Roll Tide Rumor Mill: Nick Saban Has His Coordinators For 2023
The search is over.
The wait is done.
Alabama fans can rejoice.
Well, sort of.
The Alabama Crimson Tide has apparently settled on its coordinators for the 2023 season.
Welcome to the fourth edition of the Roll Tide Rumor mill: Nick Saban Has His Coordinators.
Read More: Roll Tide Rumor Mill; What's the Fate of Bill O'Brien and Pete Golding
Read More: Golding's Gone, Who Does Bama Bring in as Defensive Coordinator?
Read More: Roll Tide Rumor Mill; All Quiet on The Crimson Front
First, please remember coaching searches are fluid. However, it seems as if Nick Saban has made his selections for both offensive and defensive coordinators for next season.
Saban interviewed many offensive coaches throughout the process, but on Thursday the search seemed to zero in on current Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees.
The former Fighting Irish quarterback is just 30-year-old but has been coaching at his alma mater for the last six years. Rees was on campus in Tuscaloosa on Thursday and rumor has it he has been offered the job.
It is important to note that on Wednesday at a Red Elephant Club meeting Saban apparently told the group that there would be multiple interviews with people that the public won't even know about. Is all the smoke around Rees on Thursday just to throw the public off the scent or will he be announced in the coming hours as the new offensive coordinator?
Saban also allegedly told the group that the fan base's constant criticism of each candidate has made it difficult to generate interest in the positions. He emphasized that he would me making the best decision for the program and that the fans should be supportive of the program by supporting his decision making.
What does that mean for the Crimson Tide? Is he preparing the room for an unpopular decision?
The tea leaves say yes.
Rumor has it that the fan's top choice for defensive coordinator, Jeremy Pruitt, has been passed over for the position. It's understandable given the uncertainty around his NCAA status and his current legal battle with another school in the conference.
The NCAA won't rule on Tennessee and Pruitt's status for several months and the Tide just couldn't afford to bring him in as defensive coordinator without knowing his status and capabilites.
Where does that leave the Alabama defense? Rumor has it, back to the analyst room and promoting Todd Grantham to defensive coordinator.
Grantham has been in coaching for 32 years and has spent 15 years as a defensive coordinator at both the college and professional levels. He's known for brining heavy pressure on defense and creating turnovers, however, his defenses have had a history of a short term boost in numbers, followed by a long term decline in performance.
Saban is very familiar with Grantham's work as he worked for him at Michigan State as associate head coach and defensive line coach. The pair reunited this past season Grantham joined the Alabama staff as an analyst.
How would the fans respond to a pairing of Rees and Grantham? Saban apparently told the Red Elephant Club that he didn't care what the fan's opinions are of who he hires.
Time will tell if these rumors turn to facts but expect these vacancies to be filled very soon now that the January recruiting period has concluded.
Stay tuned to Tide100.9 FM as we continue to bring you coverage of the offensive and defensive coordinator search.