Arkansas OC Dan Enos Returns to Tuscaloosa For First Time Since Departure

It's homecoming weekend for the University of Alabama. Traditionally homecoming brings friends and family to Tuscaloosa who haven't been in a while, and that's no different for former Crimson Tide assistant coach Dan Enos.

Enos, the current Arkansas offensive coordinator, served as the Tide's associate head coach and quarterbacks coach for the 2018 season under Nick Saban and offensive coordinator Mike Locksley.

The former Michigan State quarterback played under Saban in East Lansing but left Tuscaloosa in somewhat controversial fashion. Enos was reportedly in line to take over as offensive coordinator in Tuscaloosa after Locksley was hired as head coach at Maryland, but opted instead to leave and take the offensive coordinator job at Miami.

Conflicting reports convolute the circumstances around Enos leaving the Alabama staff, but the Alabama coach remained complimentary of Enos when asked about him on this week's SEC Coaches Teleconference.

"Yeah, he's doing great. I think he's a really good coach. He did a great job for us when he was here. I can't remember those days back when he was a scout team quarterback. If he says I got on him that wouldn't surprise me. But anyways he's a really good coach and doing a really good job with their team," Saban said.

"I think he's changed quite a bit from when he was a coordinator before he was on our staff. I think being with Mike Locksley, who was a coordinator here when Dan was here, and having coached for Mike I think he has changed quite a bit, but in a very good way. They play well and they take advantage of the players that they have and present a lot of issues and problems for you defensively."

Enos is in his first season with Arkansas, replacing Kendal Briles, but so far success has been hard to come by. The Razorbacks rank 110th nationally in total offense, averaging 332 yards per game. The Hogs rank a bit better where it counts, in scoring offense, putting up 31.3 points per game, good enough for 52nd nationally.

Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman downplayed a potential advantage for Enos and the offense with his prior knowledge of the Alabama defense on Wednesday.

"Well I don't think there would necessarily be an advantage because of the length of time, as you stated," Pittman said. "But also, we've been playing Alabama for a long time. I've been in the league for a long time as well. It's not schematics that necessarily, that you're aware of with Alabama, it's the players that are doing it and how well they're coached. I don't know that would be an advantage there. I'm sure Dan's [Enos] excited to go back over there and see some of his old friends and compete against them."

The Crimson Tide and the Razorbacks kick off at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14 in Bryant-Denny Stadium.