College football insider explains why he thinks 2 popular names won't be replacing Nick Saban at Alabama
There's plenty of speculation right now about who will replace Nick Saban as the head coach at Alabama. Plenty of names have already been tossed out there by various college football insiders — Dan Lanning (Oregon HC), Dabo Swinney (Clemson HC), Mike Norvell (Florida State HC), Lane Kiffin (Ole Miss HC), Steve Sarkisian (Texas HC), […]
There's plenty of speculation right now about who will replace Nick Saban as the head coach at Alabama.
Plenty of names have already been tossed out there by various college football insiders — Dan Lanning (Oregon HC), Dabo Swinney (Clemson HC), Mike Norvell (Florida State HC), Lane Kiffin (Ole Miss HC), Steve Sarkisian (Texas HC), and Marcus Freeman (Notre Dame HC) are some of the popular names that have been bandied about.
ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel, however, thinks two of the names on that list are unlikely to replace Saban.
Thamel doesn't see Kiffin or Sarkisian as likely options for Alabama.
“I just don’t think Steve Sarkisian would leave Texas, so that’s why I did not put him on the list," said Thamel during an emergency podcast with ESPN College GameDay host Rece Davis.
“I have a hard time seeing Greg Byrne hiring Lane Kiffin," continued Thamel. "Considering Lane Kiffin was fired from Alabama before before he left, and Greg Byrne is a very buttoned-up man and that would be a little bit of oil and water."
“So those are two names that have been thrown out that I did not use and those were the reasons why. Not saying they’re impossible, that’s just my intuition and assumption," added Thamel.
I tend to agree with Thamel. Texas is a great job and it would seem unwise for Sarkisian to leave that situation to take over for a legend — especially when he has quarterback Arch Manning on the Longhorns' roster. Sarkisian is in a good spot coming off a playoff appearance (plus Texas is set to join the SEC in 2024).
As for Kiffin, I think he could do well at Alabama. But he has the potential to be a PR nightmare for the Crimson Tide. I could see him landing at LSU (if Brian Kelly leaves for Michigan…in the event that Jim Harbaugh leaves Michigan for the NFL) before I could see him at Alabama.
There will obviously be plenty of interest in the job, but several candidates will likely pass on the job because of how difficult it can be to take over a legend like Saban.
