have killed it in recruiting so far as the Tide currently sits atop the 2019 recruiting rankings as number one.
How well this unit jells on the field will determine how well this team plays in their run for another national championship.