Alabama coach Nick Saban said Tuesday it is an “ongoing process” to find a replacement for offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, who was named head coach in Texas a week ago.
Former Houston head coach Bill O’Brien has been targeted by Saban and is considered an excellent candidate for the vacancy, sources told ESPN’s Chris Low.
Saban was planning to talk to several candidates about the post, sources said.
“I can make no predictions about our staff,” Saban told reporters on Tuesday morning after Alabama beat Ohio State to win the College Football Playoff National Championship. “I think we have a wonderful staff. I like the chemistry in our staff. We are happy for Sark. I do not know what other opportunities there will be for our coaches. We’ll just have to wait and see. I can not answer that.
“It’s an ongoing process for us to find the right offensive coordinator. We are definitely doing it.”
If Saban were to bring in O’Brien as Sarkisian’s replacement, it would be the second time Saban has sought an attacking coordinator who has worked with Bill Belichick, a longtime friend and head coach of the New England Patriots. The last was former Patriots coach Brian Daboll in 2017.
O’Brien was an assistant to Belichick’s Patriots staff from 2007 to 2011 before taking over as head coach at Penn State, where he helped rebuild the program following the Jerry Sandusky scandal and the ensuing NCAA sanctions.
O’Brien led 15-9 in two seasons at Penn State before being appointed as the head coach of the Texans. He was promoted to general manager before the 2020 season, but was sacked after a 0-4 start.
O’Brien was on campus last week and spent time on the program while Alabama prepared for the national championship game.
Whoever replaces Sarkisian will have a high standard to meet.
In two seasons, Sarkisian oversaw a foul that averaged 47.8 points and 526.6 yards per game.
ESPN’s Chris Low contributed to this story.