Alabama is searching for another offensive coordinator. Steve Sarkisian is leaving Tuscaloosa for the Atlanta Falcons, meaning Nick Saban will have to fill the position Sarkisian accepted when Lane Kiffin left to become head coach at FAU. Here are a handful of early candidates, listed alphabetically.
GEORGE GODSEY
Current position: None
Former positions:
2015-16 – Houston Texans offensive coordinator
2014 – Houston Texans quarterbacks coach
2012-13 – New England Patriots tight ends coach
2011 – New England Patriots offensive assistant
2009-10 – Central Florida running backs coach
2005-08 – Central Florida quarterbacks coach
2004 – Central Florida graduate assistant
MARK HELFRICH
Current position: None
Former positions:
2013-16 – Oregon head coach
2009-12 – Oregon quarterbacks, offensive coordinator
2006-08 – Colorado quarterbacks, offensive coordinator
2003-05 – Arizona State quarterbacks coach, passing game coordinator
2001-02 – Arizona State quarterbacks coach
1998-00 – Boise State quarterbacks coach
1997 – Oregon graduate assistant
1996 – Southern Oregon running backs coach
CHIP KELLY
Current position: None
Former positions:
2016 – San Francisco 49ers head coach
2013-15 – Philadelphia Eagles head coach
2009-12 – Oregon head coach
2007-08 – Oregon offensive coordinator
1999-06 – New Hampshire offensive coordinator
1997-98 – New Hampshire offensive line coach
1994-96 – New Hampshire running backs coach
1993 – Johns Hopkins defensive coordinator
1992 – New Hampshire running backs coach
1991 – Outside linebackers and safeties coach
1990 – Columbia defensive backs and special teams coach
1988-89 – Nevada conditioning coach
ERIC KIESAU
Current position: Boise State wide receivers coach
Former positions:
2016 – Fresno State offensive coordinator (interim head coach final four games)
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 Lane 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. 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 assistant
Former positions:
2016 – Alabama offensive analyst
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. His time already spent at Alabama would help him step in quickly both as a coordinator and as a recruiter for the Crimson Tide.
RICK NEUHEISEL
Current position: CBS Sports analyst
Former positions:
2008-11 – UCLA head coach
2007 – Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator
2005-06 – Baltimore Ravens quarterbacks coach
1999-02 – Washington head coach
1995-98 – Colorado head coach
1994 – Colorado offensive coordinator
1990-93 – UCLA wide receivers coach
1988-89 – UCLA quarterbacks coach
1986 – UCLA graduate assistant
