Alabama head coach Nick Saban is shuffling things around on the offensive side of his coaching staff, and another addition is expected to be named soon, according to a new report. Former UCF offensive coordinator and running backs coach Brent Key is expected to be named Alabama's new offensive line coach, first reported by Sports Illustrated. With the addition, that means current Crimson Tide offensive line coach Mario Cristobal will move to coach the tight ends and tackles.
"The addition of Key would mean Alabama coach Nick Saban would have to move another current assistant to another role to comply with NCAA rules that limit an FBS coaching staff to nine assistants." SI reports.
Key was UCF's offensive line coach for six seasons, where he was additionally the recruiting coordinator for five years. Key was promoted to assistant head coach in 2012, and the Knights went 12-1 with star quarterback Blake Bortles. The Knights would go on to win the Fiesta Bowl and the American Athletic Conference championship in 2013. Key was not to retained on UCF's staff when former Oregon offensive coordinator Scott Frost was named the Knights' new head coach in December.
The shift in Tuscaloosa will perhaps take some getting used to — Cristobal has been a huge part of the Tide's offensive success, given he has coached the offensive line for the last three seasons.