TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts during the second half of the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Alabama to pair new co-offensive coordinator with Steve Sarkisian

Alabama had some replacing to do after Lane Kiffin left for FAU.

When it was reported a week ago that assistant Mike Locksley would be staying with Alabama and not heading to Florida, it was expected that the Crimson Tide would be giving him a lofty promotion. It looks like that promotion has come to fruition.

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According to FOX Sports' Bruce Feldman, Locksley will be promoted to co-offensive coordinator to work with Steve Sarkisian. Both Locksley and Sarkisian had spent most of the 2016 season as "offensive analysts" for the Crimson Tide, but now both are the school's top offensive coaches.

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Locksley was previously the offensive coordinator at Maryland under Randy Edsall before he joined Alabama last season. He also has previous head coaching experience with New Mexico back from 2009 to 2011.

Few teams have had to deal with assistant coaching turnover like Alabama has in the past few years, but Nick Saban has always found new coaches to replace the departing ones. It now looks like it is Locksley and Sarkisian's turns to rise up in the Alabama coaching machine.