Bama Central

Alabama Coaching Tracker: Karl Scott Heading to the NFL

Scott, who has been with the Crimson Tide since 2018, is joining the Minnesota Vikings staff

Christopher Walsh

Alabama defensive backs coach Karl Scott is headed off the NFL. 

According to Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports, Scott will be joining the Minnesota Vikings staff to the same position. 

Scott had been with the Crimson Tide since the 2018 season. Before that, he was Texas Tech's secondary coach for two seasons. He was named the defensive coordinator at Louisiana Lafayette in December of 2017 before taking the Alabama job. 

Scott is the fifth on-field assistant to depart Tuscaloosa this offseason.

Jay Graham To Coach Special Teams/Tight Ends

Alabama football coach Nick Saban announced on Tuesday afternoon that Jay Graham will be joining his staff as the new tight ends coach as well as special teams coordinator.

Graham brings 15 years of coaching experience with him to the Crimson Tide. He most recently spent a season as Tennessee's running backs coach.

"We are pleased to be able to add Jay Graham to our staff," Saban said in a statement released by Alabama athletics. "Jay is well respected across the country for his knowledge of the game and his ability to recruit. He has experience at numerous schools across the SEC footprint with a proven track record for his ability to teach the game and develop young men both on the field and in life."

Graham spent five years as running backs coach at Florida State from 2013-2017. He also served as special teams coordinator for four of those five seasons.

He then served as the running backs coach at Texas A&M in the 2018 and 2019 seasons before taking the same position at Tennessee.

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join Coach Saban's staff at The University of Alabama," Graham said in a statement. "The program Coach Saban has built at Alabama is something special, and I look forward to the chance to help continue that success. I am excited to begin working with such a talented group of student-athletes as we build toward the 2021 season."

Jay Graham
Alabama Athletics

Todd Watson to Serve as Special Assistant to the Head Coach

Moments after the announcement of the hiring of Jay Graham, Alabama football also announced another former Volunteer will be joining Saban and the Crimson Tide.

Todd Watson, who previously served as Tennessee's director of football operations for two years before transitioning to director of football programming for one year, will now be the special assistant to the head coach at Alabama.

With the Crimson Tide, Watson's responsibilities will include offensive and defensive game preparation as well as high school relations.

“Todd has a long history as a successful high school coach in Alabama and more recently in the college game on the operations side,” Saban said in a statement released by Alabama athletics. “We are excited to add his knowledge and experience to our staff. Todd has always been someone we have had the upmost respect for as a person and a coach.”

Prior to working at Tennessee, Watson served as the director of operations and high school relations at Troy from 2015 to 2017.

“It is an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to work for the most-storied program in college football history,” Watson said in a statement. “My family and I are excited to be back in the great state of Alabama and look forward to being on Coach Saban’s staff.”

Atlanta Falcons Hire Nick Perry as Assistant

The Atlanta Falcons named Nick Perry an assistant defensive backs coach on Saturday morning.

Perry spent the past four seasons (2017-20) as a graduate assistant and analyst at Alabama, where he had also been a player. During Perry's time on Nick Saban support staff, the Crimson Tide made three national championship appearances, winning two.

Perry was a defensive back at Alabama (2010-14), where he won back-to-back national championships in 2011 and 2012. As a senior in 2014, he recorded 80 total tackles (51 solo) as a starting safety.

Perry signed with the Baltimore Ravens following the 2015 NFL Draft and spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016 before returning to Alabama to begin his coaching career.

Robert Gillespie Officially Joins Crimson Tide Staff

Alabama coach Nick Saban announced the addition of Robert Gillespie to the football staff as the Crimson Tide's running backs coach on Friday afternoon.

Gillespie spend the past three seasons in the same positions at North Carolina for then-head coach Larry Fedora for a season and then two years for head coach Mack Brown

"I'm extremely happy to add a coach the caliber of Robert Gillespie to our staff," Saban said in a release. "From his playing days at Florida, to the numerous running backs he has developed throughout his career, Robert has been successful at every stop of his coaching career. He is an excellent teacher, an outstanding recruiter and coaches with great passion and enthusiasm. 

"He is a tremendous addition to our coaching staff, and we look forward to having Robert and his family here at The University of Alabama.”

Gillespie tutored two of the nation’s finest running backs in 2020 as Michael Carter and Javonte Williams both recorded 1,000-yard seasons. Carter led the Tar Heels with 1,245 rushing yards and nine touchdowns while Williams finished with 1,140 yards and 19 touchdowns. 

Over the course of his 17-year career in coaching, Gillespie has produced 10 NFL running backs, including 2017 Offensive Rookie of the Year Alvin Kamara. He will add two more to that list with Williams and Carter declaring for the 2021 NFL Draft. 

Including Kamara, Gillespie mentored three NFL backs at Tennessee, three at Oklahoma State and two each at South Carolina and West Virginia.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join Coach Saban’s staff at The University of Alabama,” Gillespie said in a statment. “Coach’s program in Tuscaloosa is the model of consistency and performance, and I am truly excited to help continue that tradition of success.”

Karl Scott Being Targeted by Maryland

Just when Nick Saban appeared to have a full coaching staff again, another assistant has been mentioned in regards to another job. 

Alabama defensive backs coach Karl Scott is being targeted by Maryland to be the Terrapins' new defensive coordinator. 

Scott, who is also known for his recruiting prowess, just wrapped up his third year with the Crimson Tide. He's focussed on the cornerbacks, while Charles Scott has handled the safeties and had the additional title of associate defensive coordinator.  

Saban's coaching staff was recently raided by former offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, the new head coach at Texas. This time it's former offensive coordinator Mike Locksley who is hoping to lure one of his former colleagues away/. 

Jon Hoke recently left Locksley’s staff to head back to the NFL, as the defensive backs coach for the Atlanta Falcons.

Mike Stoops Hired by FAU as Defensive Coordinator

Alabama analyst Mike Stoops is moving back to an on-field role in the coaching world. 

On Thursday, Florida Atlantic announced that it would be hiring Stoops as its defensive coordinator. Stoops had been with the Crimson Tide since 2018. 

Before his time in Tuscaloosa, he served as the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma (2012-2018) and as the coach at Arizona (2004-2011).

"Mike brings tremendous experience to the defensive side of the ball. His pedigree, two national championships, countless players to the NFL and his wealth of knowledge speaks for itself. This is a home run for us," FAU coach Willie Taggart in a release. "As a former head coach and defensive coordinator at 'Power 5' programs, he knows the importance of building a defensive staff that can teach and adjust. The strength of our defense is their on-field communication and the band of brother culture. I welcome Mike to the B.O.B."

Final On-Field Position to Be Filled by Graham

Reportedly, the final spot on Nick Saban's coaching staff for the 2021 season will be going to former Tennessee running backs coach Jay Graham. 

BamaOnline reported the news first. 

Graham will coach tight ends and be the special teams coordinator for the Crimson Tide, filling the spot left by Jeff Banks who followed Steve Sarkisian to Texas. 

Tennessee Athletics
Tennessee Athletics

Graham was a former Volunteer tailback from 1993 to 1996 and has served as the running backs coach two times for the program, once in 2012 then again this past year. 

Before his most recent stint in Knoxville, he served at Texas A&M, Florida State, South Carolina, Miami of Ohio, San Diego, and Chattanooga.

Robert Gillespie Returning to the SEC

Alabama appears to have found its new running back coach.

Per Bruce Feldman of the Athletic, the Crimson Tide is adding Robert Gillespie to its staff to fill the position. He previously served in the same role at North Carolina from 2018 until this past season. 

D95D4942-AA3D-44A7-A8CC-A3D2FFEB4B15
UNC Athletics

Gillespie coached a pair of 1,000-rushers in Javonte Williams and Michael Carter this season. 

Before his time in Chapel Hill, he was an assistant at Tennessee for five seasons under Butch Jones.

Doug Marrone Targeted as OL Coach

ESPN is reporting that Alabama coach Nick Saban has targeted former Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone to be the Crimson Tide's new offensive line coach.

Chris Low also reported that he hopes to finalize a deal with Marrone soon.

Marrone was fired earlier this month after six seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the last four as head coach. His teams went 23-43, although did reach the AFC Championship Game in 2017.

He was 15-17 in two seasons as the Bills' head coach (2013-14). 

Marrone would join former Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien, who is expected to be announced as Alabama's new offensive coordinator in the near future, giving Alabama three former NFL coaches on the football staff (Nick Saban included). He and O'Brien have worked together as well, at Georgia Tech roughly 20 years ago.  

O'Brien is replacing Steve Sarkisian, who took offensive line coach Kyle Flood with him to Texas. 

Doug Marrone
Sports Illustrated

Charles Huff to Head the Thundering Herd at Marshall

Alabama is losing another offensive coach as Charles Huff is expected to be named the head coach at Marshall on Monday. 

Huff, 37, has been Alabama's associate head coach and running backs coach for two seasons. Not only did the Crimson Tide's Najee Harris win the Doak Walker Award as the nation's best running back, but 247Sports lists him as the nation’s No. 1 recruiter in 2020.

Huff arrived in Tuscaloosa after one season (2018) as the assistant head coach, run-game coordinator and running backs coach at Mississippi State. 

He boasts 16 years of coaching experience on both the NFL and college levels with stops at Penn State (2014-17), Western Michigan (2013), the Buffalo Bills (2012), Vanderbilt (2011), Hampton (2010), Maryland (2009) and Tennessee State (2006-08).

His one season in Starkville produced an effective rushing attack that averaged 223.6 yards per game to rank second in the SEC and 20th nationally. Kylin Hill and Aeris Williams carried the load at running back, averaging 6.3 and 6.2 yards per carry, respectively, while quarterback Nick Fitzgerald led the team in rushing with 1,121 yards and 13 touchdowns.

A native of Denton, Md., Huff spent four seasons (2014-17) as Penn State’s running backs coach and special teams coordinator. He recruited and developed one of the game’s most electrifying players in running back Saquon Barkley, who in 2018 became the highest drafted NFL running back since Reggie Bush went No. 2 overall in 2006. 

Charles Huff
Alabama Athletics

Charlie Strong Heading to Jacksonville 

Alabama analyst Charlie Strong is finalizing a deal to become Urban Meyer’s assistant head coach and linebackers coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

Stadium.com was the first to report that it was essentially a done deal. 

Strong was the head coach at South Florida (2017-19), where he led the Bulls to a 21-16 record, in addition to Texas (2014-16) and Louisville (2010-13).  

He was also the defensive coordinator, and interim head coach at Florida when Meyer was hired in 2004. Strong was the only assistant coach retained from Ron Zook's staff, and stayed with the Gators through the 2009 season as the associate or assistant head coach in addition to defensive coordinator.

Jeff Stoutland in the Mix for Possible Return the Crimson Tide

Nick Saban appears to be zeroing in on bringing former Alabama offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland back to Tuscaloosa, although there are conflicting reports on whether or not that will happen. 

Per Bruce Feldman of The Athletic, Stoutland is in the mix to return.

However, Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Inquirer says nothing imminent.

He tweeted: "My understanding is, of course he's up in the air, with the Eagles having no head coach. And Alabama is interested in bringing him back. But Stoutland is under contract and is not intent on leaving. Hasn't decided to leave."

Stoutland was Alabama's offensive line coach during the 2011-12 national championship seasons, with some calling the 2012 line maybe the best in college football history. In included first-round draft picks Chance Warmack and D.J. Fluker, and one of the most decorated players ever at Alabama, Barrett Jones.  

He subsequently joined the Eagles as the team's offensive line coach in the 2013 offseason and took on the added responsibility of run game coordinator during the 2018 offseason.

Additionally, there are numerous reports that Urban Meyer becomes the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, there’s a possibility that Alabama analyst Charlie Strong could join his staff. 

Jeff Banks Following Sarkisian

A third Crimson Tide assistant coach is headed to Austin. 

Special teams coordinator/tight ends coach Jeff Banks accepted a position on the Longhorns staff after Texas offered to give him a major raise. Per CBS Sports, Banks is believed to be the first $1 million-a-year special teams coach in college football history. 

Banks signed a three-year, $3.15 million deal with Texas with an opening salary of $1 million in 2021. He was paid $750,000 annually at Alabama. 

Banks is a Texas native and a huge reason why Alabama recruited the Lone Star State so well in the 2021 cycle, earning the commitments of seven players from that area. 

He was on staff at Alabama for three seasons. Before that he served the same role at Texas A&M from 2013-17.

Texas Flood Forecasted

ESPN reported Wednesday night that Kyle Flood was set be named offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Texas.

New head coach Steve Sarkisian is also hiring Crimson Tide offensive analyst A.J. Milwee as quarterbacks coach. Milwee spent seven seasons as Akron's offensive coordinator before coming to Alabama, where he had once been a walk-on player.

Flood and Sarkisian worked together for two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, before joining Nick Saban's coaching staff for 2019-20.

Sarkisian will still call offensive plays.

"I definitely want to be the play-caller. I will be the play-caller," Sarkisian told the Austin American-Statesman. "I made that mistake one year of my career [in 2015 at USC]. It won't happen again, not in the near future. But the reality of it is, part of the reason [athletic director Chris Del Conte] and the people at Texas liked me is because of the job I was doing as a play-caller. All of a sudden, why would I relinquish one of the best traits that I have?"

Bill O'Brien Expected to be Hired  

Bruce Feldman of The Athletic reported Monday that former Houston Texans and Penn State head coach Bill O'Brien is expected to be hired as Alabama's next offensive coordinator. 

The deal is expected to be announced over the next few days. 

Offensive line coach 

It looks like Nick Saban will be hiring more than one coach during the offseason. 

All indications are that offensive line coach Kyle Flood will be following Steve Sarkisian to Texas.

Nothing will be official until after Alabama plays in the National Championship Game on Monday, but then Sarkisian is expected to start naming additions to his coaching staff. 

Flood was with Sarkisian on the Atlanta Falcons coaching staff before both were hired at Alabama. He also boasts four years of head coaching experience, guiding the Rutgers Scarlet Knights from 2012-15. 

The Crimson Tide won the 2020 Joe Moore Award for the best offensive line unit in college football.  

Title Game the Priority

Nick Saban knowns a few things about hiring an offensive coordinator, and dealing with an outgoing coach while preparing for a national championship. 

Steve Sarkisian will stay on to help the Crimson Tide against Ohio State in the National Championship game in Miami Gardens, Fla. on Jan. 11, but then he takes over his new job as head coach at Texas. 

While he's beginning to put together a new staff with the Longhorns, Saban will be thinking about potential replacements. 

To take a couple of cues from previous situations, when the Crimson Tide was in the College Football Playoff in 2017, Jeremy Pruitt was hired as Tennessee's head head after the SEC Championship Game.  

Saban quickly hired Pete Golding for an undisclosed position, and had him around for the playoff games as an observer. Tosh Lupoi was eventually promoted as defensive coordinator, but Golding quickly took over the play-calling during the 2018 season. 

"We'll address the other staff issues when we get finished playing," Saban said before facing Clemson in the Sugar Bowl. "I don't have time right now to do a search, get ready for this game, recruit, have an early signing date and try to hire coaches, too. There's just not enough time in the day."

In 2018, Maryland hired Alabama offensive coordinator Mike Locksley the same week he was name the winner of the Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant coach. The move was announced Dec. 4, three days after Alabama defeated Georgia in the SEC Championship Game.

After the season ended with a thud in the National Championship Game, co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Josh Gattis departed for Michigan and Dan Enos, who appeared to be in line to be promoted, abruptly left to be Miami's offensive coordinator. 

When the Atlanta Falcons made some coaching changes in January 2019, Saban hired Sarkisian, who reportedly turned the opportunity to be the offensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals.   

With the NFL regular season having wrapped up Sunday, a lot of coaches on the move this week. 

Consequently, we're going to cautious with this tracker. Coaching searches are often fluid, and speculation can be little more than that, just someone speculating or an agent trying to get his client some attention.  

Names Linked to Alabama OC Opening 

Adam Gase: Entering the Saban coaching rehab program may be appealing to Gase, who was the head coach of the Dolphins (2016-18) and Jets (2019-20). Loyalty is huge to Saban. Gase began his coaching career under him at Michigan State, and then followed him to LSU in 2000. Gase began his career as a defensive coach, but really made a name for himself as the offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos, who set NFL record for points scored in 2013 and helped the team reach Super Bowl XLVIII. 

Bill O'Brien: Saban prefers his coordinators to have NFL experience, and O'Brien was the head coach of the Houston Texans from 2014-20. There's no direct Saban tie, but O'Brien used to be a coach for his friend Bill Belichick. He rose within the New England Patriots from offensive assistant in 2007 to wide receivers coach, quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator in 2011. O'Brien was the head coach at Penn State in 2012-13. He recently visited Tuscaloosa and could attend the National Championship Game on Monday.

Speculation On Who Might Be Considered 

Tom Herman 

Freddie Kitchens

Chip Long

Other Expected Coaching Moves

• Chip Brown of Horns247, who broke the story that Steve Sarkisian was in line to be hired at Texas, reported that Alabama offensive line coach Kyle Flood is expected to join Sarkisian’s staff. He'll have the title of offensive coordinator, but Sarkisian will continue to call the plays. 

• There have been reports that Sarkisian is also hoping to bring wide receivers coach Holmon Wiggins with him to Texas as well. 

This story will be updated as necessary

Published
Christopher Walsh
CHRISTOPHER WALSH

Christopher Walsh is the founder and publisher of BamaCentral, which first published in 2018. He's covered the Crimson Tide since 2004, and is the author of 26 books including Decade of Dominance, 100 Things Crimson Tide Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die, Nick Saban vs. College Football, and Bama Dynasty: The Crimson Tide's Road to College Football Immortality. He's an eight-time honoree of Football Writers Association of America awards and three-time winner of the Herby Kirby Memorial Award, the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s highest writing honor for story of the year. In 2022, he was named one of the 50 Legends of the ASWA. Previous beats include the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, along with Major League Baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks. Originally from Minnesota and a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, he currently resides in Tuscaloosa.

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