Many Alabama Crimson Tide fans were displeased with Nick Sheridan, Kalen DeBoer's first offensive Coordinator. They wanted Ryan Grubb, and few considered Sheridan a worthy replacement after Grubb abruptly bolted for the NFL.
Crimson Tide fans were not wrong in questioning whether a promotion from tight ends coach to OC/Quarterback coach was wise. As recently as 2016, Sheridan was a GA at Tennessee. Before that, he was a Passing Game Coordinator and Quarterback coach at Western Kentucky and South Florida. After being fired at South Florida, the three seasons he spent in Knoxville (2024-2016) were career-rebuilding years. After progressing to becoming QB coach at Indiana, he was reassigned to Tight Ends coach for the Hoosiers in 2019. Kalen DeBoer was the Indiana OC in 2019. When DeBoer left the next season to become the head coach at Fresno State, Sheridan was promoted to OC/QB coach. After two seasons the Hoosiers fired him.
Shortly after his second firing, Kalen DeBoer hired him as Washington's Tight Ends coach. Given their history together, it is not surprising that DeBoer turned to Sheridan when Grubb left. Despite doubts, many Alabama Crimson Tide fans accepted that DeBoer had made a sound decision. In October, the number of positive fans began to dwindle. Alabama did not lose to Vanderbilt because of Nick Sheridan's play-calling. A week later, against South Carolina, the Crimson Tide offense struggled. Glaring offensive weaknesses led to losses against Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Michigan.
2024 Alabama Crimson Tide faults and Nick Sheridan
There are fingers of blame to fairly point at Sheridan. Three Alabama running backs combined to rush for less than 1,400 yards. Even with Jalen Milroe's rushing production, the Crimson Tide finished No. 49 in the FBS in average rushing yards per carry. Alabama was sixth in the SEC in passing percentage completions at 63.8%. More telling is at the end of the season when the Alabama Football offense should have been its best, it was embarrassingly bad against Oklahoma and Michigan.
An unanswered question is how much better Alabama would have been with a more experienced signal caller than Sheridan. Would the Crimson Tide offense have been better with less dependence on Jalen Milroe's strengths and, as a result, less impacted by his weaknesses? Should inconsistencies on the offensive line be blamed on Sheridan for not scheming around the problem? What is known is that Alabama football fans have good reason to welcome Ryan Grubb. But, rather than vilifying Nick Sheridan, it is warranted to acknowledge the value he brings to the program going forward.
Sheridan has established relationships with Alabama's three quarterbacks. Ryan Grubb must build a relationship with two of them. Sheridan was the primary recruiter of Keelon Russell. That continuity is valuable to the 2025 Alabama Crimson Tide. It could provide added protection that neither Ty Simpson nor Keelon Russell hit the next Transfer Portal in April.
Nick Sheridan's new job title is Co-Offensive Coordinator - Quarterbacks Coach. Alabama fans can be pleased he chose to stay in Tuscaloosa.
Note: Alabama Football stats provided by cfbstats.com