Nick Saban lists his top five picks to coach Alabama football.

Nick Saban stands as a towering figure in college football. His name is synonymous with success at the University of Alabama, where he has won six national championships and built a dynasty that has reshaped the very fabric of college football. Under Saban’s leadership, Alabama has consistently been a force in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and a regular contender for national titles.

But all dynasties eventually face the question of succession. As Saban approaches the twilight of his illustrious career, Alabama fans and college football analysts alike have begun speculating: who could step in to fill the shoes of one of the greatest coaches the sport has ever seen? While Saban’s longevity at Alabama seems unparalleled, the hypothetical exercise of choosing his successor is both intriguing and thought-provoking. What qualities would Nick Saban value in a successor? Which coaches would be the best candidates to keep Alabama at the top of the college football hierarchy?

In this article, we will explore the top five coaches Nick Saban might choose to take the reins at Alabama. These coaches have a proven track record of success, a strong understanding of Saban’s coaching principles, and the necessary leadership qualities to continue Alabama’s legacy of excellence.

Saban’s Criteria for Success

Before delving into the list of potential candidates, it’s crucial to understand the traits that would make a coach a good fit to replace Nick Saban. Over the years, Saban has established a clear coaching philosophy rooted in several key principles that any potential successor would need to embody.

1. Character and Leadership: Saban places an immense emphasis on integrity, discipline, and leadership. His ability to foster a culture of hard work and accountability has been central to Alabama’s success. Any candidate would need to have strong character and be capable of leading not just the team, but the entire program.

2. Track Record of Success: Saban is an unrelenting perfectionist who values a history of consistent success. While he might be willing to overlook occasional setbacks, his ideal successor would have to demonstrate a long-term ability to build winning teams and achieve sustained success.

3. Recruiting Excellence: The lifeblood of Alabama’s dominance has been its ability to recruit top-tier talent. Saban has consistently ranked among the top recruiters in the country, and his successor would need to follow suit. A coach with a proven ability to bring in elite recruits would be essential to keeping Alabama’s roster stocked with the talent necessary to compete for championships.

4. Adaptability and Innovation: Saban’s genius lies in his ability to evolve. His coaching philosophy has shifted over the years as the game has changed, adapting both his offensive and defensive strategies to stay ahead of the competition. A successful successor would need to be able to innovate and adjust to the constantly evolving landscape of college football.

5. Cultural Fit: Alabama football has a rich tradition and a fiercely loyal fan base. The next coach would need to embrace the history of the program, understand its culture, and be able to maintain the high standards that Saban has set over the years.

With these criteria in mind, let’s take a look at the top five coaches who could be ideal candidates to succeed Nick Saban at Alabama.

1. Dabo Swinney

Dabo Swinney has been a highly successful head coach at Clemson University, guiding the Tigers to two national championships (2016, 2018) and consistently competing at the highest level in college football. His success at Clemson has been nothing short of remarkable, turning the program into one of Alabama’s chief rivals on the national stage.

Why Swinney?

Saban’s Influence: Swinney’s relationship with Saban is well-documented—Swinney served as an assistant coach under Saban at Alabama in the early 2000s. Over the years, Swinney has often spoken about how much he learned from Saban, both in terms of football strategy and leadership. His familiarity with the Alabama program and Saban’s principles of discipline and work ethic makes him an ideal candidate for the job.

Leadership and Culture: Like Saban, Swinney has built a program centered around strong leadership, high standards, and a commitment to excellence. He has shown a unique ability to develop players not just on the field, but also as individuals. His upbeat, positive personality could bring a new energy to Alabama while still maintaining the high level of discipline and focus that Saban has instilled.

Recruiting: Swinney has demonstrated an ability to recruit elite talent to Clemson, including several top-five recruiting classes. His recruiting prowess would be key in ensuring that Alabama’s program remains at the top of the college football landscape.

In summary, Dabo Swinney’s blend of success, leadership, and familiarity with Saban’s system makes him a top choice to succeed Nick Saban at Alabama.

2. Kirby Smart

Kirby Smart has become one of the top coaches in college football since taking over at the University of Georgia in 2016. A former defensive coordinator under Saban at Alabama, Smart has built Georgia into a perennial national championship contender and has won a national title in 2022.

Why Smart?

Saban’s Protégé: Kirby Smart is perhaps the coach who is most closely associated with Saban’s legacy. As Saban’s defensive coordinator at Alabama, Smart was integral to Alabama’s defensive dominance during the 2000s and 2010s. His deep understanding of Saban’s system, along with his ability to run a program with similar values, positions Smart as an ideal successor.

Track Record of Success: Since taking over at Georgia, Smart has proven himself to be a capable head coach. He has consistently led the Bulldogs to SEC championships and playoff appearances, culminating in a national championship victory. His ability to build a program that is both successful and sustainable mirrors what Saban has done at Alabama.

Recruiting: Smart has also established himself as one of the top recruiters in the nation, regularly landing top-tier talent to build a roster capable of competing at the highest level. His familiarity with the recruiting landscape in the SEC would be a major asset in maintaining Alabama’s dominance.

Kirby Smart’s experience as a Saban disciple, combined with his success at Georgia, makes him a strong contender to take over at Alabama.

3. Urban Meyer

Urban Meyer is widely regarded as one of the greatest college football coaches of the modern era. He has won national championships at both Florida and Ohio State, and his ability to rebuild programs and win at the highest level makes him a compelling choice.

Why Meyer?

Proven Success: Meyer’s track record of success is undeniable. He won two national titles at Florida (2006, 2008) and another at Ohio State (2014). His ability to take struggling programs and turn them into national contenders is exactly what Alabama would need if they were to move on from Saban.

Offensive Innovation: Meyer is known for his offensive mind and ability to adapt to the changing landscape of college football. His spread offense and ability to develop quarterbacks could be a game-changer for Alabama, offering a more dynamic, high-octane offensive approach.

Recruiting: Meyer has long been one of the top recruiters in college football, known for his ability to secure elite talent across the nation. His experience recruiting at top programs like Florida and Ohio State would make him an immediate asset to Alabama’s already elite recruiting operation.

Despite his controversial departure from previous coaching jobs, Meyer’s ability to win and build championship-caliber teams makes him an intriguing option to replace Saban.

4. Jimbo Fisher

Jimbo Fisher has been a successful head coach at Florida State and Texas A&M, where he has built strong programs capable of competing in the SEC. He led Florida State to a national championship in 2013 and has proven himself as one of the top minds in college football.

Why Fisher?

Proven Success: Fisher’s national championship at Florida State and his consistent competitiveness at Texas A&M demonstrate that he knows how to build a program that can compete for titles. His ability to manage a large program, recruit top talent, and develop players fits well with the expectations at Alabama.

Offensive Innovation: Fisher is known for his innovative offensive schemes, particularly his ability to develop quarterbacks and run a balanced offensive attack. His system would complement Alabama’s traditional strength in defense, offering a dynamic, modernized approach to the game.

Recruiting: Like Saban, Fisher has been successful in recruiting top-tier talent. His ability to land elite players, especially in the state of Texas, would be valuable to Alabama’s recruiting efforts.

Fisher’s experience in the SEC and his success in building strong programs makes him a solid candidate to lead Alabama into the future.

5. Lane Kiffin

Lane Kiffin has transformed Ole Miss into a competitive powerhouse in the SEC, with an innovative offense and a knack for developing quarterbacks. His time as Alabama’s offensive coordinator from 2014-2016 gives him a unique understanding of the program and what it takes to succeed at Alabama.

Why Kiffin?

Familiarity with Alabama: Kiffin’s experience as Alabama’s offensive coordinator under Saban makes him an intriguing candidate. He understands the inner workings of the program, the expectations, and the high standards set by Saban. His time in Tuscaloosa gives him an edge when it comes to transitioning smoothly into the head coach role.

Offensive Creativity: Kiffin is known for his offensive creativity and ability to adapt to the modern college football landscape. His dynamic offenses at Ole Miss have made him one of the most exciting offensive minds in the game. His approach could complement Alabama’s traditional strength in defense.

Recruiting: Kiffin has also proven to be an effective recruiter, particularly in the state of Mississippi. His ability to identify and develop talent would be critical for maintaining Alabama’s competitive edge.

Lane Kiffin’s familiarity with Alabama’s program, combined with his offensive innovation, makes him a compelling choice to succeed Saban.

Nick Saban’s legacy at Alabama is unmatched, and the prospect of finding his successor is an enormous challenge. The coaches mentioned above—Dabo Swinney, Kirby Smart, Urban Meyer, Jimbo Fisher, and Lane Kiffin—each bring something unique to the table, from leadership and recruiting to offensive innovation and program-building experience.

While Saban’s eventual successor will face tremendous pressure, any of these five coaches would be well-equipped to continue Alabama’s tradition of excellence. In the end, the future of Alabama football remains bright, thanks to the incredible foundation Saban has laid, and these potential candidates represent the next generation of coaching talent capable of keeping the Crimson Tide at the top of college football.