Back-to-back seasons without a national championship game appearance.
Fair or not, that’s an unfortunate cause for concern at Alabama, widely-considered college football’s torchbearer since winning the first of three BCS titles over a four-year span in 2009.
With the recruiting season in full swing and the Crimson Tide soon to welcome the nation’s top-ranked class, February is a good time for Nick Saban to re-evaluate his coaching staff and determine what is needed next season in Tuscaloosa. One of the most important hires Saban needs to make is in the secondary where Alabama struggled this season without a true position coach.
We’ve included two highly-regarded assistants and how they graded out in 2014, coaches who will retain their positions unless they choose to leave. Saban needs both to continue what the Crimson Tide started this season with balance on both sides of the football.
Lane Kiffin, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks (A)
The former Tennessee and Southern Cal head coach was considered a risky hire for Saban last January, but responded in his first season as Alabama’s offensive coordinator with a spectacular campaign, leading the Crimson Tide’s offense to new heights behind Blake Sims and Amari Cooper. Cooper shattered several program records at wide receiver while Alabama’s uptempo spread as a unit averaged 484.4 yards per game — tops in the Saban era. For his efforts, Kiffin was named one of five finalists for the 2014 Broyles Award given to the nation’s top assistant coach.
Best game: 42 points, 672 yards during win over Florida — Had it not been for four turnovers, the Crimson Tide would still be scoring touchdowns on Will Muschamp’s defense during an afternoon of near perfect execution offensively on Sept. 20. Sims eviscerated the Gators’ top-rated secondary for 445 yards (second-most single-game total in program history) and four touchdowns while sophomore Derrick Henry galloped for 111 yards and a score on 20 carries. Kiffin’s offense clicked like clockwork early after Alabama scored on 87 and 79-yard plays in the opening quarter during a game that kickstarted ‘Kiffin for hire’ nationally. Alabama’s 59-point outburst against Texas A&M and 55-spot on Auburn finish a close second.
Worst game: 17 points, 20 first downs, 396 total yards during loss at Ole Miss — Matched up against the nation’s top-ranked scoring defense, Kiffin’s offense mustered just 10 points in Oxford, the other seven coming on Cyrus Jones’ 17-yard scoop-and-score in the second quarter. Despite a 123-yard game from T.J. Yeldon, the Crimson Tide fell flat in the red zone and struggled on third down. It was the only game, after his first career start in the opener, that Sims was held without a touchdown pass. Two turnovers damaged Alabama’s chances.
2015 outlook: Kiffin’s an attractive offensive-minded head coaching candidate at a non-Power 5 who will likely remain at Alabama at least one more season.
Kirby Smart, defensive coordinator/linebackers (B+)
The Iron Bowl and Sugar Bowl stick out as less-than-stellar performances, but Alabama’s defense in 2014 was one of the SEC’s best and complimented a much-improved offensive attack. Behind Kirby Smart’s tutelage, the Crimson Tide gave up a nation-low five rushing touchdowns (2 in the bowl game) and was tops int he SEC against the run at 102.4 yards per game. Alabama ranked sixth nationally (third in the SEC) in scoring defense, but took a step back in several categories including third-down conversion defense and turnover margin. Outside of All-American safety Landon Collins, the Crimson Tide never fixed season-long issues in the secondary and gave up the third-most touchdown passes in the SEC (19). Alabama’s in need of a secondary assistant next season after Saban coached the cornerbacks and Smart worked with safeties this fall.
Best game: 0 points, 8 first downs, 172 total yards given up during blowout over Texas A&M — So much for Kevin Sumlin’s fast-paced Air Raid. Led by talked-about triggerman Kenny Hill, Texas A&M’s offense never found a rhythm in Tuscaloosa, falling behind 45-0 at one point in the second quarter. Smart’s defensive dominance, especially on third down (2-for-13), led to Hill’s benching the following week. Alabama’s win over then-No. 1 and unbeaten Mississippi State was impressive as well as Smart’s scheme forced Dak Prescott, who was a Heisman candidate coming in, into three interceptions.
Worst game: 44 points; 630 yards given up during Iron Bowl win over Auburn — Had it not been for Cooper’s record-setting 224-yard receiving performance, the Crimson Tide’s embarrassing defensive performance would’ve been magnified prior to the SEC Championship Game. Most would say Alabama’s outing vs. Ohio State takes the cake considering Smart’s extra time to prepare, but the Buckeyes have more talent than the Tigers who finished the season with five losses.
2015 outlook: Smart is an ideal head coaching candidate as a defensive guru who has been contacted for other jobs for several years. He says he is waiting on the ideal situation before leaving Tuscaloosa and should remain the Crimson Tide’s DC next season.
