Alabama coaching candidates: Steve Sarkisian, Dabo Swinney, Kalen DeBoer among options to replace Nick Saban

Nick Saban has retired as Alabama coach after 17 seasons leading the Crimson Tide program, leaving some legendary shoes to fill in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Saban went 292-71-1 overall as a head football coach throughout his career including an absurd 201-29 at Alabama with six national championships. The search for his replacement now begins, and a successor is expected to be named within the coming days, according to 247Sports. 

Perhaps the best job in college football, the Alabama coaching gig presents a fascinating opportunity. Tuscaloosa been home to some of the most successful coaches in the sport’s history, but it also presents a pressure cooker for whomever earns the right to replace Saban. In the 15 years between Gene Stallings’ lone national championship in 1992 and Saban’s arrival in 2007, Alabama had almost as many losing seasons (four) as 10-win seasons (five). 

Replacing a legendary coach is one of the toughest tasks in football. When Paul “Bear” Bryant retired in 1982, New York Giants coach Ray Perkins took over the Crimson Tide program. Two years later, Alabama posted its first losing season in 27 years. When Mack Brown retired at Texas, Charlie Strong went 16-21 over the next three seasons. Now we get the chance to see whether Saban’s successor can live up to the lofty expectations of leading the Alabama football program as arguably the greatest coach to ever do it rides off into the sunset. 

Let’s have a look at potential candidates to step into those shoes. 

Alabama coaching candidates

Steve Sarkisian, Texas coach: Sarkisian had proven a worthy Saban pupil throughout stints as both an analyst and offensive coordinator at Alabama after off-field issues abruptly derailed his tenure as USC coach. Since leaving Saban and the Tide…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/alabama-coaching-candidates-steve-sarkisian-dabo-swinney-kalen-deboer-among-options-to-replace-nick-saban/

Author : Shehan Jeyarajah

Publish date : 2024-01-11 17:16:16

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