College football has evolved offensively over the years, but the University of Alabama knew when it was in good hands.
Jim McElwain started as the offensive coordinator in the Nick Saban era.
RELATED: Will Kalen DeBoer release an Alabama depth chart before first game?
He had the Crimson Tide mastering the running attack and play action pass game, en route to two BCS National Championships in 2009 and 2011.
McElwain also helped the Tide crown its first Heisman Memorial Trophy winner in Mark Ingram in 2009. Lane Kiffin gave Alabama’s offense an upgrade in 2014, making the Tide more attractive for dual threat quarterbacks.
He coached the offense to a College Football Playoff National Championship in 2015, three Southeastern Conference Championships (2014-16), and crowned Derrick Henry as the second Heisman winner in 2015. Brian Daboll and Michael Locksley pushed the Tide’s offense to a national title in 2017, but Steve Sarkisian was special in 2020. He had everyone — including Mac Jones, Najee Harris, DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, and John Metchie — producing. Sarkisian popped out three Heisman finalists, a Heisman winner (DeVonta Smith), an SEC Championship, and a CFP National Championship in 2020.
Is Nick Sheridan the next marquee offensive mind for the Tide?
He is in Tuscaloosa (Ala.) after having success at Indiana and Washington under Kalen DeBoer.
The 36-year-old was a quarterback at the University of Michigan. He started the development of Michael Penix at Indiana before reuniting with him at Washington.
Sheridan molded Penix into a two-time 4,000-yard passer for the Huskies and placed him as the No. 8 overall selection in the NFL Draft.
His offense at Washington positioned Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan to get drafted as well.
Sheridan inherits several talented pieces for Alabama, but will he put them in situations to excel?
DeBoer spoke Thursday about why hiring Sheridan was the right move. After dealing with Bill O’Brien and Tommy Rees, the Tide is in great hands with Sheridan. He’s been with DeBoer since 2019, and the Tide’s head coach calls Sheridan a ‘brilliant mind.’
RELATED: Alabama freshman WR has had a “smooth process” adapting to Crimson Tide’s culture
“He helped me bring our offense to Indiana in 2019,” DeBoer said about Sheridan. “He was that liaison, that set of ears that could decipher, evaluate, process with me what is going to be the smoothest way for us to make that happen. He did that also when we went to Washington. He has a big picture view. He understands the things you got to have for a successful offense. He knows the tools you need, the concepts, the wrinkles, the formations, he’s seen defenses and is able to mentally make decisions quick.”
DeBoer said he could see Sheridan was a ‘bright coach’ right away.
“Then, there is the personality side of him,” DeBoer said.
“He has great relationships with his team, great relationships with the coaches on the staff, he is a team player. I saw that really quickly. I know he’s got a bright future not just as an offensive coordinator, but as a head coach someday.”
Jalen Milroe loves Sheridan as his quarterback coach.
Sheridan, like Milroe, went through a marquee coaching change in his playing days at Michigan.
He went from Lloyd Carr to Rich Rodriguez, so he knows how to help Milroe maneuver from Saban to DeBoer. Sheridan challenges Milroe, yet he also allows the junior to be himself as a leader and playmaker. He has so many weapons at his disposal, and Sheridan is set to use a lot of them.
Germie Bernard, a transfer from Washington, told reporters that Alabama will score 40-plus points a game.
Sheridan will be creative in his scheme. This should a very entertaining year for the Tide’s offense.
*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 senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
