Reports: Nick Saban Expected To Consider In-House Candidates For OC

Nick Saban is reportedly expected to consider in-house candidates for Alabama's offensive coordinator position.

With Lane Kiffin leaving to become the head coach at FAU, Alabama will have a vacant offensive coordinator position. According to multiple reports, Nick Saban will consider in-house candidates for the job.

Several names crept to the forefront within just minutes oft he announcement of Lane Kiffin as the head coach of Florida Atlantic. According to

Am told Nick Saban is expected to consider in-house candidates for #Alabama OC job: Sark, Mike Locksley & Billy Napier.

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 12, 2016

">Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports, Steve Sarkisian, Mike Locksley, and Billy Napier are all in consideration for the job.

Other reports claim that Napier is a prime candidate for the job and will receive strong support from the Alabama program. That's according to

With Kiffin going to FAU, there will be a lot of support in the building for Nick Saban to promote receivers coach Billy Napier to OC

— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) December 12, 2016

">Dan Wolken of USA Today.

Sarkisian is the former offensive coordinator and head coach of the USC Trojans and currently functions as an offensive analyst for Saban. He joined the Alabama staff during the 2016 season. Another name floating around, Mike Locksley, also joined Alabama for the 2016 season, also as an offensive analyst.

As for Napier, he is in his third season as the Crimson Tide's wide receivers coach. Napier was an offensive coordinator for Clemson during Dabo Swinney's first two years in charge of the Tigers. After Swinney fired Napier following the 2010 season, Nick Saban swept in and named Napier as an offensive analyst. The Crimson Tide went on to win the 2011 national championship.

For now, Kiffin will stay on as offensive coordinator through Alabama's playoff run.