Who will Alabama target to replace Kiffin as next offensive coordinator?
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Nick Saban will have a tremendous hole to fill on his coaching staff following the departure of offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, who will take over Florida Atlantic’s program after the conclusion of the upcoming College Football Playoff.
According to Fox Sports reporter Bruce Feldman and USA Today’s Dan Wolken, Saban will likely target an in-house name to keep the offensive momentum going into 2017:
Am told Nick Saban is expected to consider in-house candidates for #Alabama OC job: Sark, Mike Locksley & Billy Napier.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 12, 2016
With Kiffin going to FAU, there will be a lot of support in the building for Nick Saban to promote receivers coach Billy Napier to OC
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) December 12, 2016
Napier is in his fourth season on the Alabama coaching staff as wide receivers coach. He joined the team after serving as the assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach at Colorado State in 2012 for former Tide offensive coordinator (and current Florida HC) Jim McElwain.
Sarkisian and Locksley both joined the staff prior to the 2016 season and serve as offensive analysts. Sarkisian most recently served as USC’s coach from 2014-15, and Locksley was Maryland’s play-caller from 2012-15.
Tyler Waddell is a member of the Saturday Down South news team. He brings over five years of professional journalism experience and is closing in on a Bachelor's in sports management. Follow him on Twitter (@Tyler_Waddell).
