Alabama coach Nick Saban said Tuesday it was an “ongoing process” to find a replacement for offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, who was named head coach in Texas a week ago.
Former Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien has been targeted by Saban and is considered a prime candidate for the vacancy, sources for ESPN’s Chris Low said.
Saban planned to discuss the position with several candidates, sources said.
“I can’t make predictions about our staff,” Saban told reporters Tuesday morning after Alabama defeated Ohio State to win the National College Football Playoff Championship. “I think we have a great staff. I like the chemistry of our staff. We are happy for Sark. I don’t know what other opportunities there will be for our coaches. We just have to wait and see. I can’t answer that.
“It’s an ongoing process for us to find the right offensive coordinator. We’re definitely in the process of doing that.”
If Saban brings in O’Brien as Sarkisian’s replacement, this will be the second time Saban has looked for an offensive coordinator who has previously worked with longtime friend and New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. The last was former Patriots coach Brian Daboll in 2017.
O’Brien served as an assistant to Belichick’s Patriots 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 subsequent NCAA sanctions.
O’Brien went 15-9 in two seasons at Penn State before being hired as the Texans’ head coach. He was promoted to general manager before the 2020 season, but was fired after a 0-4 start.
O’Brien was on campus last week and spent time around the program as Alabama prepared for the national championship game.
Anyone who replaces Sarkisian will have a high standard.
In two seasons of play, Sarkisian oversaw an offense that averaged 47.8 points and 526.6 yards per game.
ESPN’s Chris Low contributed to this story.