Since the speculation of sources last week, the University of Alabama is expecting to add Dan Enos on its coaching staff to serve as associate head coach and quarterbacks coach.
Enos, who has been around college football for 27 years (since 1991, graduate assistant at Michigan State University), recently accepted a role at wide receivers’ coach on Jim Harbaugh’s staff at University of Michigan prior to being swept away to Tuscaloosa to join Nick Saban.
While the tight end position has accomplished little success in the passing game under Jim McElwain, Doug Nussmeier, Lane Kiffin and Brian Daboll, Enos’ offensive prowess has the potential to take the unit to next level in the fall – especially rising standout Irv Smith Jr.
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 246 pounds, Smith carries the body type of former Crimson Tide tight end and first-round pick, O.J. Howard. Daboll got him involved some as a receiver in the 2017 season with 14 catches for 128 yards and three touchdowns through 14 matchups.
During his career at Central Michigan (2010-14) and Arkansas (2015-17), Enos produced marquee numbers from David Blackburn, Deon Butler, Hunter Henry and Jeremy Sprinkle.
In two seasons (2010-11) with Enos, Blackburn recorded 56 receptions for 764 yards and eight touchdowns while Butler had 30 catches for 424 receiving yards and a score at CMU in 2014.
At Arkansas, tight ends were heavy featured in play action.
Enos was paired with Hunter Henry for one season, but it was in 2015 where the Razorbacks averaged 465 yards of total offense and turned in an 8-5 record. Henry caught 51 passes for 739 receiving yards and three scores on an average of 14.49 yards per reception. Following his efforts, he was taken in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Jeremy Sprinkle was with Henry in 2015, snatching 27 passes for 389 yards receiving with six touchdowns on an average of 14.41 yards a catch. He ended his two years under Enos with 60 receptions for 769 yards and 10 scores, and would later be drafted by the Washington Redskins.
Despite assumptions placing Tua Tagovailoa as the Tide’s starting quarterback for next fall, whomever lines up in that spot will carry out a lot of play action, vertical shots downfield.
Enos’ scheme is predicated on finding holes in the zone and taking opportunities on different routes in space. This sets up well for all tight ends on Alabama’s roster, but Smith in particular seeing how he has grown as a blocker and has the capabilities of making plays on the field.
Spring practice shall be entertaining when the hire of Enos is official.
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.
