I'm really not concerned with all of this bluster. I would feel much worse for Kirby Smart than Alabama were he to take this job. It would be career suicide, IMO. There are, and will be in the future, much better opportunities. But as for Alabama's sake, this ship is Nick Saban's. Everything is his system, on offense and defense. Yes, he's heavily involved on the defensive side, but don't think for a second that the offense is just left to the OC. It's not. His parameters, his design, and you work within that system if you are on his staff.
It would be a loss, no doubt. But not catastrophic. It would be catastrophic for Smart's career, IMO. If Auburn were in good shape... If Chizik was simply retiring after a good career, then that would be one thing. But that is a dumpster fire down there right now and then you've got to compete directly with Nick Saban, Mark Richt, oh and Will Muschamp has a 2 year head start on you? Just not a good move. We'll see.