Alabama Football: Trust The Process, Control Today, Forget Tomorrow
By Ronald Moody
Battling Human Nature
The process sent Brent Key, Josh Gattis, Dan Enos, and Tosh Lupoi packing and seeking greener pastures elsewhere. The process led retread, dismissed Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian back to Tuscaloosa. Newly employed offensive line coach, formerly of Rutgers and Atlanta, Kyle Flood is another rehabilitation project for Saban.
Former Tennessee head coach and Champion of Life Butch Jones gave new Maryland head coach Mike Locksley the Derrick Henry stiff arm for more time picking Saban’s brain so he can reinvent himself in the coach’s pristine, gallant image.
Alabama reshuffled in 2018 with two new coordinators and six new position coaches. It looks like more of the same for 2019. This reboot feels electrifying, yet different, kind of like the cinematic Spider-Man series. First, Tobey Maguire was terrific as the webbed, teenaged superhero. Next, Andrew Garfield was meh. The latest reboot with Tom Holland’s performance is quite mesmerizing.
Both coordinators have departed, Lupoi to the upstart Cleveland Browns, and Locksley to the Terps.
Does Saban roll with mentoring another youthful future head coach in Golding or does he seek a seasoned veteran like Dave Aranda or Kevin Steele?
ESPN reports that Pete Golding will take over as primary defensive coordinator. The young coach did a magnificent job as the primary play-caller at UTSA leading a nationally seventh-ranked defense at a Conference USA school. Nevertheless, this is the SEC. AL.com reports Saban stripped Lupoi of defensive play-calling responsibilities midseason and handed them over to co-defensive coordinator Pete Golding, according to sources. After the miserable defensive performance against Clemson, Golding could use another Master Class from Saban before turning into a gamechanger.