Tide dynasty over? Scott Cochran’s decision to leave Alabama for Georgia leads to several interesting reactions
Published:
Could this be the loss that finally ends Nick Saban’s Alabama dynasty?
If you missed the news, as first reported by Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News, longtime Alabama head strength coach Scott Cochran is leaving Alabama for Georgia. Cochran is expected to be named Kirby Smart’s new special teams coordinator after serving as the strength coach at Alabama dating back to 2007.
This news comes after several former Saban assistants have tried, and failed, to lure Cochran away from Tuscaloosa in previous offseasons. According to ESPN college football insider Chris Low, Saban is prepared to address Cochran’s departure with his team on Monday.
Following the news, college football Twitter was buzzing following just how big of a loss this could be for Saban and his Alabama football program, especially considering Cochran is leaving for an SEC rival that many see as the biggest threat to the Tide’s SEC dominance.
Nick Saban plans to tell the @AlabamaFTBL team later Monday afternoon about Scott Cochran leaving for the @GeorgiaFootball special teams job. Cochran’s exit means head trainer Jeff Allen is the lone football staff member remaining that came with Saban to Alabama in 2007.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) February 24, 2020
“This is a seismic move,” says @JTalty on reports Scott Cochran is leaving Alabama staff to join Kirby Smart at Georgia.
— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) February 24, 2020
Through all the changes in Tuscaloosa in the Saban era, Scott Cochran has been one of few constants pic.twitter.com/al5ZHm8kd0
— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) February 24, 2020
This is a SIGNIFICANT loss for Bama and ridiculous coup by Kirby and UGA!
Is this the first sign of a “changing of the guard” in the SEC??? https://t.co/4AOszAeRqS— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) February 24, 2020
There's been a lot of staff turnover at #Alabama over the years but Scott Cochran (and Jeff Allen) have been as valuable as any assistant Saban's had there, according to some Bama coaches. https://t.co/czQBxsUNrH https://t.co/mlM99EPE8L
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) February 24, 2020
https://twitter.com/alex_kirshner/status/1232030191209385984?s=20
Well, this is kind of a foundation-shaking move in the SEC. https://t.co/ysU0Q0K2Ek
— Josh Kendall (@JoshTheAthletic) February 24, 2020
A huge move in the SEC https://t.co/PmTqhul5hz
— Rivals (@Rivals) February 24, 2020
https://twitter.com/EvilKirbySmart/status/1232034607157186561
Hey, coach, I just accepted a job at Georgia. pic.twitter.com/WO9F27Ftga
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) February 24, 2020
Wow. Huge news. https://t.co/nwIvO1QwZZ
— Barton Simmons (@bartonsimmons) February 24, 2020
Wooow. Kirby and Nick will not be trading Christmas cards. https://t.co/1Ax2kBprZO
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) February 24, 2020
Holy mutha!! This is a massive move in the SEC. Cochran has been as big of an impact for @AlabamaFTBL in the Saban era as anyone not named Nick Saban. https://t.co/GexxXFCULX
— Ian Fitzsimmons (@Ianfitzespn) February 24, 2020
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
