The Alabama Crimson Tide could be close to naming a current assistant for the New England Patriots as the team’s offensive coordinator.
Steve Sarkisian’s surprising decision to leave Alabama for the offensive coordinator job with the Atlanta Falcons has left the national runner-ups looking for their third OC since January. Now it appears Nick Saban has narrowed his search to Brian Daboll, the tight ends coach for the New England Patriots as the leading candidate, according to ESPN.
Daboll previously worked as a graduate assistant under Saban at Michigan State. His other coaching stops include being the offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans. He’s also served as quarterbacks coach for the New York Jets. Daboll is in his second stint with the Patriots since returning in 2013. He previously served as an assistant from 2000-2006.
ESPN’s report doesn’t say if Daboll is interested or if he would leave the Patriots if Saban offered him the job, but he has interviewed and it would be tough to turn down a chance to work for the best program in college football.
Other candidates reportedly in the mix for the offensive coordinator job are George Godsey, the offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans and Alabama offensive analyst Mike Locksley. If Daboll is hired, Locksley could be promoted to wide receivers coach.
It’s easy to see why Saban would be interested in a coach with whom he has previously had on his staff, even if it was a lifetime ago, at Michigan State. Plus, his ties to Bill Belichick make it seem like a no-brainer and a tremendous fit. It would represent a departure from riskier hires like Lane Kiffin and Sarkisian who had their issues before getting the Alabama job.
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With a name like Daboll, you know he’d be a perfect fit for the Alabama fans who live to run da ball.