By: Mike Huesmann
Six Candidates to Replace Nick Saban
It finally happened, the greatest of all time has retired and we now have the biggest opening in the last 30 years of college football. After 7 national titles, 6 at Alabama, Coach Saban has decided to hang up the whistle and, no doubt, start his career as a TV broadcaster. This job will be stacked with big names only and everyone will have made their bones elsewhere.
Initially I thought that a tie to Alabama was a prerequisite for being hired. I no longer feel this is the case. Both Mike Norvell and James Franklin have been added with zero connections to Saban or Alabama. My initial top candidate, Dan Lanning, has opted to stay at Oregon which throws a wrench in my, and presumably Alabama’s plans. At this point I believe Lane Kiffin or Sark will be the guy, but as past lists have shown us, I am a fallible man.
Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss
Kiffin has revitalized the Ole Miss program in his four years, going 34-15. A veteran of the SEC conference, he is a former Saban assistant at Alabama. This would be a massive job for anyone, but he does have experience coaching a blue blood. I wonder if he will feel like he’s reached the ceiling for Ole Miss and want to go somewhere where he feels a title may be possible? He has modernized quicker and more efficiently to the NIL and transfer portal era, this will be appealing to the boosters at Alabama.
Steve Sarkisian, Texas
Just when the Longhorns are finally back they might lose the guy who got them there. Sark is a former Saban assistant and offensive coordinator before going to Austin. He has succeeded elsewhere and is considered one of the elite play callers in the game. He’ll be a serious candidate if he wants to be. He’s the one guy on this list who is in a big enough college job now where he might turn them down. Texas is an absolute blue blood, that is a tough thing to leave.
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Demeco Ryans, Houston Texans
Former Alabama player, Ryans is in his first year as Houston Texans head coach and promptly led them to a 10-7 record and AFC South championship, coming off of a 2022 where they won 3 games. He is making around $4 million a year for Houston, a figure which could be doubled by the Tide. He’s one of the top young head coaches in the game, going back to his alma mater is not outside the realm of possibility.
He’s said it quite a bit, so he was asked – DeMeco Ryans on what makes this #Texans team so ‘special.’
“Their love for football. Their love to compete and their love to improve.” pic.twitter.com/6SYzRxBuyO
— Shaun Bijani (@ShaunBijani) January 8, 2024
Dabo Swinney, Clemson
I’m probably lower on Dabo that I should be right now, but he is a guy who will be mentioned for this job and has a more impressive resume than any others on this list. An Alabama alumnus, Dabo has won two national titles at Clemson and revitalized that program from mediocrity to a national power. His lack of willingness to buy into the transfer portal could be a negative right now.
Mike Norvell, Florida St.
Fresh off of a 13-1 season where the Noles were a healthy QB away from the playoffs they may lose their guy. Norvell inherited a mess from Willie Taggart and has gotten them back to the blue blood status they were in previous years. Norvell was a winner at Memphis, has won at FSU, and likely would win at Alabama. His loss would be a coup for Alabama and a blow to the Seminoles.
Alabama’s Next Head Coach Odds via @SBD:
Mike Norvell +130
Dan Lanning +180
Kalen DeBoer +250
Steve Sarkisian +375
Lane Kiffin +500
Dabo Swinney +2500
Deion Sanders +3300
Urban Meyer +3300
Billy Napier +4000
Marcus Freeman +4000 pic.twitter.com/9VN3qPr7W9— College Football Report (@CFBRep) January 11, 2024
James Franklin, Penn State
Every year we hear James Franklin as a candidate for the other blue blood job openings, most of the time it ends with him getting an improved contract from Penn State. He has them consistently in the top 15, recruits well, uses the portal, and has a magnetic personality. Crucially, he has won long enough that we know he can coach. He has built success and won with his own guys over an extended period. That has to look good in a potential employer.
James Franklin’s agent was ON TOP OF IT pic.twitter.com/yEumaiTZQH
— NIT Stu (@nit_stu) January 10, 2024
