Right now, right this second, the biggest question in college football isn’t whether Jim Harbaugh will be leaving Michigan or not … It’s who will replace Nick Saban at Alabama.
Saban shocked the college football world by announcing his retirement on Wednesday night. Despite his age, Saban never publicly led anyone to believe that he’d be stepping down.
But yet here we are…
Love him or hate him, Colin Cowherd of FOX Sports is well-connected … He’s not always right with what he says, but most of the time, his opinions are helped formed by the knowledge of those “in-the-know.”
As far as Saban’s replacement in Tuscaloosa – Cowherd had two names that immediately came to his mind…
“Kalen DeBoer and Dabo Swinney, two names I’m hearing for Bama,” Cowherd tweeted on X.
Kalen DeBoer and Dabo Swinney. Two names Iām hearing for Bama.
— Colin Cowherd (@ColinCowherd) January 10, 2024
DeBoer, fresh off an impressive 14-1 run at Washington, concluded his season with a heartbreaking loss to Michigan in the national title game.
Meanwhile, Swinney, who has long been a fixture at Clemson, just navigated through his worst season since 2010, finishing with a 9-4 record.
Many people feel Swinney hasn’t adapted to “modern day college football,” but he has strong ties to Alabama and used to play for the Tide.Ā
"I'm actually going to be pretty surprised if Kalen DeBoer is not the next coach at Alabama."
ā @joelklatt pic.twitter.com/RGpMlRsqgk
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) January 11, 2024
“Dabo would be my choice if he were willing to leave Clemson,” Cowherd confidently declared on his podcast…
"Dabo would be my choice if he were willing to leave Clemson"
ā@ColinCowherd reacts to Nick Saban's retirement pic.twitter.com/YM9ZFJrpIj
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) January 10, 2024
ESPN insider Pete Thamel appears to echo the sentiments of Cowherd, revealing that both DeBoer and Swinney are being considered as “targets” for the Alabama job.
Thamel went on to list James Franklin, Mike Norvell, and Marcus Freeman as additional options for the prestigious coaching position.
Could Kalen DeBoer go from a national championship appearance to Tuscaloosa?@RossDellenger details the possibilities š½ pic.twitter.com/i9brB8nUXa
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) January 11, 2024
Another name – once thought to be the favorite to replace Saban – is Oregon head coach Dan Lanning.
However, Lanning very nobly took his name out of consideration as he doubled-down on his commitment to the Ducks…
— Dan Lanning (@CoachDanLanning) January 11, 2024
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
FOX Sports lead college football analyst Joel Klatt believes that the job will go to DeBoer.
āIām actually going to be pretty surprised if Kalen DeBoer is not the next coach at Alabama,” he told Colin on The Herd.
"I'm actually going to be pretty surprised if Kalen DeBoer is not the next coach at Alabama."
ā @joelklatt pic.twitter.com/RGpMlRsqgk
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) January 11, 2024
It seems like the oddsmakers agree with Klatt…
#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
Who do you think will end up replacing Saban?
Do you think DeBoer would work in Tuscaloosa? … Or is he not a good fit, at least personality-wise, at Alabama?
Assuming Steve Sarkisian stays at Texas, should the Tide consider old buddy Lane Kiffin???