Alabama football may not experience much assistant coaching turnover with Pete Golding walking away from other opportunities.
Alabama football, offensive coordinator Mike Locksley may be the only current Crimson Tide assistant to leave Tuscaloosa this season. On Tuesday, Locks was named the Broyles Award winner, designated for college football’s top assistant coach. On Wednesday, most CFB experts and Crimson Tide insiders believe Locksley will accept the head coaching position at Maryland.
Locksley will be a big loss, as a coach and as a recruiter. But if he is the only change on the Alabama football staff, it will be a minimal transition for the Crimson Tide. Insiders believe Dan Enos would be quickly promoted from quarterbacks coach to OC, with Alabama football not skipping a beat. Of course, Nick Saban is known for coaching surprises, and nothing can be assured until Nick makes a decision.
There was good news for Crimson Tide fans on Tuesday when it was learned co-DC, Pete Golding had turned down a wad of money to become the defensive coordinator at Ole Miss. Golding is one of several rising stars on Saban’s staff. He is valued as a very good coach and a superb recruiter.
The other rumor about Golding has been he would leave the Tide to become the next DC at Oklahoma. Apparently, that idea is also not moving forward. Alabama football fans, before resting too easy about Golding, some Sooners believe discussions are just on hold until after the Playoffs. Tuscaloosa insiders believe Golding is not going anywhere.
There was a lot of coaching drama beyond Tuscaloosa on Tuesday. Urban Meyer quit again, once more leaving a program damaged by his tenure. Urban was typically wishy-washy on the prospect of ever coaching again.
Are you kidding me?
In the “are you kidding me category,” Hugh Freeze may become the next head coach of Liberty University. Liberty, under the leadership of Jerry Falwell Jr., is a school priding itself in providing an education through
"(a) solid Christian foundation … (where students) gain the values, knowledge, and skills you’ll need for success in every aspect of life."
Apparently, the Flames believe the Reverend Freeze would be an asset, not inconsistent with the values of the institution.
Nobody does it like Auburn
There is widespread belief Gus Malzahn agreed to a reduced buyout to keep his job for another season. Only it appears, according to footballscoop.com, that Gus’ job is still not secure. It could be that a few powerful Aubies are content to fund the buyout if the Tigers can obtain the services of a top coach.
A few days ago, it was rumored that top coach could be Bob Stoops. Stoops denied having any conversations with, or any interest in, Auburn University.
What will happen next?
There are no answers, but here is a good question. What about Freeze on the Plains? It is hard to believe they have not talked to him. If the SEC allows it and if the big dollar guys would also ante up for The Reverend, it could be a marriage made … consistent with the delusional grandeur that permeates the Plains.
We cannot wrap this up without mentioning the rumor Nick Saban will take the Green Bay job after the Playoffs. That is not the most outlandish claim of the coaching, silly season. That honor goes to be the rumor the Cleveland Browns were considering Condoleezza Rice as head coach.