Consider Alabama's football program well-stocked again with offensive analysts.
Former Ole Miss co-offensive coordinator Dan Werner and former Los Angeles Rams quarterbacks coach Chris Weinke are aiding the Crimson Tide's five full-time offensive assistants headed by new coordinator Brian Daboll. Werner worked the past five seasons for Hugh Freeze's Rebels, while Weinke spent the last two seasons coaching in the NFL after serving the previous five years as the head coach at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., where he coached Alabama junior tailback Bo Scarbrough.
"These two guys, having coached in high school and in college, can certainly help a guy (Daboll) who's coached in the NFL to be able to balance some of the things that will help us have a well-rounded pro-style offense that has the college elements that you need to take advantage of some of the college rules," Alabama head coach Nick Saban said Tuesday night in a news conference.
The Crimson Tide held two-hour practice in full pads Tuesday afternoon, which was the fourth of 15 spring workouts for the three-time defending Southeastern Conference champions.
Werner and Weinke are replacing Mike Locksley and Steve Sarkisian, who served as analysts last season under former coordinator Lane Kiffin. Locksley is now the Tide's receivers coach and has the added title of co-offensive coordinator, while Sarkisian called the plays for Alabama in January's loss to Clemson in the national championship game and was set to do the same this season before leaving in early February to become offensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons.
"We learn a tremendous amount from all these guys," Saban said. "They're very much respected, and I think you need different types of people. We have guys who do nothing but break down film. We have guys who do nothing but draw plays, and we have other guys who can make contributions based on their knowledge and experience in formulating a game plan.
"It's a great learning experience for all of us."
Werner was a nominee for the Broyles Award in 2015, when Ole Miss led the SEC in total offense (517.8 yards a game) and scoring offense (40.8 points) and set school records with 6,731 yards, 531 points and 68 touchdowns. The Rebels averaged 32.6 points per game last season but only 10.8 during the second half, and they failed to produce a running game to consistently complement quarterbacks Chad Kelly and Shea Patterson.
Ole Miss has scored 43 points each of the past two seasons against Alabama, with the teams splitting those meetings.
"Do I need to tell our fans or anybody on our staff about the issues we've had with their offense the last couple of years?" Saban said. "It will help us on offense and defense to have a guy around here who can add some knowledge and experience with the way they do RPOs (run-pass options) and with some of the things they did in the passing game.
"I've always had a lot of respect for Dan, and we're certainly glad to have him here to help."
Weinke quarterbacked Florida State to the 1999 national championship and won the 2000 Heisman Trophy before spending six seasons with the Carolina Panthers and one with the San Francisco 49ers.
"The guy was a great player and played a long time in the league," Saban said. "He's very knowledgeable. He was a great high school coach at IMG. He went into the NFL and got a couple of good years of experience, and we just thought he would bring some knowledge and experience and would be helpful in helping us game plan."
Tide tidbits
Junior tailback Damien Harris sprained his foot during Saturday's indoor practice and missed Tuesday's workout, but Saban expects him back Thursday. ... Freshman running back Chadarius Townsend has worked some at slot receiver the past two practices. ... Saban: "We have limited the quarterback runs this spring, and we're really focused on trying to develop a better passing game."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.