SEC Extra Points with Barrett Sallee: Alabama Built to Withstand Coaching Losses
Coaching Carousel Spinning Some More?
Alabama is the latest program to get hit with changes in its staff, as outside linebackers coach Kevin Steele took a step up to become LSU's new defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach Lance Thompson moved across the state to coach linebackers at Auburn.
A bigger and higher-profile coach may be considering a jump as well.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
ESPN reported over the weekend that offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin is the front-runner for the same role with the NFL's San Francisco 49ers. Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban addressed the report on Tuesday at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, according to Michael Casagrande of AL.com.
"I can't say that right now because I know Lane is committed to us right now and he's doing the best he can to help recruit and do the things we need to do to have a better team next year," Saban said. "We're hopeful that will continue."
To "right nows" and one "hopeful that will continue" certainly suggests that, at the very least, Kiffin is contemplating the jump. As B/R Alabama lead writer Marc Torrence wrote over the weekend, Kiffin leaving would hurt the 2015 Crimson Tide.
Kiffin's offense finished third in the SEC in total offense 2014 (484.5 yards per game), fourth in yards per play (6.66), second in scoring offense (36.9 points per game) and produced a Heisman Trophy finalist in wide receiver Amari Cooper.
The timing of the move would hurt the most. For the most part, coaches who were on the market this offseason have found new homes in 2015. Alabama, though, is built to withstand poorly timed coaching turnover.
Wide receivers coach Billy Napier was Clemson's offensive coordinator in 2009 and 2010, and offensive line coach Mario Cristobal has an offensive pedigree and was FIU's head coach from 2007-2012. If Saban wanted, either could be elevated to offensive coordinator without much change in Alabama's overall approach.
That's the benefit of having coaches with plenty of experience taking "lesser" jobs on staff. If Kiffin gets plucked by the NFL, Saban wouldn't have to scramble like many other coaches. Sure, he could swing for the fences and see if a more preferable target or two would consider a move late in the coaching silly season, but he doesn't have to.
That's a tremendous luxury for Saban to have.
Arkansas' Florida Pipeline
When you think of schools that depend on the state of Florida for its success, Arkansas probably isn't at the top of that list.
Maybe it should be.
In Arkansas' game notes every week, there's a picture of the states of Texas and Florida with the note that the Hogs have the second-most players in the SEC from the two recruiting hotbeds (29), excluding SEC schools located in those states. Running back Alex Collins and offensive tackle Denver Kirkland are just two of the stars from the sunshine state.
When linebackers coach Randy Shannon left, it was vital for head coach Bret Bielema to keep that pipeline intact. He did it when he hired Vernon Hargreaves to replace Shannon. Hargreaves was the linebackers coach at Miami from 1998-2005 and has also worked as the defensive ends coach at South Florida in 2010 and 2011.
"Bringing in somebody of that experience is huge," Bielema told B/R. "He has ties to South Florida and he's done a great job recruiting in Texas. Shoot, he's from Connecticut, and not a lot of people realize that. But he's got the ability to really recruit anywhere."
Plus, he's got the right attitude for Arkansas—a program that, while talented, still relies on coaches getting the most out of players to contend in the rough-and-tumble SEC West.
"If they don't do anything else, they're going to play hard," Hargreaves said on a conference call on Tuesday. "It doesn't take a lot of talent to play hard. If you couple that with playing with great technique, then you have a chance to be really successful."
Hargreaves is a tremendous hire for Bielema.
Offensive Help for Florida
New head coach Jim McElwain was brought in to Gainesville to revitalize an offense that had bottomed out under former head coach Will Muschamp. McElwain got good news on Tuesday, when he learned that one of his offensive weapons will return in 2015.
Tight end Jake McGee, who broke his tibia and fibula in the season opener vs. Eastern Michigan and missed the rest of the season, will return after the NCAA granted him a sixth year of eligibility, according to GatorCountry.com.
"Lets try this college thing one more time! thanks @ncaa see you in the fall!
— Jake McGee (@JakeOvaTheWorld) January 20, 2015"
Before transferring to Florida and after the season, McGee led Virginia in receiving in 2013 with 43 catches, 395 yards and two touchdowns. He was supposed to be the safety valve that quarterback Jeff Driskel could rely on last year in Kurt Roper's offense.
Instead, he'll try to do it one more time in McElwain's system with either quarterback Treon Harris or redshirt freshman Will Grier. The 6'6", 245-pounder has big hands, can present matchup problems to opposing linebackers and safeties and will help stabilize a Gators offense that's in desperate need of stability.
"Defensive Back U"
LSU has become synonymous with fantastic defensive play over the last few seasons, after producing studs such as Patrick Peterson, Mo Claiborne, Tyrann Mathieu and others who have moved on to the next level. Jalen Collins is trying to do that after his career in Baton Rouge, and Tre'Davious White and Jalen Mills won't be far behind him.
Who's next in line?
Stud recruit Kevin Toliver has already enrolled, and head coach Les Miles got good news on Wednesday when 5-star athlete Donte Jackson committed to the Tigers.
Toliver congratulated his soon-to-be teammate on Twitter.
New defensive coordinator Kevin Steele has big shoes to fill stepping in for John Chavis, but he did convince Ed Orgeron to come with him to Baton Rouge to head up the Tigers defensive line. Orgeron should be able to work wonders up front, which will help Toliver and Jackson in the back end for years to come.
"Defensive back U?" Yep, LSU can stake a claim to that.
Quick Outs
- Auburn and Georgia Tech are batting around the idea of renewing their rivalry, according to Ken Sugiura of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The former SEC foes and border rivals last met in 2005, and Auburn holds a 47-41-4 series lead over the Yellow Jackets. For the sake of college football, make this happen.
- Speaking of Auburn, it lost some linebacker depth on Wednesday, when Khari Harding announced that he is transferring to Tulsa for family reasons after two seasons as a reserve at Auburn, according to AL.com. The former 3-star prospect had trouble cracking the lineup at Auburn, but will force new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp to look elsewhere to find much-needed depth in the middle of the Tigers defense.
- Florida announced plans for a $15 million indoor practice facility on Wednesday, which should be ready by September. Considering it's Florida and it rains a lot, yeah, and indoor practice facility is necessary. Also, that general contractor has some "SEC speed" if that building is going to be ready for the start of the season.
Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and video analyst for Bleacher Report, as well as a co-host of the CFB Hangover on Bleacher Report Radio (Sundays, 9-11 a.m. ET) on Sirius 93, XM 208.
Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats are courtesy of cfbstats.com, and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports. Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
