Alabama Assistant Coaches Doug Marrone and Bill O'Brien Test Positive for COVID-19

The Bearcats face Alabama in less than ten days with a National Championship berth on the line.

Author:
Russ Heltman
Updated:
Dec 22, 2021 2:37 PM EST

CINCINNATI — The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is running rampant across the country and is taking a toll on the Alabama coaching staff. Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban and athletic trainer Jeff Allen announced that offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien and offensive line coach Doug Marrone tested positive for the virus.

According to Saban, The two have mild symptoms and are expected back on the sidelines for the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Eve.

"They have very mild symptoms and are home isolating while following all appropriate guidelines," Saban and Allen said in a joint statement. "We anticipate both being able to coach in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl."

The positive test results mean both coaches are unavailable as Nick Saban and company try to unearth a winning gameplan against the "Blackcats" defense. Alabama's team vaccination rate (booster included) is over 90%, but as we've come to learn, that does not always prevent someone from catching the virus.

Both teams are trying to navigate the COVID minefield before playing each other at AT&T Stadium. Cincinnati takes on Alabama in the Cotton Bowl at 3:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 31.

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