Paul Finebaum slams Nick Saban, Alabama over offensive coordinator hiring

Not everybody is excited about Alabama's new offensive coordinator.

The Alabama Crimson Tide are going in a different direction offensively, as Nick Saban chose an under-the-radar name in Brian Daboll after employing both Lane Kiffin and Steve Sarkisian as the team's offensive coordinator. While the fan base seems okay with the move (provided Daboll utilizes the running game), not everyone is overjoyed and ESPN's Paul Finebaum seems to be in the underwhelmed camp.

After saying "I'm going to be cautious before I get too excited about this hire," Finebaum had the following to say during a podcast interview with JOX FM's The Opening Drive show:

"I'll say it, Saban is settling with Daboll. He's doing that because he's tired of dealing with the Lane Kiffins of the world. I think he's tired of running not only a great football program, the best in the country, but of running the kindergarten class in his coaching offices, so he wants someone who will come in and will do what he wants to do and I think it's really that simple.

"I frankly think it's a step backwards. I'm not second guessing Nick Saban... but I think it's a lackluster hire."

Finebaum has been known to take odd positions for the benefit of potential controversy and this could be another. Yes, Saboll isn't a sexy name along the lines of Kiffin or even Sarkisian, but this hire appears to be more aligned with the vision of the head coach and the personnel on the roster.

It remains to be seen as to whether the Daboll hire will work but this feels like Finebaum being Finebaum.

(Saturday Down South)