College football insider suggests former Josh Heupel assistant could land with a top Tennessee rival
The Alabama Crimson Tide need a new offensive coordinator after losing Bill O'Brien to the New England Patriots and a former Josh Heupel assistant could be in the mix. College Football insider John Brice, of FootballScoop.com, said during an appearance on 104.5 The Zone's Blaine and Mickey this week that he's heard Oklahoma offensive coordinator […]
The Alabama Crimson Tide need a new offensive coordinator after losing Bill O'Brien to the New England Patriots and a former Josh Heupel assistant could be in the mix.
College Football insider John Brice, of FootballScoop.com, said during an appearance on 104.5 The Zone's Blaine and Mickey this week that he's heard Oklahoma offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby's name connected to the offensive coordinator opening in Tuscaloosa.
"Offensively, obviously Jeff Lebby is the name that I think we've all heard," said Brice on Thursday. "Certainly I've heard his name consistently. Even before the Bill O'Brien news was formalized this week, we'd been told last week that O'Brien's office was empty…so Lebby is a name I would watch."
Brice also pointed out former Nebraska head coach Scott Frost, who proceeded Heupel as the head coach at UCF, as an option that he's heard.
Lebby played at Oklahoma, so it could be tough to get him to leave Norman. But it's tough for anyone to say no to Nick Saban and Alabama.
I'm skeptical, however, that Saban would move toward a Heupel/veer-n-shoot style of offense. Saban has always been willing to evolve, but that would be a step in a completely new direction for Saban. And I'm not sure he thinks he needs to run that type of offense to win games in the SEC.
That's why I also think Lebby could pass on Alabama (if offered) — he might not have full control over the offense.
It's going to be an interesting hire whoever it is. Anytime Saban hires a new offensive coordinator it tells us exactly what direction he wants to the program to take.
Featured image via Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
