It did not take long for rumors to spout on the possibility of Josh Gattis joining Michael Locksley’s coaching staff at University of Maryland. After accepting the position this week, the Washington D.C. native wants the best coach from Nick Saban’s staff to bring with him.
While he has become the hottest wide receivers’ coach and offensive mind on the market, these rumors involving Gattis to Maryland are quickly being shut down.
According to a report from Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports, he said the rumors are “not even close to accurate.”
Sources very close to #Alabama co OC Josh Gattis just told me the report of him going to #Maryland is not even close to accurate.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 6, 2018
In his first season at Alabama, the 34-year-old has taken a talented group of receivers and has made it arguably the most elite bunch in college football.
Five players have at least 500 yards receiving – Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith and Irv Smith Jr. — with Jeudy leading the group at 1,103 yards and 12 touchdowns on 59 catches in 13 games.
Waddle, a true freshman, won Freshman of the Year from the Southeastern Conference as he accounts for 803 yards receiving with seven scores on 41 receptions. The duo of Jeudy and Ruggs have been re-writing records all season, especially with Jeudy being third all-time in school history for yards in a season and second in touchdowns (Amari Cooper, 16 in 2014).
RELATED: Josh Gattis’ demanding tactics strikes chord with Alabama receivers
Before arriving in Tuscaloosa, Gattis produced 18 guys that collected at least 500 yards receiving in his stints at Western Michigan, Vanderbilt and Penn State – including the likes of Chris Godwin, Jordan White and Jordan Matthews (twice) that each turned in 1,000-yard seasons.
His acumen with recruiting, social media and getting the best out of players has even helped the confidence of Crimson Tide sophomore quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. Under Gattis’ leadership over receivers, Tagovailoa is one of three finalists for the Heisman Memorial Trophy.
With his other hat being “co-offensive coordinator,” he has assisted Tagovailoa to 3,353 passing yards with 37 touchdowns to four interceptions. Promoting Dan Enos to offensive coordinator is the obvious move for Saban; however, a much needed one is to keep Gattis.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber only content!*
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.
