He’s officially the next man up.
University of Alabama football head coach Nick Saban hired Mike Locksley as a full-time offensive assistant Monday, according to a press release from UA’s athletic department of communications. Locksley takes over for the departed Mario Cristobal, who accepted a coaching position at the University of Oregon.
“We are excited to add Mike Locksley to our staff as an assistant coach on the offensive side of the football,” Saban said. “He is an outstanding offensive mind who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as both a head coach and offensive coordinator. Mike is also one of the best recruiters in the nation and will be an excellent addition to our staff. His time as an analyst with us over the past season should also ensure a smooth transition and a full understanding of how our organization operates.”
While serving as an offensive analyst in 2016, Locksley had his hand in assisting the Crimson Tide to an SEC-best 38.8 points and 455.3 yards a game. Alabama earned a conference championship, a Peach Bowl Trophy and its second trip to the College Football Playoff national title game. Before his arrival to Tuscaloosa, Locksley was a head coach at both University of Maryland (2015, interim) and University of New Mexico (2009-11).
He spent time at running backs coach, recruiting coordinator, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach during his tenures at Maryland (1998-02, 2012-15), University of Florida (2003-04) and University of Illinois (2005, 2006-08). Locksley has over 20 years of knowledge on offense, with his best seasons occurring in 2008 with Illinois and 2013 at Maryland. The 2013 Terrapins eclipsed 5,000 yards of total offense for only the fourth time in program history, while accounting for 3,231 yards passing (third most all-time).
In Maryland’s first year in the Big Ten, the offense averaged the most points in the past four seasons. During the 2008 season, the Illini led the Big Ten Conference in passing (3,232 yards) and improved from No. 72 nationally to No. 19 in total offense. Illinois led the conference in rushing in 2006 and 2007.
“I want to thank Coach Saban and The University of Alabama for this opportunity,” Locksley said. “I can’t wait to get back out on the football field and the recruiting trail as we turn our attention to the 2017 season. I have always appreciated the storied history of the Alabama football program, but the chance to spend the past year looking at the program from the inside out really showed me why this place is so special.”
Locksley’s coaching career began at Towson in 1992, followed by two seasons at the U.S. Naval Prep School.
He coached outside linebackers at University of Pacific in 1995, before starting his offensive evolution at Army in 1996 as a receivers and tight ends coach. The 47-year-old is now a hands-on member of “The Process.”
***All information comes via press release from UA’s athletic department of communications***
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.
