Jim McElwain
Ex-UK assistant Tony Franklin’s hiring, and struggles have dominated the (bad) press coming out of Alabama, yet the cross-state Crimson Tide has the first-year offensive boss who has been a stellar success.
Jim McElwain came to Tuscaloosa from Fresno State, where he was offensive coordinator last year for the Bulldogs. But he has a Louisville connection. McElwain was on John L. Smith’s staff from 2000-2002. He coached the receivers before following Smith to Michigan State in 2003. When Smith got the East Lansing axe, McElwain landed with the Oakland Raiders as quarterbacks coach for a year. When the now-fired Lane Kiffin became Raiders coach, McElwain caught on with Fresno State.
On his Rap Sheet Blog, Ian Rapoport of the Birmingham News explores the process that led Saban to bring McElwain to Alabama. It’s an interesting examination, especially the fact that in most cases Saban has his entire staff interview incoming candidates for job.
What’s been fascinating about this Alabama offense is its old-school aspect. Rich Brooks keeps using terms like “bludgeon” and “bloody your nose” to describe the Tide attack. It relies on physical football. Bama’s offensive line is outstanding. It boasts loads of experience and tremendous size. None of the five starters, all juniors and seniors, weighs less than 300 pounds. As a group, it moves people off the line of scrimmage, and poses a tremendous challenge for a Kentucky defensive line that has proven formidable thus far.
The style fits Saban’s no-nonsense personality, but credit for the execution belongs to McElwain. ESPN’s SEC blogger Chris Low doles out the credit in his Week 5 awards:
Lot of reasons to go with Alabama head coach Nick Saban or Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt here. Both are deserving, but McElwain’s offense in the first half against Georgia set the tone for that win. His play calling was terrific, whether it was a key screen pass or a third-down draw play on the goal line for a touchdown. Most importantly, Alabama’s offense looked like a machine in that first half and seemingly did whatever it wanted to do. It’s also obvious that McElwain has been a steadying influence for senior quarterback John Parker Wilson, who’s playing smart football right now.
