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JessN: The candidates to replace Nick Saban

This is just weird. We used to change coaches every 3-4 years. Then the GOAT arrived and we didn't have to go through a coaching search for almost two decades. Now, for the first time in forever, we are looking for a coach. I had honestly forgotten what this felt like. I sure didn't miss the anxiety it causes. To that end, I sure hope we don't fall back into a cycle of replacing a coach every few years. Not because we will return to the pre-Saban times, but because of the landscape of the game now. Who knows, that might be inevitable
 
BamaNation said:
My advice is to not ride the wave of emotions as the rumor mill spins and the wannabes use the rumor mill to their advantage to get better contracts never having ever even been on the "Bama's next coach list."

Keep Calm. Carry On. Roll Tide!
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Every coach on all these lists except Kirby and Dabo are flavors of the month that can't win big games. I just don't see Bama going down that road again. If they do, I will be upgrading my Lodge Box to a Sky Box sooner than later.
 
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Not a lot of high profile coaches want the Bama job right after the Saban Era. Only guy I can see on that list that would take it would be Kiffin IMHO. I will support whoever it is just like I have always done but man...
 
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Not sure how old everyone is but I remember when The Bear retired, and Ray Perkins was really not given a chance after that legacy. Curry came in and both he and Perkins had decent records for the most part. It took the third hire Gene Stallings to come in and make everyone happy.
I honestly don't know who would want to follow Nick Saban it is a tall task. The one major tool is the cupboard is full of talent, great facilities, and unwavering fan support (provided you win). Personally, I like Dave Aranda, but I know most people would scoff at that idea, but the man is a defensive guru, and he knows the college game.
 
From JessN's list, my top choices would be these three listed below. Percentages are for entertainment purposes only - a guess at the likelihood of the coach taking the job - and do not reflect any scientific process.

1. Kirby Smart - Who leaves his alma mater that he has on a Saban/Alabama trajectory on vastly more fertile recruiting ground to work in the shadow of Saban's legacy?

If we can't clone Saban, this is the closest guy to the real thing.

0.000000000226% chance

2. DeMeco Ryans - Who leaves an NFL playoff team with a rookie franchise quarterback following a first season turnaround from laughingstock to possible perennial Super Bowl contender?

Had the Texans lost last week, this may have been slightly less improbable but I couldn't see Ryans leaving Houston after the season they've had. As Jess mentioned, the timing here is awful for any possibility of mama calling. Plus, Ryans has zero experience as a college coach and the portal and NIL would add to the learning curve. Personally, I'd trust DeMeco to get it done but it just isn't the right time.

0.00035%

3. Lane Kiffin - That leaves Lane Kiffin. Of the candidates, he has the combination of a strong resume and a school that you wouldn't think twice about leaving for Alabama. He rivals Sarkisian in offensive genius, is younger, and doesn't have the additional headache of paying more than whatever Texas boosters are willing to offer. I think he's an elite offensive mind and won't make defense an afterthought, despite overwhelming evidence that Ole Miss' D is using a napkin to protect their endzone.

69%
 
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Big Bama1966 said:
Not sure how old everyone is but I remember when The Bear retired, and Ray Perkins was really not given a chance after that legacy. Curry came in and both he and Perkins had decent records for the most part. It took the third hire Gene Stallings to come in and make everyone happy.
I honestly don't know who would want to follow Nick Saban it is a tall task. The one major tool is the cupboard is full of talent, great facilities, and unwavering fan support (provided you win). Personally, I like Dave Aranda, but I know most people would scoff at that idea, but the man is a defensive guru, and he knows the college game.
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I knew a few of the coaches on Perkins staff and, while they never came out and said it, I got the sense that he never really wanted to be coaching college but took the job because he couldn't say no to Coach. I also got the sense that recruiting when Perkins was here was pretty much limo rides & Wild, Wild West and then under Curry it became rented mini vans and by the book.
 
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It just blows my mind for you people wanting DeMeco Ryans. The man is in the NFL playoffs in his first year as a head coach.

Alabama is probably going to announce their choice Saturday. The same day as Ryans faces the Browns in the playoffs.

Although not likely the obvious choices are Smart, Sark and sadly Kiffin.
 
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GulfCoastTider said:
I am surprised to see Kiffin on that list given what I've heard about his character on this board and elsewhere in the analog world.

I also think that we need to check our expectations. It would be a miracle for the man who follows Nick Saban to succeed like him. Whoever takes the job will need time to grow into it.
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Since Saban has said he will still be around with "an office in the corner" it's gonna take someone with an ability to put up with that. Kiffin wouldn't mind. I can't think of anyone else willing to have THAT shadow over their regime, unless they had a LONG talk with Saban first.
 
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Nate said:
From JessN's list, my top choices would be these three listed below. Percentages are for entertainment purposes only - a guess at the likelihood of the coach taking the job - and do not reflect any scientific process.

1. Kirby Smart - Who leaves his alma mater that he has on a Saban/Alabama trajectory on vastly more fertile recruiting ground to work in the shadow of Saban's legacy?

If we can't clone Saban, this is the closest guy to the real thing.

0.000000000226% chance

2. DeMeco Ryans - Who leaves an NFL playoff team with a rookie franchise quarterback following a first season turnaround from laughingstock to possible perennial Super Bowl contender?

Had the Texans lost last week, this may have been slightly less improbable but I couldn't see Ryans leaving Houston after the season they've had. As Jess mentioned, the timing here is awful for any possibility of mama calling. Plus, Ryans has zero experience as a college coach and the portal and NIL would add to the learning curve. Personally, I'd trust DeMeco to get it done but it just isn't the right time.

0.00035%

3. Lane Kiffin - That leaves Lane Kiffin. Of the candidates, he has the combination of a strong resume and a school that you wouldn't think twice about leaving for Alabama. He rivals Sarkisian in offensive genius, is younger, and doesn't have the additional headache of paying more than whatever Texas boosters are willing to offer. I think he's an elite offensive mind and won't make defense an afterthought, despite overwhelming evidence that Ole Miss' D is using a napkin to protect their endzone.

69%
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I think we see what you did there ;)
 
My stress level would have been best managed if we had this done before the announcement. Coach leaves replacement is next to him. I know my stress level is not a high priority. :)

I hope we get this done by Sunday.

RDT

Once banned Clay
 
dtgreg said:
Since Saban has said he will still be around with "an office in the corner" it's gonna take someone with an ability to put up with that. Kiffin wouldn't mind. I can't think of anyone else willing to have THAT shadow over their regime, unless they had a LONG talk with Saban first.
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I suspect Nick's primary role would be fundraising. Who could resist writing a big check when Saban calls them?
 
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CNS deserves all the accolades he is getting and more, but he does not need to have an office in Bryant-Denny or anywhere in Tuscaloosa. He needs to move at least to Birmingham and possibly alternate between the lake and beach houses with home offices. No coach worth his salt will relish the idea of the GOAT looking down upon him. I've never seen it work in business, ministry, or coaching.
 
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Padreruf said:
CNS deserves all the accolades he is getting and more, but he does not need to have an office in Bryant-Denny or anywhere in Tuscaloosa. He needs to move at least to Birmingham and possibly alternate between the lake and beach houses with home offices. No coach worth his salt will relish the idea of the GOAT looking down upon him. I've never seen it work in business, ministry, or coaching.
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I also wonder how an incoming coach might view this decision. It won't keep the right guy from coming, but it will extend his shadow over that person. Even if Saban manages this perfectly, it will have fans clamoring for his return to coaching rather than embracing the next guy - until the next guy wins a championship.
 
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