Williams expected to join Saban's staff

TUSCALOOSA | While former University of Alabama offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Major Applewhite was formally introduced as Mack Brown’s running backs coach and assistant head coach at Texas, the Crimson Tide’s Nick Saban came closer to filling one of his two staff openings Thursday.

According to several sources and reports, former Michigan State coach Bobby Williams is poised to accept a position with the Crimson Tide, as expected. An announcement could come as early as today.

Williams, who has already served on three Saban staffs, visited the Capstone last week. The delay in his hiring could be directly related to Applewhite’s departure, with Saban considering his options at offensive coordinator and at quarterbacks coach before assigning any other responsibilities.

Williams turned down an opportunity to join Saban a year ago to remain with the Miami Dolphins, where he coached the running backs, only to be fired a few months later. He had the same role at Michigan State (1990-98), before replacing Saban as head coach (1999-2002). In 2004 he was Saban’s associate head coach and receivers coach at LSU, before following him to the NFL.

Williams would essentially replace special teams/tight ends coach Ron Middleton, who left the Crimson Tide for Duke earlier this month, and The Sporting News reported that Williams is expected to be Alabama’s tight ends coach. However, Saban has numerous options should he decide to shuffle staff duties. For example, when receivers coach and recruiting coordinator Curt Cignetti was at North Carolina State for seven years, he was Philip Rivers’ quarterbacks coach for a season (2003), and also coached standout tight ends Sean Berton, T.J. Williams and Anthony Hill (2000-2, 2005-6).

“Although we are sorry to see Major go, we wish him the best at Texas,” Saban said in a release. “He’s a fine young coach and he did a great job for us.

“It’s always special to go back to your alma mater, especially a place with as much tradition and history as Texas. Major was a big part of that during his playing days there and will again be a part of it moving forward as a coach. We appreciate all of his hard work and dedication during his time at Alabama.”

Applewhite, 29, called his decision to leave Alabama “extremely difficult,” and added: “It wasn’t about a title, it wasn’t about a role.”

He added that Saban tried to convince him to stay, but otherwise declined to divulge anything from their conversation.

“It’s tough to leave a great place like Alabama, especially when it’s a dream to be there,” Applewhite said. “But the opportunity to come home is one that you can’t pass up.

“I’m happy to be here. It’s an honor.”

Brown, who recently hired Auburn defensive coordinator and former Saban assistant Will Muschamp as well, indicated that the impedes for the move began during a recent phone conversation between Applewhite and his mentor, Longhorns offensive coordinator Greg Davis.

“I would say Major and Greg probably talk once a week,” Brown said. “In actually one of the conversations Major said, ‘You know, I would like to look at coming back to Texas.’ I wasn’t sure that we could hire him.”

Brown also confirmed that he called Saban on Sunday to ask permission to interview Applewhite, a former Longhorns quarterback who was also a graduate assistant for two years.

“Nick understood, he was very nice, he was very professional, and at the same time didn’t want Major to leave,” Brown said. “He said he’s a great coach and had been doing a tremendous job. Of course, he was very complimentary of Will.”

Applewhite’s first 24 hours on his new job featured the lengthy press conference, meeting the Longhorns’ running backs, and recruiting. Meanwhile, his wife Julie returned to Tuscaloosa to begin packing, while the Crimson Tide formally began its search for a replacement.

“We will use this as an opportunity to find the best available candidate and improve our staff in the process,” Saban said.

Reach Christopher Walsh at christopher.walsh@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-233-1065.