To think of the Alabama football team without Nick Saban seems impossible at this point. And yet, the day will come when he is no longer the head coach of the Crimson Tide.
Saban’s legacy will be near-impossible to match for whoever replaces him. In 15 seasons so far, Saban had led Alabama to six National Championships, eight SEC Championships, coached four Heisman Trophy winners, won SEC Coach of the Year five times, and has created a dynasty that seemingly never dies. He’s also compiled a career record as a college head coach of 269–67–1.
So, good luck to whoever replaces him, no matter how accomplished they might be. As for who that “lucky” person might be, ESPN radio host Paul Finebaum has some ideas. And while he certainly still thinks Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney is atop the list, he sees the shifting landscape of college football opening up a few more possibilities as well.
“Four years ago, I would’ve told you [Swinney would] be the overwhelming pick to be, of a group like. He’s not anymore,” Finebaum said, via 247Sports. “Now, what’s happened? I don’t know. A lot of things have happened. But the answer was there really isn’t an answer right now. And timing is really critical.”
Finebaum specifically name-checked Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin, Florida coach Billy Napier, and Miami coach Mario Cristobal.
While Kiffin has certainly done a lot to rehab his image as a quality coach on the field in recent years, he’s still very much a wild card and might be too much “personality” for the stalwart Alabama fans.
Napier hasn’t even coached one year with the Florida Gators yet but Finebaum says that the up-and-coming coach may or may not still be a contender soon enough.
“Somebody mentioned Billy Napier if he has success [at Florida],” said Finebaum. “Billy Napier is well-liked. But three years ago, Jeremy Pruitt was well-liked and considered to be a favorite. He’s now persona non grata. So you just don’t know. Things change very quickly. People emerge. People come and go.”
Cristobal just shook up the college football world when he left Oregon for Miami. Would he do it again by leaving the Canes so soon after they moved mountains to get him?
“Another name that has come up, that I think is somewhat out of the contention, is Mario Cristobal,” Finebaum said. “He’s well-liked at Alabama, too. It’s hard to imagine, after leaving to go to Oregon and now coming to Miami, it’s even conceivable he could make another move.”
Of course, Nick Saban is still coaching and doesn’t seem to be showing any signs of slowing down. So perhaps this conversion is ultimately moot for the time being. But eventually, the day will come and it will be fascinating to see who steps into those oversized shoes.
