Just when you thought Alabama's coaching problem couldn't get any worse, it suddenly escalated in a hurry.
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One day after co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Josh Gattis was hired to coach the offense of the Michigan Wolverines, and offensive line coach Brent Pry was added to Georgia Tech's staff, Alabama Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Dan Enos was reportedly hired in the same position with the Miami Hurricanes.
The offense is in very good hands. #WelcomeToTheU, @CoachDanEnos! https://t.co/dWlOQ3dsuI
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) January 11, 2019
Tuscaloosa, you officially have a problem.
Quarterbacks coach Dan Enos, who was supposed to become the fifth new offensive coordinator hire in four years on head coach Nick Saban's staff, was the best-available candidate in the Crimson Tide's facility. Former OC Mike Locksley accepted a head coaching job with the Maryland Terrapins after the SEC Championship Game, and the vacancy has yet to be filled.
Now that search will continue with the announcement of Enos heading to join head coach Manny Diaz's staff in south Florida. One of the biggest pieces of this entire puzzle? The door is now open for former Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts to follow Enos to South Beach as a graduate transfer in 2019.
The other big part of this is this adds to the likelihood of Jalen Hurts coming with him to the Canes. Bama staff has been effusive of Enos’ work developing Hurts as a passer/seeing the field as season wore on, as evidenced by SEC title game performance vs UGA. https://t.co/ax2Fi5J2bm
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) January 11, 2019
RELATED: Alabama's Quinnen Williams Could Rise to the Top of the NFL Draft
So, why are coaches continuing to bail on Alabama? The likes of Jim McElwain, Doug Nussmeier, Lane Kiffin, Steve Sarkisian, and Brian Daboll all served as OC under Saban, and they all left the program. The demanding work ethic required to survive in Alabama, and the allure of perceived "better" coaching opportunities, keeps the Crimson Tide from finding any sense of stability underneath their fearless leader.
Also, integral players from last year's team are jumping ship, including four key juniors — defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, running back Josh Jacobs, offensive tackle Jonah Williams, and tight end Irv Smith Jr. — who have declared for the NFL Draft. The problem isn't that these guys, all four of whom are legitimate NFL talents, are leaving. The problem is this team continues to turnover at a high rate with massive holes to fill. As three more coaches wave goodbye to the Alabama program, these underclassmen left behind NEED stability as they prepare for the 2019 season.
All of these moves complete one of the ugliest weeks in recent memory, and it all started with the 44-16 beatdown in the College Football Playoff National Championship game to Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers on Monday night.
Something isn't right at the University of Alabama. Sure, this program is primed with the top-ranked recruiting class once again ahead of the 2019 season, but this turnover is unnatural. Somehow, Alabama's 67-year-old head coach has to stop the bleeding and get this Tide offense back on track because the list of high-profile coaches on the market is shrinking by the day.
