So far, I'm hearing that Kirby Smart has signed on to coach defensive backs, and Bobby Williams will be the new running backs coach. Both were with him in Miami. That puts the staff so far as follows:
Kevin Steele - Defensive Coordinator Lance Thompson - TBD Kirby Smart - Defensive backs Bobby Williams - Running backs
Searles left LSU for Georgia. I have a feeling we can do better than him. I have heard Steve Marshall's (from the Houston Texans) name thrown out for the offensive line coaching position.
Travis Jones, the Dolphins' defensive line coach, is a candidate to take that position at Alabama. Another possibility is Todd Stroud, who was the assistant head coach and defensive line coach at North Carolina State. He coached under Terry Bowden at Samford for 8 years, then followed him to Auburn for one year before leaving.
Mississippi State running backs coach Shane Beamer has interviewed for the special teams position.
As far as recruiting goes...if you want to see an immediate impact, how about the fact that Alabama wasn't even a remote interest to #1 nationally ranked running back / athlete Joe McKnight, but now he wants to come visit and talk to Coach Saban. He says Alabama's high on his list now. THAT is an immediate impact.
Also, for the ground rules that Nick has already laid out -- The Montgomery Advertiser is saying that Saban has told them, effective immediately, the media cannot speak to freshmen or assistant coaches. He said the University needs "one voice" right now, and that he will be that voice.
¶ 10:45 AM
