Alabama Football: Crimson Tide fans turning cold shoulder on Coordinator options

Some Alabama Football fans are ready to post some ‘Do Not Enter’ signs coming into Tuscaloosa. Some options being mentioned for Defensive Coordinator and Offensive Coordinator are drawing ire from some Tide fans.

There is a problem in posting the sign with one potential candidate. He is already in Tuscaloosa. Traditionally, a coach with lots of experience would have an advantage. In Todd Grantham’s case, it works against him. Since 2010, Grantham has been the Defensive Coordinator or Co-DC at Georgia, Louisville, Mississippi State and Florida. Once considered a top defensive coach, in Starkville and again in Gainesville, Grantham’s schemes and play-calling were labeled outdated. He came to Tuscaloosa in 2022, as many had come before him, needing to rehab his career.

If Nick Saban were to name Grantham DC, some Tide fans would demand Pete Golding be hired back – immediately.

Vocal Alabama football fans want Jeremy Pruitt or Glenn Schumann or Jim Leonhard. Less vocal fans are likely content with any DC hire Nick Saban decides to make, though that premise would be challenged if the choice is Grantham.

Next Alabama Football Offensive Coordinator

Crimson Tide fans are not so aligned when it comes to the Tide’s next Offensive Coordinator. Some prefer former Mississippi State and Florida head coach Dan Mullen. But other Tide fans would use the ‘Do Not Enter’ signs for Mullen.

The most recent name to be associated with the Alabama Football Offensive Coordinator opening is Oklahoma OC, Jeff Lebby. Lebby’s move from being a Sooners player to being a college coach began in Norman as a student coach and moved to Waco, during Art Briles’ tenure at Baylor. After several seasons, Lebby moved to UCF as QB coach in 2018. He became the UCF, OC for the 2019 season, before going to Ole Miss to work with Lane Kiffin for two seasons.

In his main college coaching jobs, Lebby has been able to learn from Briles, Jim Grtobe, Josh Heupel, Lane Kiffin and this season Brent Venables. There are rumors both Venables and Lebby prefer to not coach together in 2023.

Many Alabama fans were excited when ESPN’s Pete Thamel said on the Paul Finebaum Show that he had heard Lebby’s name mentioned with the Alabama opening.

Not every Crimson Tide fan thinks Lebby would be a good choice. They point out he ran other coaches’ offenses at UCF and Ole Miss and until the Oklahoma job was never the sole offensive play-caller. Then again, knowing Lane Kiffin’s offense well must be a plus for Lebby in Nick Saban’s mind. The Lebby nay-sayers add the Oklahoma offense in 2022, which was solely Lebby’s, was pretty average for a conference in which defense is often an afterthought.

There is also Kliff Kingsbury. The pro-Kingsbury crowd is convinced he would be a home-run hire. Others have doubts that Kingsbury would chafe under the constraints of running Nick Saban’s Alabama offense. Another complaint about Kingbury is as a college head coach he was 35-40 at Texas Tech.

A name being mentioned, but to some of us not often enough, is Philadelphia QB coach, Brian Johnson. With Johnson tutoring Jalen Hurts, the Eagles’ offense has been outstanding. If Saban brings in Johnson, Tuscaloosa will be filled with ‘Welcome’ signs.

In the end, Alabama fans will likely welcome Nick Saban’s two choices with open arms – and maybe also open minds.