Aside from Kirby Smart, who had a lion’s share of time at defensive coordinator from 2007 to 2015 for Alabama, there’s never been a moment in the Nick Saban era where both offensive and defensive play callers have been hired within the program.
A change took place this offseason with Saban deciding to trust Michael Locksley and Tosh Lupoi, in promoting both men to marquee roles. Prior to Locksley, Alabama has had Major Applewhite, Jim McElwain, Doug Nussmeier, Lane Kiffin and Brian Daboll run the offense.
The 48-year-old has been on the offensive side of the ball since 1996 (Army) and was able to produce quite a few talented players – including quarterback Juice Williams (Illinois), wide receiver Arrelious Bend (Illinois) and wide receiver Stefon Diggs (Maryland).
While he arrived in Tuscaloosa as an analyst in 2016, Locksley’s influence was critical in the development of Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa last season as the program earned its fifth national championship under Saban. After scheming offenses at both Illinois and Maryland, Locksley will attempt to help this Tide group become one of nation’s most explosive units.
“Well, I think Michael Locksley has a wealth of experience,” Saban said Wednesday at SEC media days. “He’s been a coordinator for a long time. He’s been in our system. He’s made great contribution in our program recruiting as well as how he impacts players, and he has experience being a head coach and a coordinator at other places where he’s had a tremendous amount of success. So, we’re very, very confident that he will do a great job, and the players have responded extremely well to Mike. And I have a lot of confidence in Mike.”
Multiple players, especially running back Damien Harris, made their request for Locksley to coach the offense during Alabama’s offseason search to replace Daboll. In recent conversations with various sources, the main thing yours truly of Touchdown Alabama Magazine came away with on the Washington, D.C. native is that “he knows he stuff” and that “he’s full of energy.”
“For us as players, we were rooting for him,” Alabama offensive lineman Ross Pierschbacher said of Locksley. “Once that spot opened up, we were like ‘Coach Locksley would be awesome for it.’ He deserved a chance and we were excited for him to get that spot. He just brings a new juice and the players respect him a lot. You want to hang out with him, talk with him and that is something we really enjoy.”
Alabama defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi coaching former Tide linebacker Tim Williams during 2016 CFP title game (2015 season), Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports
When it comes to Tosh Lupoi, this will be his first time calling sets on defense.
He was a defensive line coach at both University of Washington and University of California, Berkeley, but it will be a challenge for him coming behind Smart and Jeremy Pruitt. As a recruiter, the 36-year-old has established himself as one of college football’s elite coaches.
In fact, Lupoi was primary in Alabama landing Tagovailoa, running back Najee Harris and linebackers Dylan Moses and Christopher Allen for the 2017 class. He started as a defensive recruiting intern in 2014 and quickly became one of the more likable guys on the staff.
Outside linebackers Jamey Mosley and Terrell Lewis (knee) get excited when Lupoi’s name in dropped in conversations and in his interview on Wednesday, junior Anfernee Jennings said there’s no difference between Lupoi and Pruitt — besides the individual running the operation.
“Both guys love the players and both are energetic,” Jennings said.
“They make you want to come to work every day and play football for them. Both guys were on the same staff last year and they were on the same page. I feel like it will be much of the same style on defense.”
Wide receivers coach Josh Gattis will provide input to Locksley on things concerning the offense, but Lupoi may benefit more with Pete Golding at co-defensive coordinator.
Coming from University of Texas-San Antonio, Golding has strong relationships with players and his scheme with the Roadrunners was productive in 2017, seeing how it allowed just 17 points per game. Golding coached up a first-round pick in defensive end Marcus Davenport, who the New Orleans Saints selected 14th overall in this year’s NFL Draft.
He led the team in sacks with 8.5 and totaled 17 tackles for loss. UTSA would also post 13 interceptions a season ago, with four coming from defensive back Nate Gaines.
No one will ever argue that Saban is the ultimate mind on defense; nevertheless, having Lupoi and Golding together takes a lot of stress off him. He was known for stepping outside the institution to get his million-dollar guys, but something about Locksley and Lupoi has made Alabama’s five-time national championship head coach feel secure in his latest move.
The duo is ready to draw much attention this fall.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
