Alabama Football: Nick Saban’s bold coaching moves and counter moves

Another Alabama football offseason with a coaching staff rebuild as Nick Saban dials up change in a situation he cannot fully control.

We Alabama football fans want to ascribe godlike qualities to Nick Saban. But he is neither all-seeing or all-knowing. In a second straight offseason, Saban is faced with a rebuild of the Alabama football staff. Nick will pull most of the strings, but even he will have to respond to surprises.

Last year, it was less than a No. 1 recruiting class that drove coaching changes. This year, it is Saban’s displeasure with how components of his Alabama football team finished the season. Such displeasure is rightfully directed on the Crimson Tide coaching staff.

Change is needed and Nick Saban will be bold. Not all the changes will result from Saban decisions. In some cases, like the move of Mike Locksley to Maryland, Nick is forced to react. Locksley’s replacement was expected to be Dan Enos. Suddenly Enos is going to Miami. A few insiders believe Saban had not made up his mind to promote Enos. Enos was under consideration and apparently was also helping Nick interview for other offensive openings. Also apparently, Enos decided not to wait.

Josh Gattis had already decided to leave for OC chances he would not immediately get in Tuscaloosa. It is doubtful Nick Saban was surprised by the Gattis exit. But, Nick may have been surprised by the suddenness of the Enos departure.

Brent Key had already left for Georgia Tech, so along with Locksley, Gattis and Enos, Nick Saban needs an almost totally new offensive staff. Throw in the possibility of a new defensive coordinator and even a defensive line coach and the names of potential new hires are more than twenty coaches.

Saban will follow his own timeline, and at least on the offensive side, final 2019 recruiting decisions are not likely to be affected.

A couple of big names stand out. Notre Dame OC, Chip Long is one. LSU DC, Dave Aranda is another. Long was in the mix before Locksley was promoted but reportedly was not willing to have a co-OC on staff. Long has deep Alabama connections and has described coaching Alabama football as a dream job.

Aranda has a fully guaranteed $10M deal in Baton Rouge. Many Alabama football fans believe paying both men whatever it would take is a sound move.

What Nick Saban and Alabama football do not need is another revolving door after the 2019 season. There is value in continuity. It paid off handsomely for Clemson on Monday night.

All of us Alabama football fans should rest easy, knowing Nick Saban will make good decisions. He and Alabama football will always have good options to choose from.