Tough question because I think we are going to lose players to the portal because of Saban's retirement and we are going to lose recruits because of Saban's retirement. Then whoever comes in will have to assemble his own staff and install a new system. Because of all of that it is going to be a rough couple of seasons no matter who gets the job and I think most Alabama fans are spoiled and don't realize the transition problems that we are going to have to go through. The best candidates may want to avoid taking the job right now. If you ignore all of that, I would like to see DeMeco Ryans or Dan Lanning get the job. I think one of those 2 would be good long term replacements. I am reading now that Dan Lanning may already be the leading candidate and may have already been in discussions.
I've got nothing but admiration for any guy with the courage, self-confidence and conviction to follow a legend like Saban in a place like Tuscaloosa where the pressure and expectations are unbelievable. I agree with you, I don't think most folks have any idea how difficult a transition like that will be. Tough job, only the best need apply. If there is a drop off, I don't expect it to be steep nor long. Good luck
Lanning has a buyout of 20M and I just can't see Demco Ryans leaving the Texans after only 1 year to go back to college, even his Alma Mater. While we'll never know, I can't believe Harbaugh would have left San Francisco to take the UM job if instead of things going south for him there he'd been in the playoffs that last year and hadn't clashed with management and gotten fired.
. I agree about DeMeco...it seems like he's got a good thing going on in Houston with CJ. I think he'll want to see the re-build through and see how far they can take it. Maybe in a few years, maybe the guy after the guy to follow Saban kinda thing. He is a Crimson Tide guy to his core
If they go after Kiffin and he accepts it will be a huge slap in the face of Ole Miss and their supporters. He reportedly went to them and asked for more NIL support so he could go after players in the Portal. They gave him what he wanted and he's got a lot of talent coming in through the Portal as well as having a good squad coming back for 2024. Not to mention he's been given extensions with a big raise. I wonder what his buyout is as that can be a factor as well. They have done everything he asked to make Ole Miss successful.
While I think Kiffin really does like Saban alot and is thankful for the career rehab he got on Saban's staff, Kiffin is out for Kiffin and does not have any particular affection for any school much less Alabama. He might take the job, if offered, knowing that he probably wouldn't last very long just for the money. Kiffin was a great offensive coordinator, I don't have the same opinion of him as a head coach. Saban was able to do his own thing. He stayed out of University of Alabama politics. He won so he was able to keep the boosters out of team dynamics and he stayed away from (or at least didn't get caught) running afoul of the NCAA. I'm not sure Kiffin can do any of those things.
I was curious and have too much time on my hands, so I went back to when Bryant retired in 1982 and came forward. In the 25 years before Saban was hired in 2007, there were 7 coaches hired, including Mike Price who never coached. That leaves 6 coaches (Perkins, Curry, Stallings, DuBose, Franchione, and Shula). All except Shula had winning records (DuBose was 1 game over .500). Joe Kines coached 1 game as interim HC when Shula was fired in 2006. For more detail, here's the link: Wikiwand - List of Alabama Crimson Tide head football coaches
Kp, just curious for my own benefit, do you have anyone in particular that you might like to see hired to replace Saban? (If you care to share)
I read a post on another board that claimed the Alabama AD told the team they would have a new coach with in 72 hours.
I wouldn't mind that. Maybe Michael Penix Jr. would follow him there for his 9th and 10th years of eligibility. He'll be here all week, folks! Ba-dump.
Ok...trivia...no fair looking it up and then posting the answer; Name the only coach that Nick Saban faced more than twice and never beat.
Let’s see. Stu is a Purdue grad. Purdue had Drew Brees when Saban was at MSU. I remember back in the late 90’s when MSU beat M in EL but then traveled the next week to Purdue and got thrashed with Nick setting a record for most F’ bombs screamed at his players that were caught on camera. I’m guessing Joe Tiller and did not google.
I didn't google but I had seen it somewhere on social media in the last 24 hours. I'll never forget how Brees thrashed ND. He was the perfect QB for Tiller's Basketball on Grass. Mobile and accurate with a release so quick he couldn't be sacked.