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Alabama Football: Why Butch Jones’ coaching move is a good one

By Michael Hanich

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: Butch Jones of the Alabama Crimson Tide before the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: Butch Jones of the Alabama Crimson Tide before the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA – NOVEMBER 09: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts before the game against the LSU Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA – NOVEMBER 09: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts before the game against the LSU Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

3. New potential role as assistant to Saban

Despite what the title of his new title says, Jones’ role goes beyond being a typical assistant for Nick Saban. His job description remains the same in terms of studying film and performance analysis of the Tide and against opponents. A typical depiction of a team analyst usually doesn’t have much control over the planning process for the team’s game plans. This is, unless, the analyst is a coach of experience like Steve Sarkisian was in 2016 or Jones was for two seasons.

Jones will be given much more freedom to enact certain game plans and methods of analysis in practices and film study. He will also be given more on-the-field access to be a more efficient coach than he would as a typical analyst for the team.

Coach Saban usually likes to have a trusted group of experienced coaches leading his players and to receive any recommendations on any changes. Jones is trusted enough with the football program and dealing with coach Saban that he can make certain recommendations that most other coaches can’t.

Saban is also a defensive-minded coach and does a lot of work with the defensive backs. Having an offensive-minded coach like Butch Jones will much less pressure off Saban when trying to understand the problems and dynamics of the offense. Jones will be given more control and personally get connected with offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian. Jones will give more detail recaps of the offensive structures often and can advise some potential to some of the offensive dynamics to the Tide offensively.

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