The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Locksley, Kelly options to replace Sarkisian
Crimson Tide will have their third OC since Peach Bowl.
TUSCALOOSA, ALA. — Alabama coach Nick Saban is in the market for an offensive coordinator after Steve Sarkisian left the Crimson Tide for the Atlanta Falcons.
“We appreciate all Coach Sarkisian did for our program during his time here,” Saban said in a statement. “He is an outstanding coach, and we wish him the best in his new role as Atlanta’s offensive coordinator. As always, when we have an opening on our staff, we will use it as an opportunity to go out and hire the best coach available.”
Alabama will have plenty of options to replace Sarkisian, whose relationship with Saban reportedly was strained after the national championship game loss to Clemson. Sarkisian became offensive coordinator for the title game after Lane Kiffin took the head coaching job at Florida Atlantic.
The first choice as a replacement would seem to be Mike Locksley. Locksley spent last season as an offensive analyst on Alabama’s staff. He was promoted to a full-time assistant position after there was turnover on the staff.
Locksley was the interim head coach at Maryland for the final six games of the 2015 season. Before that, he was Maryland’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2012-15. Locksley was the head coach at New Mexico from 2009-11.
Other candidates mentioned included Chip Kelly and former Oregon coach Mike Helfrich, according to Fox Sports reporter Bruce Feldman.
Kelly said earlier this year he would be happy accepting a coordinator position.
That all means Alabama will have a different offensive coordinator in three consecutive games. Lane Kiffin coached the Peach Bowl before taking the head coaching job at Florida Atlantic; Sarkisian coached the national championship game. Saban’s new hire will lead Alabama’s offense in the 2017 season opener against Florida State.
Here’s a list of potential candidates to replace Sarkisian.
■ Mike Locksley: He already is on Alabama’s coaching staff. He spent last season as an offensive analyst and was promoted this offseason after staff turnover. Locksley has plenty of experience. He was interim head coach at Maryland for the final six games of the 2015 season. Before that, Locksley was Maryland’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2012-15. Locksley was head coach at New Mexico from 2009-11.
■ Chip Kelly: This one feels more like a dream at the moment, but can you imagine what Kelly could do with all the talent on Alabama’s offense? The former Oregon coach fizzled in the NFL (Eagles, 49ers), but his coaching style was always better suited for the college game. Kelly said earlier this year that he’d be happy accepting a coordinator position.
■ Billy Napier: Yes, Napier recently accepted the offensive coordinator position at Arizona State. But if Sarkisian’s abrupt departure teaches us anything, it’s that coaching is fluid. There’s nothing to suggest that the former wide receivers coach couldn’t come back to Alabama’s staff if Saban wanted him.
■ Mark Helfrich: He seems like more of a reach than Kelly at this point, but you never know what could happen. No one seriously thought Saban would hire Kiffin, and we saw how that turned out. Helfrich is out of work after being fired from Oregon, so he is available and seeking options.