From the Sideline — Thoughts on Lane Kiffin and the Coaching Carousel

The Lane Kiffin hire at Alabama has drawn even more attention than I expected. While there’s no doubt that the names of Nick Saban and Kiffin have a lot to do with this, I think it’s also a product of the timing.

Fans are clinging to anything college football related right now, and with the dead period in recruiting, couple with National Signing Day still being three weeks off, its only natural this would dominate the headlines – especially in Alabama and Tennessee.

Now that Kiffin has officially landed at Alabama, speculation turns to the defensive side of the ball.

I hated to hear that Chris Rumph is leaving for Texas. I really liked him as a coach and a person. Georgia’s Chris Wilson is reportedly interviewing today for the spot as Tide’s new defensive line coach, but other names are prominently mentioned, as well.

Brick Haley is a Gadsden native who has done a good job at LSU. Marion Hobby is currently at Clemson, and played at Tennessee, but he is from Birmingham’s Shades Valley High School.

The fun name that continues to swirl is that of Ed Orgeron. Can you IMAGINE the stir if he too were to show up in Tuscaloosa?

I don’t think that one is likely. Although, if LSU were indeed to lose Haley to Alabama, I think Orgeron to LSU is a natural.

Of course, the interesting move now will be Georgia’s replacement for Todd Grantham as defensive coordinator. Much like Garrick McGee at UAB, Grantham left ahead of the posse’ to land on Bobby Petrino’s staff at Louisville.

David Gibbs, the current defensive coordinator at the University of Houston, is reportedly talking to Mark Richt about the same spot in Athens. However, the call to Kirby Smart, which always takes place when there is a DC vacancy at Georgia, is sure to be made again.

By no means do I think it is likely that Smart will return to his alma mater right now, but if he did, would Saban hand the reigns back over to the man who held the spot before Smart – Kevin Steele? If that option was on the table, it could explain why Steele turned down the DC spot at Louisville before Grantham was hired.

It’s always interesting to watch, but even more so right now.