In a stunner on Wednesday, legendary Alabama coach Nick Saban officially announced his retirement after 17 seasons in charge of the Crimson Tide.
Despite being 72 years old, no one was expected Saban to actually step down.
He walks away as the greatest coach in college football history, boasting a remarkable career record of 292-71-1 to go along with seven national championships.
According to 247Sports, Saban informed his players before the announcement and said the university aims to name a new head coach within the next 72 hours.
Probably had their eye on someone for awhile.
Moving quick should also help keep the entire program from evacuating into the portal.
— Josh (@JoshGuerrlich) January 11, 2024
Saban’s decision to retire caught many by surprise, as he had participated in a morning SEC coaches call and later conducted interviews with wide receiver coaching candidates.
Staff members and players were reportedly taken aback by the sudden announcement.
The task of filling Saban’s legendary shoes falls on Alabama’s athletic department, which now faces the challenge of finding a coach capable of continuing the Crimson Tide legacy.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel has identified several possible candidates, including Dan Lanning, Kalen DeBoer, Dabo Swinney, James Franklin, Mike Norvell, and Marcus Freeman.
With no likely internal replacements at Alabama, here’s a quick projected target list. Dan Lanning, Kalen DeBoer, Dabo Swinney, James Franklin, Mike Norvell and Marcus Freeman. All come with complications and big buyouts, as it’s difficult to move entrenched coaches. https://t.co/0K2NWk8CtL
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 10, 2024
Much to the delight of Oregon fans, Lanning doubled-down on his commitment to the Ducks and seemingly took his name off Alabama’s target list once and for all…
— Dan Lanning (@CoachDanLanning) January 11, 2024
For a while, it had looked like Lanning-to-Tuscaloosa was an inevitability.
However, very few people expected Saban to retire this soon…
Dan Lanning will not be the next head coach at Alabama.
Dabo Swinney, Lane Kiffin, Mike Norvell, Kalen DeBoer still on the card. https://t.co/SCLRYufAEz
— Brad Crawford (@BCrawford247) January 11, 2024
With Saban’s departure, Alabama players have a renewed 30-day window to enter the transfer portal, and the program must now fight to retain its 2024 recruiting class, which currently ranks #2 behind Georgia on 247Sports.
The impact of Saban’s retirement was immediately felt, as five-star wide receiver Ryan Williams became the first recruit to decommit on the same day.
Hugh Freeze on the recruiting trail pic.twitter.com/sxwqYrRNYu
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) January 10, 2024
ESPN’s Chris Low, who initially reported Saban’s retirement, believes that Saban will actively assist in the coaching search, stating that he expects Saban to “do anything and everything he can” to support Alabama in this transition.
The Alabama head coaching position, widely regarded as one of the best jobs in college football, now presents a compelling opportunity for potential successors.
While Tuscaloosa has been home to some of the most successful coaches in the sport’s history, it also brings immense pressure, creating a high-stakes environment for whoever is chosen to replace the legendary Nick Saban.
Many insiders, including FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt consider Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer to be the favorite to take over for Saban.
#Huskies HC Kalen DeBoer now the overwhelming favorite to be the next coach at #Alabama. -275 odds. #Texas HC Steve Sarkisian now at +250.
(Odds via @betonline_ag) pic.twitter.com/a92wlkbDim
— Blake Munroe (@BlakeMunroeOTF) January 11, 2024
Were you surprised by Saban’s decision to retire?
Do you think the new Wild Wild West world of NIL and the transfer portal is what drove him out?
Who do you think will end up replacing him???