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Alabama makes it official with new analysts Derek Dooley, Nick McGriff

47377776_10156854436900775_2208546246019252224_nby:Clint Lamb•02/21/22•

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Alabama football has officially added not one, but two new off-field analysts to its growing staff. On Monday, it was discovered that former Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley, as well as Nick McGriff, are now listed on the school’s staff directory. The addition of Dooley was expected after reports last week, but McGriff was somewhat of a surprise.

Before coming over to Alabama, McGriff had been working with new special teams coordinator Coleman Hutzler at Ole Miss. The two were also together at South Carolina when McGriff was a long snapper under Hutzler from 2016-18. In other words, the two are being reunited for a third stint of working alongside one another.

That said, Dooley is the more recognizable name for most Alabama fans.

For the last two seasons, Dooley has been working as an offensive assistant and tight ends coach for the New York Giants. Prior to that, he spent two seasons as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Missouri. Yes, he’s done a lot of back and forth between the college and NFL levels since being fired from Tennessee back in 2012. But we at least know Nick Saban is familiar with him from their time together at LSU (2000-04) and with the Miami Dolphins (2005-06).

In his three seasons as Tennessee’s head coach, Dooley produced a 15-21 (.417) overall record. Not great, but he did do some really good things as Missouri’s offensive coordinator in 2018 when the Tigers finished No. 13 in the nation (No. 3 in the SEC) in total offense, averaging 481.8 yards per game. His offense also ranked No. 18 nationally in scoring that season after putting up 36.6 points per game. Unfortunately, production dipped in 2019 after starting quarterback Drew Lock left for the NFL.

Still, working under Saban at Alabama is the best place for Dooley to get his career back on track. It’s also the perfect opportunity for McGriff to continue moving forward in his young coaching career. Throw in the addition of former LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger as an off-field analyst, and the Crimson Tide have added some promising new football minds to work behind the scenes.

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