As for the Nick Saban coaching tree:
I used to think it was going to be Kirby, then it turned out he was actually a royal jackass and now that he's turned the clocks back to 1980 at his alma mater, he's there for life.
Sark? No. I wouldn't have been on that train even if he had not gone to Texas and started so poorly there. I did think it was an intriguing thought before he left... but now that I've seen what he is about at Texas, I don't think there is any way it would work. He is not cut out for this job.
It has been mentioned already, but on Napier, I don't see how that works. We would want to see him do bigger things than he has done thus far at Louisiana. Well, if he does, he is going to do them at Florida and what coach is leaving Florida for Alabama? Don't get me wrong. I do not put Florida on equal ground with Alabama (sorry, Bazza) but they are only one rung below, and they happen to be in the easier SEC division, and they can pay as much as we can (or they should be able to). I don't know all the details though. Do they have the same commitment to facilities? Maybe it could happen, but I am doubtful.
Pruitt. SMH. I thought better of him than I did Kirby, but I was WAY OFF on that one.
Kiffin. He is certainly the most contentious possibility. No doubt he has the talent. But there is also no doubt he completely lacks the discipline. IF he had that discipline and maturity, he would be a home run. A grand slam, even. But he simply does not and at this late date in his career (I get that he is still young but he has been coaching a long time now), if he has not already figured it out, then I doubt he is ever going to figure it out. It's too big of a risk. If he is the hire, I think he wins multiple NCs. But I also think he crashes and burns in spectacular fashion. There will be PR nightmares.
Mel Tucker. Now this one is intriguing. First Colorado, and not 1980s/1990s Colorado, and then Michigan State. He is on the right trajectory. I think it will be well worth keeping an eye on him as things progress. I am of the opinion that Coach Saban will coach at least 4 more seasons. By then we will definitely know about Tucker's ability to take on this job.
I am probably forgetting someone, but those seem to be the only Saban protégés worth mentioning to me. Outside of that circle, Dabo is a non-starter, Urban's coaching career is over, and Bill O'Brien is not a realistic candidate, IMO. But Dave Aranda is definitely one. I have no idea if he could step in and maintain the culture that is in place, but he does seem to be of the same kind of mindset as Coach Saban.
Guys like Ryan Day are already at an "Alabama" so I do not consider them.
I used to think it was going to be Kirby, then it turned out he was actually a royal jackass and now that he's turned the clocks back to 1980 at his alma mater, he's there for life.
Sark? No. I wouldn't have been on that train even if he had not gone to Texas and started so poorly there. I did think it was an intriguing thought before he left... but now that I've seen what he is about at Texas, I don't think there is any way it would work. He is not cut out for this job.
It has been mentioned already, but on Napier, I don't see how that works. We would want to see him do bigger things than he has done thus far at Louisiana. Well, if he does, he is going to do them at Florida and what coach is leaving Florida for Alabama? Don't get me wrong. I do not put Florida on equal ground with Alabama (sorry, Bazza) but they are only one rung below, and they happen to be in the easier SEC division, and they can pay as much as we can (or they should be able to). I don't know all the details though. Do they have the same commitment to facilities? Maybe it could happen, but I am doubtful.
Pruitt. SMH. I thought better of him than I did Kirby, but I was WAY OFF on that one.
Kiffin. He is certainly the most contentious possibility. No doubt he has the talent. But there is also no doubt he completely lacks the discipline. IF he had that discipline and maturity, he would be a home run. A grand slam, even. But he simply does not and at this late date in his career (I get that he is still young but he has been coaching a long time now), if he has not already figured it out, then I doubt he is ever going to figure it out. It's too big of a risk. If he is the hire, I think he wins multiple NCs. But I also think he crashes and burns in spectacular fashion. There will be PR nightmares.
Mel Tucker. Now this one is intriguing. First Colorado, and not 1980s/1990s Colorado, and then Michigan State. He is on the right trajectory. I think it will be well worth keeping an eye on him as things progress. I am of the opinion that Coach Saban will coach at least 4 more seasons. By then we will definitely know about Tucker's ability to take on this job.
I am probably forgetting someone, but those seem to be the only Saban protégés worth mentioning to me. Outside of that circle, Dabo is a non-starter, Urban's coaching career is over, and Bill O'Brien is not a realistic candidate, IMO. But Dave Aranda is definitely one. I have no idea if he could step in and maintain the culture that is in place, but he does seem to be of the same kind of mindset as Coach Saban.
Guys like Ryan Day are already at an "Alabama" so I do not consider them.