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football Edit

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

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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 Locksely and Steve Sarkisian talk together before Alabama's 54-16 SEC Championship win in the Georgia Dome Saturday, December 3, 2016.
Mike Locksely and Steve Sarkisian talk together before Alabama's 54-16 SEC Championship win in the Georgia Dome Saturday, December 3, 2016. (Gary Cosby Jr. | The Tuscaloosa News)

  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.

Alabama Wide Receivers Coach Billy Napier at University of Alabama fall football practice in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013.
Alabama Wide Receivers Coach Billy Napier at University of Alabama fall football practice in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013. (Dusty Compton | The Tuscaloosa News)

  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 walks onto the field before Alabama's 54-16 SEC Championship win in the Georgia Dome Saturday, December 3, 2016.
Steve Sarkisian walks onto the field before Alabama's 54-16 SEC Championship win in the Georgia Dome Saturday, December 3, 2016. (Gary Cosby Jr. | The Tuscaloosa News)

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.

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