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College Football Recruiting, Opinion, and Analysis

Six Candidates to Replace Nick Saban:

Mike Huesmann Breaks Down Options to Replace Nick Saban

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Sep 10
Sep 10

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 Nick 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. Critically, they all will also have a past connection to Alabama, as I believe that is a prerequisite this time around. Is whoever takes this job doomed to fail? Well, that depends on the expectations, but suffice to say they won’t drop off a ton. Here are six names to look at in this job cycle.

Dan Lanning, Oregon

Over two years in Eugene, Dan Lanning has only 5 losses. That’s impressive considering the gauntlet the Pac 12 is right now. I wrote earlier this Fall that he’d be in the mix for the next big job in the SEC and here we are. The former Nick Saban and Kirby Smart assistant checks all the boxes and would be a home run. Oregon will do what they can to keep him but the pull back to the SEC and Tuscaloosa may be impossible to ignore. Lanning has publicly said he’d return to Oregon in 2024, but this is a once in a lifetime job. He’d be call #1 if I was the AD.

Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss

Lane 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.

Nov 11, 2023; Athens, Georgia, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin reacts on the field against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half at Sanford Stadium.

Dabo Swinney, Clemson

I’m probably lower on Dabo Swinney 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. Dabo’s reported buyout could also be prohibitive in getting him away from Clemson.

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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.

Demeco Ryans, Houston Texans

Former Alabama player, Demeco 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.

Brian Daboll, New York Giants

Another former Saban offensive coordinator on the list. Brian Daboll took over the Giants in 2022 and made the playoffs immediately. 2023 was less productive but that happens when your QB gets injured. He is considered by all to be a top notch football coach. I wouldn’t bet on him to leave the NFL, but this is one job he may consider it for. 

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