Former Alabama assistant coach Doug Marrone reveals what's next for him

After one year at Alabama, Doug Marrone is moving on. But where?

He addressed that question during a high school coaches clinic near Syracuse on Friday. Marrone said he’s not sure what’s next, but confirmed he has three directions he could go.

“Former Alabama OL coach Doug Marrone is speaking at a high school coaches clinic today near Syracuse,” AL.com’s Mike Rodak tweeted. “He said he has yet to make a decision on his next job but has three options.”

Marrone was Alabama’s offensive line coach this season after six seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, including four as head coach. Rumors are swirling about what’s next for him, but ESPN’s Chris Low reported he’s planning to return to the NFL. It’s unclear what team Marrone would join or in what capacity.

Marrone has a wealth of coaching experience, including head coaching stints at Syracuse and with the Buffalo Bills. He has also coached offensive line at Georgia, Georgia Tech and with the New York Jets over his career.

Alabama recently hired Eric Wolford as its new offensive line coach, meaning Marrone is officially not returning next year.

Landing spot emerges for exiting Alabama assistant Doug Marrone

Doug Marrone, who spent the last season as the Alabama Crimson Tide offensive line coach, appears to have been replaced by Kentucky’s Eric Wolford, according to a report. And now, a return to the NFL seems like a possibility for the former NFL head coach.

“Would not be surprising to see Doug Marrone land with the Denver Broncos, where his former offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is now head coach,” Mike Rodak of AL.com suggested. “Hackett served under Marrone at Syracuse, the Bills and the Jaguars.”

Hackett, who has a history with Marrone, last served as the offensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers. This offseason, however, he left Green Bay in favor of Denver, where he was named head coach, marking his first NFL head coaching job.

Marrone, 57, has made several stops at both the college and NFL ranks before he landed at Alabama in 2021. He spent just one season as Alabama’s offensive line coach; past college stops include a four-year stint as Syracuse’s head coach, his alma mater, a one-year stint as tight ends and offensive tackles coach at Tennessee in 2001, and a one-year stint as Georgia’s offensive line coach in 2000, among several other stops.

Marrone got his first NFL job in 2002 with the New York Jets, where he spent four seasons as the Jets offensive line coach. Then, he moved from New York to New Orleans, joining the Saints as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach in 2006. He’s also served as head coach of the Buffalo Bills for two seasons, and Jacksonville Jaguars for four and a half years, including a half-year spent as interim head coach.