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Alabama WR coach Josh Gattis to become OC at Michigan

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Photo | Alabama Athletics
Photo | Alabama Athletics (UA Athletics)
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — A last-minute change of heart will now see Josh Gattis join Jim Harbaugh’s staff at Michigan. Gattis, who appeared set to follow former Alabama offensive coordinator Mike Locksley to Maryland, will now become the new offensive coordinator with the Wolverines, according to The Athletic.

Sources told BamaInsider.com that Gattis met with Locksley and appeared set to take the offensive coordinator position at Maryland. However, a deal was never finalized, allowing Harbaugh and Michigan to swoop in with a better offer at the last minute.

Gattis joined Alabama this season after spending the past six seasons working as a receivers coach under James Franklin at Vanderbilt (2012-13) and Penn State (2014-17). He played an integral role working with Locksley in Alabama’s offense this past season, helping the Crimson Tide finish No. 3 in scoring offense (45.6 points per game) and No. 6 in total offense (522 yards per game). Alabama’s passing offense finished No. 6 in the nation averaging, averaging 323.6 yards per game.

“Josh is a very good coach," Alabama head coach Nick Saban said last year. “He’s a very bright guy. He’s been in some good systems. He has a good understanding of the big picture offensively. He’s very technical in terms of how he coaches and teaches his players and they have a good understanding. He has a really good personality. But he’s also demanding. He can confront and demand guys when they’re not doing things the way they’re supposed to do them and I think that’s created a lot of consistency in our receivers and it’s also improved their toughness and their mental toughness to sustain.”

Gattis also helped develop Biletnikoff Award winner Jerry Jeudy, who recorded 68 receptions for 1,315 yards and 14 touchdowns through 15 games. Alabama had five receivers with 40 or more receptions and 600 or more yards.

On top of his coaching efforts, Gattis was also viewed as one of Alabama’s top recruiters. He helped the Crimson Tide land five-star defensive lineman Antonio Alfano as well as four-star receiver John Metchie and four-star defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe in this year’s class.

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