This is really mind blowing to think Saban is retiring. If i’m an Alabama fan i’m a little nervous. Even at a place with unlimited resources it’s always hard when a legend moves on and you have to make a change. Just look at the string of bad hires they had before they eventually got Saban.
I think there are 2 can’t miss candidates and I think there’s only a slim chance that 1 takes the job. Dan Lanning and Kirby Smart. If either takes the job it would be Lanning, but really why would he when he has all the resources and ability to recruit at the same level at Oregon. Plus i’m sure there is a huge buyout (Not that it matters really?). Smart already has started his own legacy at Georgia that will be humming for at least the next decade +.
Next candidates would be Sarkisian, and Lane Kiffin. Both were obviously reclamation projects who have gone on to be highly successful thanks to their time under Saban. I can see them wanting Sarkisian a little bit more, but does he leave Texas now that he has them humming with similar resources. I could see Kiffin taking the job, but i think that would be more of a gamble for Bama and would be far from a sure thing.
If it were 5 years ago everyone would have said Dabo Sweeney, but he and Saban have similar positions on the portal and NIL so he wouldn’t be considered imo.
Now we’re basically in gamble mode. Outside of the ones listed above, and the ones who won’t take the job, like Hardbaugh and Day, leaves guys like James Franklin, and Mike Norvell? For me getting either one out of our way would be great for Syracuse, but as HC at Alabama it could be hit or miss.
If we’re thinking outside the box, what about someone like Elijah Drinkwitz. He has deep southeastern roots and has been a success wherever he’s been building Missouri to a top 10 program, with even higher expectations next year. He has proven he can recruit, and for an SEC program basically in the midwest he has built a solid program. My most outside of the box option would be Demarco Ryans. Former Alabama star, who played in the NFL, and took a terrible Texans franchise to the playoffs. Bama could probably double his salary too. If I was them i would certainly kick the tires to see if Demarco Ryans has any interest. Other than that we just witnessed the end of one of the greatest dynasty of modern age of college football. It will certainly be surreal not seeing Saban on the sidelines. This hiring process should be entertaining.