By: Mike Huesmann
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.
My initial top candidate, Dan Lanning , has opted to stay at Oregon which throws a wrench in my, and presumably Alabama’s plans. Then Steve Sarkisian and Mike Norvell both passed on the job. That's three big name passes for this job, one of the biggest we've had open in decades.
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.
Kalen DeBoer, Washington
I have long said DeBoer would be one of my first calls if I was any elite program and I stand by that statement. He did wonders at Fresno State and in his second year at Washington they made it all the way to the title game. Not to mention his domination at NAIA Sioux Falls including 3 national titles. His tutelage of Michael Penix and high powered offense and proven track record will put him on most lists of elite programs looking for a job.
He is making north of $4 million a year, this will easily be doubled by Alabama. He would be a great hire for anyone in the market for a head coach. IF i were placing a bet right now, my money would go on him.
Tommy Rees, Offensive Coordinator Alabama
Imagine a game of musical chairs but where no one wants to sit down, that’s the ever increasing scenario where Rees gets this job. He has been offensive coordinator at two blue bloods in recent years and is considered a young riser in the game. That doesn’t mean he should be a candidate here. If no one wants to follow the legend, and I understand why they wouldn’t, Rees becomes the convenient and easy transition candidate who is also easy to fire in a few years if things aren’t going well. For him it’s also a no brainer as it’s the job of a lifetime and even if he fails, he likely fails upward.
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.
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.
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