Sheridan, Shephard Will Share Alabama Offensive Coordinator Job

The former Husky coaches received promotions following Ryan Grubb's departure.

Coach Kalen DeBoer has promoted Nick Sheridan and JaMarcus Shephard to offensive coordinators and co-defensive coordinator at Alabama, in a shuffling of former University of Washington assistant coaches in hopes they can add up to one Ryan Grubb.

On Tuesday, Sheridan and Shephard were given added responsibilities to their respective tight-end and wide-receiver coaching duties in the wake of the highly regarded Grubb leaving Tuscaloosa after just a few weeks to become the Seattle Seahawks' offensive coordinator.

Sheridan and Shephard are no strangers to working in an OC capacity, both logging time in that role in the Big Ten.

Replacing DeBoer as Indiana's play-caller in 2020, Sheridan had one productive season and another that didn't go well at all before getting fired. On the rebound, he ended up coaching tight ends at the UW in 2022. 

Before joining the Huskies, Shephard spent five seasons coaching at Purdue, the last four as a co-offensive coordinator.

"Nick and JaMarcus are both fantastic coaches and we are excited to have them join us at Alabama," DeBoer said. in a statement. "They have experience in our offense and they know what we're trying to accomplish on that side of the football. They both bring passion and enthusiasm to their work."

A former Michigan quarterback, Sheridan has been fairly straightforward about his stint as the Indiana offensive coordinator, which for him involved losing quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to season-ending injuries in consecutive years. 

"Facts are facts, and I was a 2-10 offensive coordinator last year,'' Sheridan told the Sports Illustrated network in 2022. "I was a 6-2 coordinator the year before, but I was a 2-10 coordinator last year and, like they say, you are what your record says you are. Sure, we had a lot of injuries, but again, I'm not making excuses. Regardless of the experience level of the guys that had to play, it was my job to get them ready. And that was hard.

"We didn't do a very good job of that. None of us did. When you go 2-10, no one can say they did a good job, and that includes me.''

JaMarcus Shephard will share offensive-coordinator duties at Alabama with Nick Sheridan :: Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports

Sheridan will get a chance to redeem himself as an OC with a Crimson Tide offense that has significantly more talent than he worked with in the Big Ten, including returning starting quarterback Jalen Milroe.

For the past two seasons, he had a positive experience with the Huskies in coaching the tight ends, among them NFL-bound Jack Westover and Devin Culp, plus Josh Cuevas, the latter transferring from the UW to Alabama just this week.  

Sheridan understands the pressure that comes with a coordinator role at the SEC school.

"There is an unmatched legacy at Alabama, and I understand the importance of upholding that standard while developing our players," Sheridan said in a statement.

The highly personable Shephard will hold the busy title of assistant head coach, co-offensive coordinator and receivers coach. 

Likewise, he coached a highly productive group of UW receivers, possibly the best in the nation. Some think he's a head coach in the making. 

"The chance to help Coach DeBoer continue the standard at Alabama is something I take a lot of pride in working to accomplish," Shephard said "This is a special place and I am excited about the opportunities that are in front of us."

Sheridan and Shephard are all that remain of the UW coaches who DeBoer tried to bring with him to Alabama. Offensive-line coach Scott Huff and Grubb both have joined the Seahawks, while William Inge, a Husky co-defensive coordinator who was pegged to become the Crimson Tide linebackers coach, instead will coach at Tennessee in the latter role.

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