Candidates to Replace Les Miles at LSU
By Scotty Nola
Major College Program Assistants: The Alabama Connection
Nov 14, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Kirby Smart during the game against Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
The two hottest assistants in the country right now are both Alabama assistants. One you know all about, long time Alabama Defensive Coordinator Kirby Smart. The other may come as a surprise, Alabama Offensive Line Coach Mario Cristobal.
Kirby Smart is well-known as one of the top recruiters in the country, and his defenses have consistently been highly ranked and shown up big in big games.
The main kick against Smart is his lack of success outside of Nick Saban’s shadow. He has been a Saban assistant for over a decade.
It is difficult to know who is designing which part of Alabama’s defense, Kirby Smart or former NFL defensive coordinator and Bill Belichick disciple Nick Saban.
Will Muschamp was the last former Saban Defensive Coordinator to get a head coaching offer and it didn’t end well for him. Is Smart overrated?
Mario Cristobal is a real insider candidate. He was an offensive tackle for the Miami Hurricanes who coached there and at FIU before moving to Alabama in 2013.
Cristobal has quickly established himself as one of the top recruiters in the country. He is so well liked in the Miami area that a poll of 34 South Florida High School Coaches overwhelmingly recommended him for the Hurricanes opening.
Cristobal’s main negative is youth and lack of head coaching experience.
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