Alabama football coach Nick Saban stated that coaches failed to develop QB Jalen Hurts, causing his failures late in the season.
The Alabama Crimson Tide may have played in the most recent National Championship Game, but it was not on the shoulders of the offense particularly. And, apparently, it was the fault of the coaching staff, at least according to Head Coach Nick Saban. He may have a point.
In a radio interview on WJOX-FM in Birmingham, Alabama, Saban stated that the staff protected freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts, rather than develop him as a passer. Over the first 11 games of the season, Hurts completed less than 60 percent of his passes only twice: the opening game against USC and against LSU.
The last three games were the worst three of the season for Hurts, completing only 55 percent or less in each. Granted, those games were the SEC Championship against Florida, against Washington in the Peach Bowl, and the National Championship versus Clemson. In those games, Hurts completed 31-of-70 passes for 326 yards and two touchdowns.
Maybe it was just the level of competition and the fact that Hurts was a true freshman? Possibly? Not according to Saban.
"Sometimes later in the year when people played us in a way that we needed to be able to throw the ball, we may not have been as efficient as we would have liked to have been. That was probably our fault as coaches. Because we protected him, instead of developed him as a young player."
Out with the old and in with the new. Former offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin is now at Florida Atlantic . Saban turns to Brian Daboll, who Tide fans call “Run” Daboll. Just check Twitter for “#RunDaboll.”
With experience working with top NFL quarterbacks Tom Brady and Brett Favre, Daboll’s relationship with Hurts could lead to a more dynamic passing attack. Additionally, he was on staff with Saban at Michigan State in 1998-99. The combinations of these relationships will make the Tide an offensive force.
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Hurts is already a duel-threat player, trailing only Damien Harris by 86 rushing yards on the season. A full spring and summer before the season gives Saban a chance to create a balanced offense. Teams in the Power 5 are on notice.