Report: Dan Mullen not a candidate for Alabama offensive coordinator job

You could almost hear the celebrations in Tuscaloosa when Bill O’Brien was named the new offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots. Somebody new will be stepping into the program, with the search seemingly being wide open for Alabama head coach Nick Saban.

There is one name that will not reportedly be a candidate. According to Chris Low of ESPN, former Mississippi State and Florida head coach Dan Mullen is not in the running for the Crimson Tide. Since leaving the Gators, he has been working with ESPN.

“In talking to several close to the situation, Dan Mullen is not a candidate for @AlabamaFTBL’s OC job,” Low said. “Mullen has enjoyed the time away from coaching to be with his family and also wants to concentrate on his TV career as a football analyst.”

Alabama will have a lot of candidates to choose from, with this being one of the more attractive jobs in America. O’Brien was brought down from the NFL ranks and Saban could go that route again if he so chooses.

But what we do know is Mullen is not going to be in the running. He was fired from Florida during the 2021 season and quickly grew into his role as an analyst for ESPN. Between doing play-by-play or working in the studio, Mullen has done well on television.

Bill O’Brien leaves Alabama to become Patriots OC

Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien is reportedly returning to the NFL. He’s taking over as the offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots, ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Chris Low reported Tuesday morning.

O’Brien has spent the last two years with the Crimson Tide, where he worked closely with Bryce Young and helped him become the first Alabama quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy in 2021. He’ll now return to New England, where he worked from 2007-11, and work with another former Crimson Tide star in Mac Jones.

The Patriots, who went 8-9 this season, took an interesting approach with play-calling this year as assistants Joe Judge and Matt Patricia split the duties.

For Nick Saban, the search is now on for two new coordinators after defensive coordinator Pete Golding left the program for Ole Miss earlier this offseason.