Like many things in modern college football, the change first took place in Tuscaloosa.
In the spring of 2010, Dan O'Brien's graduate studies had finished and it was time to move on. The son of former Boston College and N.C. State head coach Tom O'Brien, Dan was unsure of his next move in the coaching profession, having recently served as a Graduate Assistant on the Alabama staff.
For decades, programs have relied upon graduate assistant positions to help former players transition into the coaching profession while simultaneously building a bench of up-and-comers to fill future gaps on the staff.