Saban Leaving Alabama
- Thread starter steveluck7
- Start date
Steele retired just the other day.
...
The man. The legend. The state. I can only imagine 42 years ago felt quite similar to now upon Bear Bryant's announcement of 1982. Today, I find myself with a heavy heart, emotions raw and unbridled.
It is with a profound sense of both sadness and gratitude that now bids farewell to our era of this sport's ultimate legend as a coach, a maestro of the gridiron, the architect of dreams – Coach Nick Saban.
As we, a country of college football...no matter our school or our rivalries, stand on this precipice of change, the echoes of countless victories and the indomitable spirit of Crimson Tide football reverberate within us, be those memories of joy or bitterness, they are here and they are now, yet simultaneously remaining now and forevermore in the past.
As much, this truly amounts to a bittersweet moment, an intersection of sorrow and appreciation that transcends the realm of mere sports fandom. It's about a man who became more than a coach; he became a mentor, a guiding force that shaped not just the game but even more so the lives of those he touched through Nick's Kids.
I speak not only for myself but for countless others when I say that Nick Saban's departure leaves an indelible void, a chasm of emotions that at their core are grappling to comprehend. It's a farewell that tugs at the very fabric of passion, for Coach Saban is owed more than just victories on the field; he is owed the essence of the game itself.
My experience of learning, studying, and identifying in the realm of presnap shading, the impacts of 77 coverage, MOF safeties, LIZ/RIP 3 coverage? Just to name a few key elements: They're all a testament to the profound impact of Coach Saban's tutelage and creativity on the defense side the ball. Speaking for myself, I thank you, Coach, for instilling in me the art of disguising coverages, the mastery of defensive strategies that left opponents bewildered and fans in awe. But beyond the intricacies of X's and O's, you taught me something more profound – the importance of resilience, discipline, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
My tears well up not just for the departure of a coach but for the end of an era, an era that birthed dynasties and etched the Crimson Tide's name in the annals of football history. Alabama weeps as one for the memories of victories and the camaraderie that united us as something larger than each and every one of us.
Those tears are not solely the product of loss; but yet they are rich in tears of gratitude. For Nick Saban, in his illustrious tenure, gifted the Tide with more than championships. He gifted Alabama moments of unbridled joy, taught us at large the resilience to weather storms, and imparted life lessons that extend far beyond the white lines of the football field.
Bidding farewell, the legacy of a man who transcended the game is carried, leaving an indomitable mark on the very soul of Crimson Tide football. In the grand tapestry of life, Coach Saban's impact is immeasurable, weaving through the stories of players, fans, and enthusiasts alike. As college football embarks on a new chapter, let us not forget the lessons learned, the victories celebrated, and the tears shed.
For in this farewell, there is not just an ending but the promise of a new beginning, fueled by the wisdom imparted by a legendary coach. Thank you, Coach Saban, for the moments that defined our Saturdays, for the tears of both sorrow and joy, and for the legacy that will endure beyond the echoes of Bryant-Denny Stadium. May your journey forward be as extraordinary as the legacy you leave behind. Roll Tide, forever and always.
He’s on the list of logical candidates, but Kiffin, Lanning, and Sarkisian coached at Alabama so I would think that they would be, too. Not sure why being a former player would give Swinney a leg up.
EDIT: I'm not saying that Kiffin, Lanning, Sarkisian, or even Swinney would leave their current jobs, I'm just saying that Kiffin, Lanning, and Sarkisian have to "be on the list" along with Swinney.
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Saban was always going to leave unexpectedly. You can’t recruit when prospects think you’re likely to leave. It’s the same reason A&M moved swiftly on Jimbo Fisher — once the writing is on the wall, the uncertainty kills the program, especially now that current players can so easily leave.
When I first heard the news, I was expecting an internal hire given the announced timeline. I don’t think they’ll land Smart or Sark, and any other big-name hire would be largely unknown to them. On reflection, though, it occurs to me that Saban’s retirement probably is not a surprise to the people who will pick the next coach. Maybe they’ve kicked the tires discreetly and gotten comfortable with Lanning.
When I first heard the news, I was expecting an internal hire given the announced timeline. I don’t think they’ll land Smart or Sark, and any other big-name hire would be largely unknown to them. On reflection, though, it occurs to me that Saban’s retirement probably is not a surprise to the people who will pick the next coach. Maybe they’ve kicked the tires discreetly and gotten comfortable with Lanning.
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IIRC, Saban forced Kiffin out before the college playoffs one year because he had already accepted his next head coaching gig and his head wasn’t in it. (And then Alabama subsequently lost.)
All accounts I’ve read are that Kiffin is a great coach who leaves a trail of ashes and bitterness in his wake. I don’t think they’d have him back.
I think Lanning is the choice.
edit: or not.
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Lanning isn't going anywhere.
https://x.com/coachdanlanning/status/1745490828850815112?s=46&t=81cHtemY_pHJAudUjdZM2g
https://x.com/coachdanlanning/status/1745490828850815112?s=46&t=81cHtemY_pHJAudUjdZM2g
Cool video. And he’s smart.
Edit: Quinn Ewers just announced he’s returning - he wouldn’t stay if Sark was leaving - some Texas insiders say Sark turned down an interview yesterday.
Edit: Quinn Ewers just announced he’s returning - he wouldn’t stay if Sark was leaving - some Texas insiders say Sark turned down an interview yesterday.
Really smart by Sark IMO. The money behind Texas is pretty insane and they probably are going to pass Alabama pretty soon if not already.
Sark out. Norvell out. Lanning out. Highly doubt Swinney or Joey Freshwater are under serious consideration. DeBoer the current favorite. Link here.
This is a high-risk hire. As successful as Saban was, it’s going to be incredibly difficult to live up to that so this is not a lay-up by any means.
This is a high-risk hire. As successful as Saban was, it’s going to be incredibly difficult to live up to that so this is not a lay-up by any means.
Going from Fresno State to Alabama in a few short years would be an amazing accomplishment for DeBoer. He's definitely talented. Not sure how well he'll recruit at Alabama given that I think that most of his experience is in the west/Pacific NW
Not sure I like the fit for him. He's an absolute great coach but it's going to be a much different cultural gig in the southeast for him and his recruiting prowess is TBD. But
In the Seminole Barber Shop back in the day (early Tallahassee social media) I heard that Urban Meyer was going to be a bad culture fit for Florida. No one knows anything.
Absolutely. He very well might do great (he clearly is one of the best coaches in football), but it's going to be a real tough challenge. As a Texas fan now in the SEC, I hope he fails miserable lol.
I really didn’t expect him to stay beyond this season when they landed Manning. Color me surprised.
Maybe if he gets the job, he can get a lot of those FCS guys to transfer (most of the best teams are from his neck of the woods, South Dakota, or close, arguably the 4 best teams this year were SDS, NDSU, Montana and Montana State)
If not, I don’t understand this fit at all.
How is a South Dakota guy (with stops in Indiana and Fresno and SIU and making his name in WA) supposed to recruit the Deep South?
If not, I don’t understand this fit at all.
How is a South Dakota guy (with stops in Indiana and Fresno and SIU and making his name in WA) supposed to recruit the Deep South?
Does this matter? Like, at all? What was Urban Meyer's Deep South knowledge when he showed up at Florida?
DeBoer really knows how to put together an offense. It will be interesting to see him cooking in Alabama with better quality groceries.
The recruiting concerns are legit, but will probably get sorted out. The Crimson Tide are still the Crimson Tide.
The recruiting concerns are legit, but will probably get sorted out. The Crimson Tide are still the Crimson Tide.
Not to mention with the Transfer Portal and NIL recruiting is now national for current players. I wouldn't be surprised to see Alabama under DeBoer become more of a Transfer Portal buyer in the first couple of years as he gets his feet beneath him in recruiting the parlors of Southern HS recruits.
Very curious to see if he brings his whole staff with him. If he does he'll be more able to hit the ground running. If Grubb stays to become Washington HC he'll have a harder time in my opinion.
I guess. They were the Crimson Tide before Saban got there too. You can't afford to stumble in college football or else things can snowball. Look at Texas. Look how long it took Michigan to get back on top of Ohio State. It's not like Georgia is going to slow down.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that I think DeBoer is talented enough at running a program that Alabama won't stumble and his ability to recruit in the region will catch up enough to not be much of an issue. Alabama's financial (and presumably NIL) clout will help a lot.
Saban had NFL experience that he could recruit with, at least the defensive players.
But look where the recruits/athletes are from
And I don’t think Valdosta has a Whole Foods
Gainesville is not the Deep South,
Pardon My Take had Andy Staples on today and when asked if Dabo would get a call for this job, he laughed and said that Swinney can't get the seat given his aversion to the whole NIL/transfer portal aspect of the role.
Staples also kind of suggested that many other guys whom Bama would normally consider wouldn't work given the nature of college football right now.
With DeBoer Alabama not only gets a great coach but someone who used the portal etc to great effect. This feels like a homerun hire to me but I am already a DeBoer fan.
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There are a lot of rumors in the college football world that Alabama isn’t that great with NIL and that a lot of these great recruits took “discounts” to play for Saban.
DeBoer is a very good to great m coach and developer. His high school recruiting is thoroughly mediocre and Bama fans have become insanely spoiled. I hope he’s given the time needed to see if he can actually succeed but I am highly skeptical that that will happen
All local networks interrupted regular broadcasts for a live feed from the Birmingham airport to welcome the new Alabama coach. Only in Alabama.
Alabama and Auburn football coaching news is more important than if the governor was assassinated.
At least this Bama coaching change doesn’t involve live shots from strip clubs in Panama City and tracking down Mike Price’s friend Destiny.
At least Gene Stalling made his move into retirement at an Iron Bowl.
Staples did mention the challenge Bama has versus the money at other places like Georgia etc.
I don't know if DaBoer will succeed at this job but I think he is a legitimate choice. IMO he has the right mix of people skills and the tactical acumen to win but to your point its all about getting recruits. Grubb is presumably going with him - that should be a draw for skill players.
The strip club was in Pensacola! Don’t take away our tawdry claim to Bama fame lol!
The latest intel is that Grubb is going to become the coach at Washington