Report: Alabama TE Coach Jay Graham Expected to Leave Team 2 Months After Hiring

Jay Graham's time with the Alabama Crimson Tide will reportedly be short.

Alabama hired him as a special teams coordinator and tight ends coach in February, but Aaron Suttles of The Athletic reported on Tuesday that he is expected to no longer hold his position by week's end.

Suttles noted there weren't any immediate details available explaining the departure.

"We are pleased to be able to add Jay Graham to our staff," head coach Nick Saban said at the time of the hire, per Suttles. "Jay is well respected across the country for his knowledge of the game and his ability to recruit. He has experience at numerous schools across the SEC footprint with a proven track record for his ability to teach the game and develop young men both on the field and in life."

Graham was supposed to replace Jeff Banks, who departed for the Texas Longhorns to be part of Steve Sarkisian's staff.

Sarkisian was the offensive coordinator for the Crimson Tide last season, and he was the biggest departure in an offseason of coaching losses for the SEC powerhouse. Saban also lost Kyle Flood (offensive line), Charles Huff (running backs) and Karl Scott (secondary).

While it will certainly be challenging for the Crimson Tide to replace so many coaches, this is nothing new for Saban. Alabama is consistently in the national championship picture, which means other programs are interested in offering assistant coaches bigger opportunities.

Graham was a notable hire for Alabama as someone who was an All-SEC running back for Tennessee before an NFL career that included stops with the Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers.

The Crimson Tide will now have to replace him as they look to defend their national title in 2021.