Who takes over at Alabama?

[VolCalls]

Close friend of mine who runs in college football circles - not a public figure so nobody would know him - tells me Saban is retiring at the end of the season. I trust him as he doesn’t share these types of things without solid info.

When it happens, who do you think Bama goes after? Dabo? Sarkisian? Someone else with SEC experience like Lane Kiffin or Dan Lanning? Brent Venables? Or do they go the NFL route?

 

[volfanbill]

Officially mid season when an unknown friend of a friend knows that Saban is retiring

Next up is doubling down on the info

 

[volfanhill]

Close friend of mine who runs in college football circles - not a public figure so nobody would know him - tells me Saban is retiring at the end of the season. I trust him as he doesn’t share these types of things without solid info.

When it happens, who do you think Bama goes after? Dabo? Sarkisian? Someone else with SEC experience like Lane Kiffin or Dan Lanning? Brent Venables? Or do they go the NFL route?

 

[LouderVol]

I am about 99% sure you could go back for the last decade and find these exact same "facts" stated every year. on every football based message board in the SEC. and probably a couple more nation wide.

 

[tbh]

I'm sure they have a list of qualified candidates that is revised regularly. Seated at the top of the heap is a candidate who, like Saban, got his start in the Midwest and then obtained SEC experience with some historical powerhouses. Some say his strengths include a tenacious attention to detail, unmatched discipline, and an ability to mold recruits into champions. He currently doesn't coach in the SEC at the moment, but he does have experience at two SEC programs.

Spoiler: Alabama's #1 Candidate

 

[Boston Vol]

Close friend of mine who runs in college football circles - not a public figure so nobody would know him - tells me Saban is retiring at the end of the season. I trust him as he doesn’t share these types of things without solid info.

When it happens, who do you think Bama goes after? Dabo? Sarkisian? Someone else with SEC experience like Lane Kiffin or Dan Lanning? Brent Venables? Or do they go the NFL route?

He’s not retiring at seasons end. Even if he did, those guys on your list either wouldn’t consider Alabama, or Alabama wouldn’t consider them.

 

[05_never_again]

He’s not retiring at seasons end. Even if he did, those guys on your list either wouldn’t consider Alabama, or Alabama wouldn’t consider them.

I think Lanning fits into the combo of he would consider Alabama + Alabama would consider him.

I agree that all the others would not.

 

[hog88]

Whenever Saban does retire AL will have a hard time attracting a proven HC. They'll end up overpaying for a mid-major or NFL coordinator and wander through the desert for a few seasons.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

Hopefully their next coach is horrible.

 

[knoxvol52]

Whenever Saban does retire AL will have a hard time attracting a proven HC. They'll end up overpaying for a mid-major or NFL coordinator and wander through the desert for a few seasons.

Lane Kiffin would be packing as soon as he got wind of Saban retiring....singing Sweet Home Alabama..

 

[A.J.]

Whenever Saban does retire AL will have a hard time attracting a proven HC. They'll end up overpaying for a mid-major or NFL coordinator and wander through the desert for a few seasons.

Here’s hoping.

 

[volfanhill]

Whenever Saban does retire AL will have a hard time attracting a proven HC. They'll end up overpaying for a mid-major or NFL coordinator and wander through the desert for a few seasons.

I disagree on the coach. Like all egomaniac hugely successful coaches, Saban will name his successor off his existing staff at that time. They will then wander the desert.

 

[hog88]

Lane Kiffin would be packing as soon as he got wind of Saban retiring....singing Sweet Home Alabama..

Not a chance, even Lane is smarter than that.

 

[hog88]

I disagree on the coach. Like all egomaniac hugely successful coaches, Saban will name his successor off his existing staff at that time. They will then wander the desert.

I hope the Gumps are dumb enough to allow Saban to have a say in who will be his replacement.

 

[VolCalls]

I think Lanning fits into the combo of he would consider Alabama + Alabama would consider him.

I agree that all the others would not.

Thanks for adding value to the discussion. Lanning was one of the first I thought of, as well. There will be no shortage of big-time candidates.

 

[Boston Vol]

Thanks for adding value to the discussion. Lanning was one of the first I thought of, as well. There will be no shortage of big-time candidates.

Just because someone doesn’t agree with your list doesn’t mean that they aren’t adding value to the discussion.

Kiffin- Although he’d probably be interested, Bama would have to be really, really desperate to offer it to him.

Sark and Venables- No reason for either of them to be interested as both already have two of the top 8-10 jobs in the country. Both Texas and OU offer a coach anything he would need in order to compete for and win titles.

Dabo- Probably a lifer at Clemson. Also strikes me as the type who will be done with coaching by the time he gets into his late 50s-early 60s. Also, his utter disdain for the transfer portal would probably make him a no go from the Bama end of it.

Lanning- Will have to wait and see how his career progresses, if he still has Oregon at a top-ten level when Saban decides to hang it up in a few years, then he could be a possibility. Although, if he has Oregon rolling, he may be content to stay in Eugene instead of taking on the near impossible task of following Saban.

 

[zjcvols]

I thought they were grooming O’Brien but him take the NE OC job shows that wasn’t the case.

It’s going to be interesting. Saban hiring a super young OC like Rees might be something? Maybe Dabo would take it now after it seems Clemson isn’t fully committed to ponying up in the NIL era? There doesn’t seem to be a legit guy waiting in the wings

 

[VolCalls]

Just because someone doesn’t agree with your list doesn’t mean that they aren’t adding value to the discussion.

Kiffin- Although he’d probably be interested, Bama would have to be really, really desperate to offer it to him.

Sark and Venables- No reason for either of them to be interested as both already have two of the top 8-10 jobs in the country. Both Texas and OU offer a coach anything he would need in order to compete for and win titles.

Dabo- Probably a lifer at Clemson. Also strikes me as the type who will be done with coaching by the time he gets into his late 50s-early 60s. Also, his utter disdain for the transfer portal would probably make him a no go from the Bama end of it.

Lanning- Will have to wait and see how his career progresses, if he still has Oregon at a top-ten level when Saban decides to hang it up in a few years, then he could be a possibility. Although, if he has Oregon rolling, he may be content to stay in Eugene instead of taking on the near impossible task of following Saban.

You missed my point. You were the only one who took the original post as part of a legitimate inquiry without a “here we go again with this annual rumor” take. I wasn’t being facetious.

 

[Checker_the_Shire]

Officially mid season when an unknown friend of a friend knows that Saban is retiring

Next up is doubling down on the info

Bet his buddy has Beaver somewhere in his username…

 

[AthensVol2007]

He’s not retiring at seasons end. Even if he did, those guys on your list either wouldn’t consider Alabama, or Alabama wouldn’t consider them.

I don’t see how Kiffin wouldn’t be on their list. He’s proven himself successful at an inferior SEC school. His propensity to recruit and Bama’s resources/pedigree would make it impossible for him to not reel in top 5 classes every year and keep things going.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

If you were a prove head coach in college football would you replace Saban? I mean think about the INSANE standards you have to live up to. I mean if you win 10 games you are considered a bad hire. If you don’t win the SEC at least every other year and a NC every 2-3 years, you suck.

 

[05_never_again]

I thought they were grooming O’Brien but him take the NE OC job shows that wasn’t the case.

It’s going to be interesting. Saban hiring a super young OC like Rees might be something? Maybe Dabo would take it now after it seems Clemson isn’t fully committed to ponying up in the NIL era? There doesn’t seem to be a legit guy waiting in the wings

The funny thing with Dabo taking that job now is that if Clemson is rolling, I don't think he has any reason at all to leave, and if Clemson stagnates, then Bama wouldn't be interested in him.

I think the Dabo to Alabama ship sailed after he won his first title there, and definitely after he won the second.

 

[miket4god]

Just because someone doesn’t agree with your list doesn’t mean that they aren’t adding value to the discussion.

Kiffin- Although he’d probably be interested, Bama would have to be really, really desperate to offer it to him.

Sark and Venables- No reason for either of them to be interested as both already have two of the top 8-10 jobs in the country. Both Texas and OU offer a coach anything he would need in order to compete for and win titles.

Dabo- Probably a lifer at Clemson. Also strikes me as the type who will be done with coaching by the time he gets into his late 50s-early 60s. Also, his utter disdain for the transfer portal would probably make him a no go from the Bama end of it.

Lanning- Will have to wait and see how his career progresses, if he still has Oregon at a top-ten level when Saban decides to hang it up in a few years, then he could be a possibility. Although, if he has Oregon rolling, he may be content to stay in Eugene instead of taking on the near impossible task of following Saban.

Lanning could be the guy who follows the guys who follows Saban.

 

[CAVPUT]

Close friend of mine who runs in college football circles - not a public figure so nobody would know him - tells me Saban is retiring at the end of the season. I trust him as he doesn’t share these types of things without solid info.

When it happens, who do you think Bama goes after? Dabo? Sarkisian? Someone else with SEC experience like Lane Kiffin or Dan Lanning? Brent Venables? Or do they go the NFL route?

What kind of parade should Vandy have when they win the natty next season? Curious minds and all that.

 

[zjcvols]

The funny thing with Dabo taking that job now is that if Clemson is rolling, I don't think he has any reason at all to leave, and if Clemson stagnates, then Bama wouldn't be interested in him.

I think the Dabo to Alabama ship sailed after he won his first title there, and definitely after he won the second.

I never thought Bama was a legit option. Dabo has been a god at Clemson. But now he’s struggling and it seems like Clemson won’t pony up so maybe he wants out. But I don’t think that is a legit option.

The other issue is this. Somebody is going to take that job obviously. But why would a proven guy want it? You can make $7M coaching at Kentucky now. Why take that job and get staked with “national title or bust” and probably 3 years AT MOST to prove yourself? Look at what they did to Bill Curry after Bear retired. It’s going to be fascinating.