Alabama coaching rumors tracker: Kalen DeBoer in negotiations to replace Nick Saban

By | January 12, 2024
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It’s the end of an era in college football as Nick Saban has officially announced his retirement as Alabama head coach.

Saban ends his storied career as arguably the best to ever do it, recording an overall collegiate coaching record of 292-71-1. He compiled a plethora of awards, as well as seven national championships, 11 SEC championships and one MAC championship.

MORE: Reflecting on Nick Saban’s historic coaching career

Someone of Saban’s stature may be irreplaceable, but that is the task Alabama must face. Here’s a look into the latest on the Crimson Tide’s coaching search.

Alabama coaching search rumors

Huskies appear ready to replace Kalen DeBoer

All signs are pointing to that DeBoer will be the next head coach of the Crimson Tide. According to Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports, Washington has started the process of preparation for replacing DeBoer.

Of course, this would be if he was to head to Alabama.

Kalen DeBoer headed to Alabama

Date: Jan. 12, 2024

Source: ESPN

According to ESPN, Alabama is in the midst of contract negotiations with DeBoer. Washington athletic director Troy Dannen has made his best effort to keep DeBoer in house with a deal that would make him one of the 10 highest-paid coaches in the FBS and over double his current annual salary of $4.2 million.

But based on what’s emerged, that won’t be enough.

Steve Sarkisian takes himself out of the race (officially)

Date: Jan. 12, 2024

Source: Steve Sarkisian

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian took to X (formerly known as Twitter), taking himself out of the race.

Mike Norvell removes himself from the race

Norvell is not leaving FSU. That much he made clear via X (formerly known as Twitter). Here’s a look at that.

Kalen DeBoer misses scheduled Seattle radio show appearance

Date: Jan. 12, 2024

Source: 93.3 KJR

There has been plenty of speculation that Kalen DeBoer, the coach who led Washington to the national championship and a one-loss season, could be emerging as one of the favorites to replace Saban. And news that he will miss a scheduled radio show appearance in Seattle will only fan the flames.

DeBoer was scheduled to be on 93.3 KJR Friday morning. However, the radio station announced he will not be joining the program and instead the interview will be rescheduled. 

“Husky fans, we know you were looking forward to a visit from Coach DeBoer this morning. Please understand that Coach DeBoer & UW Athletics are continuing to work towards a future we can all be excited about,” the station wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Steve Sarkisian appears to respond to Alabama rumors

Date: Jan. 12, 2024

Source: Steve Sarkisian

The Texas coach, one of Nick Saban’s most successful former assistants oft-connected to the Alabama job, tweeted Thursday night that “It’s a great day to be a Longhorn!!” Sarkisian, 49, served as the Tide’s offensive coordinator from 2019-20 after head-coaching stints at Washington and USC.

Interpret the message as you will.

Dan Lanning ‘not leaving’ Oregon amid Alabama rumors

Date: Jan. 11, 2024

Source: Dan Lanning

The Oregon head coach is staying put, he announced in a social media video.

“If you’re scared your coach is leaving then come play for us. The Ducks aren’t going anywhere and I’m not leaving,” Lanning said in the video.

Lanning was heavily connected to the Alabama job in the wake of Saban’s retirement Wednesday, with multiple outlets even going so far as to call him the frontrunner for the position.

The 37-year-old has a 22-5 record in two seasons at Oregon. He also has ties to Alabama, serving as a graduate assistant for the 2015 national championship team.

Steve Sarkisian among listed candidates

Date: Jan. 11, 2024

Source: Multiple outlets

Nothing concrete has emerged on Sarkisian leaving Texas (which is indeed back after coming up just short of a national championship game appearance). But he’s expected to be among Alabama’s potential targets, according to multiple news outlets.

College football analyst Joel Klatt believes Sarkisian, Lanning and Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer will be among the first calls Alabama makes.

MORE: Ranking Alabama’s best coaching candidates

Lane Kiffin expected to be an option for Alabama

Date: Jan. 11, 2024

Source: Mike Golic Sr. and Mike Golic Jr.

There was a lot of speculation and plenty of conversation taking place on X (formerly known as Twitter) in the wake of Saban’s retirement. And several keen observers noted that Kiffin took a while to comment on Saban’s departure.

The notion that Kiffin, who is well-connected to Alabama after serving on Saban’s staff, could step into the head coaching job of the Crimson Tide has been met with mixed reactions. Some believe the Ole Miss coach is the most realistic option, while others don’t even think he is in the running.

Mike Golic Sr. and Mike Golic Jr. discussed Kiffin as a candidate on their “GoJo and Golic” show Thursday morning.

Alabama aims to have new coach within ’72 hours’

Date: Jan. 11, 2024

Source: 247Sports and Action Network

According to 247Sports, when Saban met with Alabama players to break the news of his retirement, the team was told that the program “hoped” to have a new head coach within the “next 72 hours.” Action Network’s Brett McMurphy reported the same, noting that the timeline came from Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne.

That quick turnaround time gives the sense that Alabama may already have a very firm idea of who it wants as Saban’s replacement.

Dabo Swinney, Kalen DeBoer listed as possible candidates

Date: Jan. 11, 2024

Source: CBS Sports

Little has been confirmed in terms of who is actively talking with Alabama this early on, but plenty of names have been brought up by the national media. DeBoer and Swinney could be reasonable candidates, and both names were brought up by CBS Sports.

Here’s a look at what the network’s Shehan Jeyarajah had to say about DeBoer and Swinney.

On DeBoer: “Unlike almost every other candidate on this list, DeBoer does not have ties to either the SEC or Nick Saban. But after leading Washington to a 25-3 record across his first two seasons and College Football Playoff National Championship appearance, DeBoer ranks as a potential outside-the-box candidate for athletic director Greg Byrne. DeBoer worked his way up the small college ranks, including winning three national championships at NAIA Sioux Falls, before taking over at Fresno State and eventually landing with the Huskies. Including all levels, DeBoer has a career record of 104-12. That’s hard to ignore.”

On Swinney: “For years, Swinney was seen as the obvious replacement for Saban at Alabama. He is one of just four coaches to win multiple BCS or College Football Playoff national championships, joining Saban, Kirby Smart and Urban Meyer, and did it at a smaller program after building Clemson into a national power. However, the timing for him could not be worse as Clemson has descended since those title-winning years. The Tigers failed to win 10 games for the first time since 2010 this past season, and Swinney has grown a reputation for failing to embrace modern trends in college football, including NIL and the transfer portal. Still, Swinney is a proven program builder who could potentially maintain what Saban has built.”

Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne makes statement

Date: Jan. 11, 2024

Source: Greg Byrne

“As with any coaching search, our goal is to be thorough, but expedient. Our ideal candidate will be strong in recruiting and relationship building, player development, excel in Xs and Os and have the overall ability to lead this historic program,” Byrne said. 

“There will be plenty of rumors out there during this process. Next time I talk publicly will be to announce our new coach. If you don’t hear it from me, don’t believe it.”

Mike Norvell considered a candidate

Date: Jan. 11, 2024

Source: Multiple outlets

Norvell is among the many names being thrown around high up in the odds of several sportsbooks to become the next Alabama head coach. BetOnline currently has him at +200, second only to DeBoer.

He makes sense as an option given not only his relatively low buyout, but also for the amount of success he has had after going 13-1 campaign with an ACC Championship win. He was also named the Bear Bryant Coach of the Year.

Agent Jimmy Sexton spotted at Mal Moore Athletic Facility

Date: Jan. 11, 2024

Source: Emily Grace McWhorter

Reporter Emily Grace McWhorter said on X (formerly known as Twitter) the agent Jimmy Sexton was seen at Alabama’s athletic facility. Sexton is the agent of Saban, but he also represents Lane Kiffin, Kirby Smart and Kalen DeBoer. Whether or not that means anything will remain to be seen.

Matt Fortuna says Tommy Rees is a top target

Date: Jan. 12, 2024

Source: Matt Fortuna

College football insider Matt Fortuna reports that Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees has interviewed for the Alabama job. DeBoer is also a strong candidate.

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