Offensive coordinator hot board
Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin is expected to be the next head coach at Florida Atlantic, according to multiple reports. He'll stay with the Crimson Tide through the playoffs as it pursues another national championship, but Nick Saban will be searching for a new playcaller soon enough.
We've listed five prime candidates who could be considered in alphabetical order.
DAN ENOS
Current position: Arkansas offensive coordinator/quarterbacks
Former positions:
2010-14 - Central Michigan head coach
2007-09 - Michigan State running backs
2006 - Michigan State quarterbacks
2004-05 - Cincinnati quarterbacks
2003 - North Dakota State offensive coordinator/quarterbacks
2000-02 - Western Michigan quarterbacks
1999 - Missouri State offensive coordinator/quarterbacks
1997-98 - Southern Illinois quarterbacks/wide receivers
1996 - Northern Michigan offensive coordinator/running backs
1994-95 - Lakeland University offensive coordinator/quarterbacks/wide receivers
1991-93 - Michigan State GA
A non-compete clause in Enos' contract at Arkansas might make him a non-starter in the discussion, but he's thought of highly by Saban. If there's a way for him to leave Fayetteville, he'll likely get strong consideration from Alabama.
ERIC KIESAU
Current position: Fresno State offensive coordinator/interim head coach
Former positions:
2015 – Alabama offensive analyst
2014 – Kansas wide receivers coach
2012-13 – Washington wide receivers coach, offensive coordinator
2011 – California wide receivers coach, passing game coordinator
2009-10 – Colorado wide receivers coach, offensive coordinator
2006-08 – Colorado wide receivers coach
2002-05 – California wide receivers coach, special teams coordinator
2001 – Utah State wide receivers coach
2000 – Utah State running backs coach
Kiesau was Kiffin’s roommate during the 2015 season before returning to the west coast, where he had spent most of his career. He has five years of experience as an offensive coordinator. New Fresno State head coach Jeff Tedford announced he would not retain any assistants from the Bulldogs’ staff. Fresno State’s offense this year has had problems (121st nationally with 329.3 yards per game) but Kiesau guided Washington to 499 yards per game in 2013.
MIKE LOCKSLEY
Current position: Alabama offensive analyst
Former positions:
2012-15 – Maryland quarterbacks coach, offensive coordinator (interim head coach in 2015)
2009-11 – New Mexico head coach
2006-08 – Illinois quarterbacks coach, offensive coordinator
2005 – Illinois tight ends, offensive coordinator
2003-04 – Florida running backs, recruiting coordinator
1998-02 - Maryland running backs coach, recruiting coordinator
1997 – Maryland running backs coach
1996 – Army wide receivers and tight ends coach
1995 – Pacific outside linebackers coach
1994 – U.S. Naval Prep School defensive line coach and defensive coordinator
1993 – U.S. Naval Prep School defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator
1992 – Towson State defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator
Locksley is the most experienced of this bunch, with almost 25 years of college coaching under his belt. He’s been a head coach and also has eight years of experience as an offensive coordinator. He’s coached several positions on offense at major conference schools. As with other candidates on this list, his time already spent at Alabama would help him step in quickly both as an on-field assistant and as a recruiter for the Crimson Tide.
BILLY NAPIER
Current position: Alabama wide receivers coach
Former positions:
2013-present – Alabama wide receivers coach
2012 – Colorado State quarterbacks coach
2011 – Alabama offensive analyst
2009-10 – Clemson quarterbacks coach, offensive coordinator
2007-08 – Clemson tight ends coach, recruiting coordinator
2006 – Clemson tight ends coach
2005 – South Carolina State quarterbacks coach
2003-04 – Clemson graduate assistant
All of these candidates are internal hires, but Napier would be the only one that doesn’t immediately fill Kiffin’s spot as an on-field assistant. He’s been part of the offensive staff for the last three seasons and has playcalling experience from his time at Clemson. He’s coached Amari Cooper, Calvin Ridley and ArDarius Stewart during his first three seasons in Tuscaloosa.
STEVE SARKISIAN
Current position: Alabama offensive analyst
Former positions:
2014-15 – Southern Cal head coach
2009-13 – Washington head coach
2007-08 – Southern Cal quarterbacks coach, offensive coordinator
2005-06 – Southern Cal quarterbacks coach
2004 – Oakland Raiders quarterbacks coach
2001-03 – Southern Cal quarterbacks coach
2000-01 – El Camino (California) CC quarterbacks coach
There similarities between Kiffin and Sarkisian are too plentiful to ignore. Both are former USC head coaches and offensive coordinators who spent some time in an off-field role on Alabama’s staff. Sarkisian has worked for the program this fall in a quiet but valuable analyst role. Moving Sarkisian into Kiffin's role as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator would allow the rest of the offensive staff to continue without disruption.