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After 28 seasons, 292 wins, and seven National Championships, Nick Saban is calling it a career. It seemed like the 72-year-old would coach forever, but he ended his journey after a Rose Bowl loss to the Michigan Wolverines. He spent time as the head coach of Toledo, Michigan State, LSU, and Alabama and is widely regarded as the greatest college football coach of all time.
It's a huge loss for the Alabama program, and it'll be a tough act to follow for the next man in charge. However, it's the most attractive job opening -- maybe of all time -- so there will be no shortage of candidates lining up for interviews. Saban's body of work has established Alabama as an elite program for recruiting, and the athletic department has deep pockets.
Who will replace the G.O.A.T. and coach the Crimson Tide in 2024? Let's take a look at five potential candidates.
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Dan Lanning, Oregon
Record At School: 22-5
Achievements: Won 2024 Fiesta Bowl
Dan Lanning was quickly linked to the Alabama job, and it makes plenty of sense. The 37-year-old was a graduate assistant under Saban in 2015 -- then went on to work as Kirby Smart's linebackers coach and defensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021 at Georgia.
Like Saban and Smart, he seems to be an intense guy who demands perfection from his team. In two seasons at Oregon, he's won at least 10 games and looks to have that program headed toward contender status in the Big Ten next year. However, he brings a young energy and is familiar with Saban's way of doing things, so he's a natural fit to fill Saban's shoes. If he's hired by Alabama and has success, he could be there for decades. That's likely attractive to the athletics department.
Oregon: 35 points
Colorado: 23 yards 🤐Dan Lanning wasn’t playing around 😮💨
— Odds Shark (@OddsShark) September 23, 2023
Dabo Swinney, Clemson
Record At School: 170-47
Achievements: Two-Time National Champion, Two Time Runner-Up, Six-Time College Football Playoff Participant
Dabo Swinny defeated Saban twice in National Championship games, and he was a walk-on wide receiver at Alabama in the early 90s. With frustration mounting after his first single-digit win season since 2011 at Clemson, this could be the perfect time for him to jump ship and lead his alma mater.
He's been rumored to be Saban's potential replacement for years, but his disdain for NIL and the transfer portal could make him a stayaway. There's no place like home, so Swinney should remain a top target in Bama's search.
Oregon: 35 points
Colorado: 23 yards 🤐Dan Lanning wasn’t playing around 😮💨
— Odds Shark (@OddsShark) September 23, 2023
Steve Sarkisian, Texas
Record At School: 24-15
Achievements: 2023 Big 12 Champion, College Football Playoff Participant
Coming off of Texas' first (and last) Big 12 Championship since 2009, Steve Sarkisian could be a lead candidate in Alabama's search. The 49-year-old was Alabama's play-caller in 2019 and 2020 when he had a hand in coaching Mac Jones and Tua Tagovailoa to excellent seasons.
Sarkisian's USC career ended poorly, but he's brought Texas back to the national spotlight, narrowly losing to Washington in the Sugar Bowl this season. Is Alabama eyeing bringing him back? It's possible.
No better way to celebrate 🤘 pic.twitter.com/aaSYR4r1yw
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) December 2, 2023
Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss
Record At School: 34-15
Achievements: 2024 Peach Bowl Champion
Lane Kiffin might be the least likely candidate on this list to land the Bama job, mostly due to his goofy off-the-field personality. Going from a serious Saban to a humorous Kiffin might be too big of an adjustment too soon. Personalities matter in college football, and Alabama might not want to take the risk here. However, Kiffin has been excellent since leaving Alabama after the 2016 season. with Florida Atlantic and Ole Miss.
He won two Conference USA titles at FAU and has turned Ole Miss into a legitimate contender in the SEC. That said, Kiffin is probably where he belongs, as expectations are reasonable at Ole Miss, and he is bringing in a monster recruiting and transfer portal class. Expect him to stay put.
Lane Kiffin on Nick Saban retiring: ‘Greatness we may never see again’https://t.co/shTngFe1Ff
— Alabama Crimson Tide | AL.com (@aldotcomTide) January 11, 2024
Kalen DeBoer, Washington
Record At School: 25-3
Achievements: PAC-12 Champion, National Champion Runner-Up
Coaching at Sioux Falls from 2005 to 2009 in NAIA football, Kalen DeBoer led the Cougars to a 67-3 record and three National Championships. Following his historic run there, he was an offensive coordinator at Southern Illinois, Eastern Michigan, Fresno State, and Indiana. He earned his first FBS head coaching job at Fresno State in 2021, going 9-3. It didn't take long for Washington to notice, as they hired him as their head coach in 2022.
In two seasons with the Huskies, he's already won 25 games and brought his team to the National Championship. He's a proven winner at every level, so what could he do with Alabama's never-ending resources? For these reasons, he's been rumored for the job. With no southern ties, he might not fit culturally, though.
Dan Lanning. Kalen DeBoer. Mike Norvell. 🤔 @ReceDavis shares some names to consider for Nick Saban's successor at Alabama. 👀 pic.twitter.com/rhYWbLos18
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 11, 2024
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