We know the candidates to replace Alabama head coach Nick Saban but how do they rank in my eyes? Lucky you, I’ll tell you.
1. Dan Lanning, Oregon
— Okay I know he kinda said no with his hype video and he’s out of the mix it seems with his loyalty to Oregon and his $20 million buyout but man he would be awesome so I’ll include him. He has worked at Alabama, cut his teeth with Georgia, and has learned how to win in the SEC. And he’s an absolutely elite recruiter. Bama is missing out here.
— Dan Lanning (@CoachDanLanning) January 11, 2024
2. Steve Sarkisian, Texas
— Sark edges in at No. 2 here based on his knowledge of Alabama, his ability to establish a culture, and his offensive mind which is crucial in this day and age of college football. Sark has come a long way from his Washington and USC days and he’s mature and established enough to handle this. The problem? He’s in charge of one of the best programs in the country when it comes to resources. I doubt he’d leave.
3. Kalen DeBoer, Washington
— The dude just wins wherever he is and the job he’s done at Washington has been amazing. It’s so tempting to think of how his offense would work with even better players and it takes away the question of whether he could recruit in the Southeast. He could.
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4. Mike Norvell, Florida State
— Norvell has been amazing for Florida State despite a rough start and his use of the portal has been exceptional. Was his tough start an indication of a lucky couple of years in 2022 and 2023? Nope. The only issue? He lacks SEC experience. So does DeBoer and he went undefeated last season as Norvell did before the Orange Bowl debacle. This is a good coach.
5. DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans (NFL)
— He’s obviously been a great defensive mind and has shown he can handle the head coaching role as he was amazing this season in Houston. As a former player and Alabama native, he’s a solid fit. But can he recruit and handle NIL? We don’t know.
6. Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss
— Is he too brash? Maybe. But Kiffin is a great offensive mind, he knows Alabama very well and he has the confidence and ego to handle such a job following a legend. His record in big games isn’t good but at Alabama with the recruiting and resources that could quickly change.
7. James Franklin, Penn State
— Franklin was amazingly successful at Vanderbilt in the SEC so the guy can coach and recruit. The main issue is his record against top five and top 10 programs as he’d face even more of those in the SEC. And he lost the head-to-head with Kiffin.
8. Dabo Swinney, Clemson
— Not a fit at all. He’s a great coach don’t get me wrong but Dabo is too sensitive for the meat grinder in Tuscaloosa and the SEC and he hasn’t adjusted to NIL and the portal yet and that won’t work outside the ACC or perhaps the Big 12.
