After losing Billy Napier to Arizona State University (offensive coordinator), Alabama has now located its new wide receivers coach. Per sources close to the program, Touchdown Alabama Magazine has learned that Nick Saban has awarded the position to current on-field assistant Mike Locskley.
Locksley has been coaching players throughout the Crimson Tide’s fourth quarter offseason program, while spending time with wide receivers and quarterbacks. In his 20-plus years of offensive experience, he mentored Arrelious Bend (Illinois), Stefon Diggs (Maryland) and Deon Long (New Mexico) into being marquee weapons. Both Bend and Diggs are currently in the National Football League.
Alabama returns a wealth of targets on the perimeter, including Calvin Ridley, Cam Sims and Trevon Diggs.
Following a 1,000-yard season in 2015, Ridley totaled a team-high 72 catches for 769 yards and seven touchdowns last season. To pair with its returners, the Tide signed five-star Jerry Jeudy and four-star Tyrell Shavers in its 2017 recruiting class. Locksley will have a plethora of talent to work with starting in March.
He was promoted to co-offensive coordinator prior to Steve Sarkisian leaving. Throughout the Tide’s fourth quarter offseason program, Locksley has been seen working with quarterbacks and wide receivers.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
