Nick Saban gave his stamp of approval on Brian Daboll.
As the NFL season comes to a close, seven head coaching positions are open. Seven franchises are hopeful that the next person in charge will be the one to turn things around.
Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll will have the chance to be one of them should a team come calling.
In three seasons, Daboll transformed one of the league’s most polarizing players into a franchise superstar. One season after being drafted out of Wyoming, Josh Allen looked to be a lost cause. Two years and constant late nights with Daboll later, he’s now playing at an MVP-caliber level.
For Daboll, the transformation of Allen and the Bills’ offense should be enough to garner attention towards becoming a head coach. If that doesn’t, his time working with Bill Belichick and Nick Saban will only help matters.
Although he only spent one season with the Crimson Tide, Saban already is certain the next franchise that gives Daboll a chance won’t regret it.
Nick Saban gives the seal of approval on Daboll’s outlook.
“Brian’s an outstanding coach. He’s very industrious and a hard-worker” Saban told FanSided on behalf of the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards presentation. “He came up the hard way in this profession by starting out as a GA for us at Michigan State.”
Daboll spent nine seasons with Belichick following his departure from East Lansing under Saban. Helping the Patriots’ offense achieve new heights, New England won five of their six Super Bowls while Daboll was on staff.
The 45-year-old returned to work with Saban in Tuscaloosa as the Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator in 2017. Alabama finished in the top-five in near every statical offensive category that year while then under the direction of Jalen Hurts. Thanks to a halftime change to Tua Tagovailoa and a shot in overtime, the Crimson Tide won the title.
“He did a great job for us as a coordinator during a national championship team and he is a good teacher,” Saban said. “He’s bright, he’s a good play-caller and he puts together a really good game plan to utilize the personnel that he has.
“I see him developing into a very, very good head coach.”
Saban’s compliments are near gold for anyone needing a boost in resume. With Alabama, Daboll managed the development of both Hurts and Tagovailoa, two players who could be starters in the NFL come 2021.
Throw in Allen’s production and all three players might be his ticket in becoming the next Saban assistant that finds success on his own path.
“One of the things that’s always interesting is how did he manage the group that he was responsible for when he was a coordinator because that’s really all you can judge somebody on” Saban said. “He really did a great job here and he’s done a great job in Buffalo when he’s been the coordinator in those two spots.
“That’s probably the best indicator of how he’ll do as a head coach.”
Coach Saban spoke with FanSided on behalf of the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards, presented by Marathon Oil. For more Information or to donate, please visit BryantAwards.org