USC's coaching carousel continues to spin as newly hired defensive line coach Bo Davis has agreed to terms with Alabama.
According to ESPN, Davis, who was officially introduced as USC's defensive line coach six days ago, will serve at the same position for Alabama. Davis reportedly told USC head football coach Steve Sarkisian he was returning to Alabama for family reasons.
"We wish Bo and his family the best of luck. He is a good coach," Sarkisian said in a statement. "We will move forward and find a great coach for our defensive line."
Davis was part of Nick Saban's staff when he took over the Crimson Tide in 2007. From then through the 2010 season, Davis was critical in recruiting from Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, AL.com reported.
Davis then became the defensive tackles coach at the University of Texas from 2011-2013 and has now returned to Alabama. In total, Davis has spent nine season with Saban at LSU, the Miami Dolphins and Alabama. The Tide's defensive line coach Chris Rumph accepted the same position at Texas following Davis' departure.
Louisiana and Mississippi are crucially difficult areas for Alabama to recruit because of inter-conference rivalries with LSU and Ole Miss. In his first stint at Alabama, Davis helped the Tide recruit top high school players from both states on both the offensive and defensive side of the field.
Texas is also a key state for recruiting given its large size and abundant high school talent. However, Texas and Baylor have an inside track, given both are successful NCAA Division I schools with in-state access to the best high schools.
Sarkisian said the search for another defensive line coach will begin immediately, giving the Trojans another shot at trying to bring back Ed Orgeron, Fox Sports reported. Affectionately known as "Coach O," Orgeron quickly became a fan and team favorite at USC after he took over as interim head coach following Lane Kiffin's firing. Orgeron led the Trojans to a strong finish to their season and to a Las Vegas Bowl win.
Orgeron was an emotional motivator and his strong point as a coach was with the defense. The defensive line coach opening is a fit for Coach O, but he is also likely still disappointed in not being offered the head coaching position.