If you can’t beat them, hire them.
After falling to Ole Miss two of the past three seasons, Alabama added former Rebels offensive coordinator Dan Werner to its staff as an offensive analyst on Tuesday, according to a report from FOX Sports. Werner, who was fired by Ole Miss in December, served as the Rebels' offensive coordinator/ quarterbacks coach the past five seasons.
While at Ole Miss, Werner helped orchestrate back-to-back upsets over Alabama, beating the Crimson Tide 23-17 in 2014 and 43-37 in 2015. He nearly made it three straight games last season, coaching Ole Miss’ offense to a 24-3 lead. However, a second-half comeback allowed Alabama to leave Oxford, Miss., with a 48-43 victory. The 522 yards Werner’s offense put up against the Tide during last season’s game were the most by any opponent all year.
Werner was most known for his work with quarterbacks at Ole Miss, as seen by the development of Bo Wallace and Chad Kelly. Both quarterbacks came to Ole Miss from East Mississippi Community College and thrived under Werner’s instruction. Against Alabama last season, Kelly completed 26 of 40 passes for 421 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions while adding 43 yards on 14 carries.
Ole Miss ranked 35th in total offense and was tied for 45th in scoring offense this past season. In 2015 Werner was a Broyles Award nominee after setting school records with 531 points, 68 touchdowns, 6,731 yards of total offense, 4,351 passing yards and 35 passing touchdowns.
Before coaching at Ole Miss, Werner spent time at Miami, Murray State, Auburn, James Madison, Louisiana Tech and UNLV. During his combined tenure at Miami, he helped the Hurricanes to eight bowl appearances and three national championships. Werner was key in the development of former Miami quarterback Kent Dorsey, who won 2001 Maxwell Award.
Werner will join former Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke who was also reported to be hired by Alabama as an offensive analyst this offseason.
