With Alabama offensive coordinator Mike Locksley accepting the head coaching job of the Maryland Terrapins, head coach Nick Saban needed to replace another coordinator on his staff. The position has become a revolving door in recent years, but the "next man up" mentality is leading to one of the Crimson Tide's strongest hires in a long time.
Current associate head coach and quarterbacks coach Dan Enos is expected to take over the offensive coordinator position for the 2019 season. While he's only spent one season in Tuscaloosa so far, he's made quite an impact grooming sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa into a Heisman Trophy finalist. Here are five quick facts to get to know Alabama's latest hire.
1. Graduate of Michigan State University
AP Photo/Barry Sweet
During his time with the Spartans from 1987-90, Enos completed 62.1 percent of his passes for 3,837 yards with 27 total touchdowns as a two-year starter. In those final two seasons in East Lansing, Enos won two bowl games and a share of the 1990 Big Ten Championship under head coach George Perles.
Enos received his business administration degree in 1991 before earning his Master's degree in sports administration in 2006. Enos still ranks fourth in school history in completion percentage, and his 14 rushing touchdowns are good enough for 13th all time.
2. He's Got a Famous Birthday
Born on July 1, 1968 and growing up in Dearborn, Michigan, the 50-year-old football coach shares a birthday with a few well-known celebrities and athletes:
— Carl Lewis, Nine-Time Olympic Gold Medalist
— Dan Akroyd, Actor
— Kent Bazemore, SG for the Atlanta Hawks
— Pamela Anderson, Actress
— Nelson Cruz, Six-Time MLB All-Star
— Missy Elliott, Singer/Producer
— Craig Krenzel, Won 2002 BCS Title as Ohio State's QB
3. Coached Five 3,000-Yard Passers
Known as a 'one of a kind QB whisperer,' the former quarterback himself has coached some of the most balance attacks in all of college football. The list of quarterbacks to hit the 3,000-yard mark under Enos' guidance includes Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama), Cooper Rush (Central Michigan), Ryan Radcliff (Central Michigan, three times), Austin Allen (Arkansas) and Brandon Allen (Arkansas). In addition, Enos helped quarterbacks Gino Guidugli at Cincinnati and Mark Novara from Lakeland College eventually land in their respective school's Hall of Fame.
During his four years as head coach of the Central Michigan Chippewas, Enos racked up a 26-36 record after taking over for Butch Jones. Enos' first stint as a head coach wasn't the most stellar, but the guy knows offensive football better than most in the NCAA.
4. Learned from the Best
AP Photo/Al Goldis
Despite just one season so far under Nick Saban, Dan Enos has learned from some incredible football minds throughout his career. He's coached under Glen Mason (who has 123 career wins) at Missouri State (1999), Mark Dantonio at both Cincinnati (2006) and Michigan State (2007-09), and Bret Bielema at Arkansas (2015-17).
While his Razorbacks connection with Bielema doesn't seem that impressive, consider this: In 2015 and 2016, Arkansas was one of two FBS programs that had a 3,000-yard passer and 1,300-yard rusher in those years, and they featured a different quarterback and running back each season. Balance is the name of the game for Dan Enos' SEC-style offenses.
5. He's Ready to Coach Right Now
With all the hype surrounding Alabama each year, there's really no one better suited to coach the Crimson Tide the Saban way. Enos is reserved, highly intelligent, and one hell of a football coach.
"Having to play against him when he was at Arkansas for the last few years, we were always very challenged by the system and the scheme and the things that they did," Saban said of Enos earlier this year. "So I guess I've always had a high opinion of him, but having to play against someone you develop even a greater respect for how they're doing what they do."
Mike Locksley plans to stay on the Crimson Tide staff as the team prepares for the College Football Playoff, but this will be Dan Enos' show in 2019, and you can guarantee this Alabama Crimson Tide offense will have no plans of slowing down behind their new leader.
