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Nick Saban doesn't anticipate any further staff changes

MOBILE | With four of his former players on the field behind him participating during the first day of practice at the Senior Bowl, University of Alabama head coach Nick Saban wasn’t ready to reveal plans for his coaching staff as it pertains to new on-the-field assistant coach Mike Locksley, who was hired last week.

Locksley served as an offensive analyst for the Crimson Tide in 2016 and had coaching opportunities at both Florida Atlantic, where former offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin went to be the head coach, and at Florida. Locksley has previously served as head coach at both New Mexico and Maryland.

“Mike Locksley is a coach on our staff right now,” Saban said during his meeting with reporters at Ladd-Pebbles Stadium on Tuesday afternoon. “We’re really happy to have him. When we get all the changes that we’re going to make on the staff worked out, we’ll make an announcement about who’s going to coach what and where.”

Locksley took an on-the-field position after a spot opened up on the offensive coaching staff when offensive tackles/tight ends coach Mario Cristobal left to become the co-offensive coordinator at Oregon.

Saban, who has been on the road putting the finishing touches on the 2017 recruiting class, said he doesn’t anticipate further coaching staff changes.

“Not really. I mean I never know what other guys are going to do,” Saban said. “I’m happy with the staff that we have. They’ve done a really good job for us. We were pleased with Mario (Cristobal) and the job that he did for us. Mike Locksley is a great addition to our staff. We’re pleased with the people that we have, but you never know what their goals and aspirations are when recruiting is over.”

Wide receivers coach Billy Napier has been an offensive coordinator (Clemson) in the past, and his name surfaces after nearly every season he’s been on staff at Alabama as a potential candidate at other schools.

Four former UA players are representing the Crimson Tide at the Senior Bowl, including outside linebacker Ryan Anderson, tight end O.J. Howard, defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson and long snapper Cole Mazza. Three other UA players opted out of participating in the annual scouting event.

“I think the Senior Bowl is a great opportunity for our players, especially being in our state here in Mobile,” Saban said. “A lot of fans have a lot of interest in how our players do in this game. But I think the guys that chose not to play — Reuben (Foster) is a little bit hurt, Tim Williams is actually a little bit hurt, Jonathan Allen was a little bit hurt at the end of the season — I think they all had good reason not to play.

“We’re happy the four guys who are here are getting an opportunity to show what they can do.”

The players were measured in for the week Tuesday morning. Howard earned a lot of buzz, measuring in at 6-foot-5 5/8, 249 pounds. Tomlinson measured in at 6-3, 312, Anderson was 6-2 1/8, 258 and Mazza was 6-1, 236.

Reach Aaron Suttles at aaron@tidesports.com or at 205-722-0229.

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