Replacement for Lane Kiffin

[Catch Prothro]

I like the idea of Dabo, and perhaps Al Golden. I don't think Jimbo would leave FSU (unless we gave him an INSANE amount of money). Not sold on any of the others on this list. Frieze has potential, as does Franklin, but neither has still proven much yet. No way do I want Art Briles. He REALLY hasn't proven anything, other than he can beat a vastly underachieving Texas team. Lane couldn't get hired at Little Sisters of the Poor.

Chris Peterson?
Gary Barnett?

Yeah, I floated the Dabo idea a few weeks ago.  Bama connections and successful head coaching experience.  He'd probably be my first choice, unless one of the Harbaughs decided he wanted back in the college game, or Saban calls his buddy Belichick.

[Marshal Dillon]

I would put my money on Golden. With all the crap that Miami has gone through, he has managed to do a good recruiting job and has kept the team respectable.

Don't underestimate Kirby. He has been in Saban's system a long time and can recruit as well as anybody out there.

If I were Bill Battle, providing he is still here when CNS decides to retire ('cause he ain't going to another team), I would give those 2 the hardest look.

Picking an assistant coach with zero HC experience is like a 4 year old playing with a gun. Very dangerous and highly undesirable.


 

[2Stater]

I would put my money on Golden. With all the crap that Miami has gone through, he has managed to do a good recruiting job and has kept the team respectable.

Don't underestimate Kirby. He has been in Saban's system a long time and can recruit as well as anybody out there.

If I were Bill Battle, providing he is still here when CNS decides to retire ('cause he ain't going to another team), I would give those 2 the hardest look.

Picking an assistant coach with zero HC experience is like a 4 year old playing with a gun. Very dangerous and highly undesirable.


 

Seriously, MD? A 4 year old with a gun? 

I would equate KS with Dabo only much better. Dabo was never a head coach and had Tommy Bowden as a mentor. Meh! Kirby has had the grand master as his mentor and is a better recruiter than Dabo. Dabo has had to develop along the way as a head coach. Kirby has the formula in a bottle.

IMO, Dabo will never win a NC. I think Kirby can.

I have to disagree with you, my friend. 

[cbbama99]

I like the idea of Dabo, and perhaps Al Golden. I don't think Jimbo would leave FSU (unless we gave him an INSANE amount of money). Not sold on any of the others on this list. Frieze has potential, as does Franklin, but neither has still proven much yet. No way do I want Art Briles. He REALLY hasn't proven anything, other than he can beat a vastly underachieving Texas team. Lane couldn't get hired at Little Sisters of the Poor.

Chris Peterson?
Gary Barnett?

Yeah, I floated the Dabo idea a few weeks ago.  Bama connections and successful head coaching experience.  He'd probably be my first choice, unless one of the Harbaughs decided he wanted back in the college game, or Saban calls his buddy Belichick.

I don't know about Jim, but John just signed an immense contract extension with the Ravens.

[Marshal Dillon]

The Harbaughs are a dream only. How about adding these to the list:

Charlie Strong
Paul Rhoads

Both are defensive-minded coaches.

Folks remember, just because we are Alabama does not mean we can pick and choose who we want. Forget Gruden, the Harbaughs, Stoops, & other very high profile coaches.


 

[SUPERCOACH]

I really like Kirby too, although that violates MD's rule. 

The reason I like him though is that he knows the defense and pretty much runs the show on that side of the ball.  I'm certain our defense would be solid under him, and as we all know defense wins championships.

I also really like Jimbo and Dabo.  I'm not really interested in the others.  Note:  Jimbo and Dabo are in their first HC gigs, and they are doing OK.  I have no reason to believe that Kirby couldn't do that good as well.

A new name I would add to the list is Kevin Sumlin.

I would probably go after Jimbo, Dabo, Sumlin, and then Kirby if I couldn't get one of those guys.  I would certainly take Kirby over Frieze, Briles, Franklin, etc.

[SUPERCOACH]

Although before I say Sumlin, let's see how they do after JF leaves. 

[Marshal Dillon]

Although before I say Sumlin, let's see how they do after JF leaves. 

You violated your own standards. You said at the end of THIS year. No cheating.


 

[SUPERCOACH]

Although before I say Sumlin, let's see how they do after JF leaves. 

You violated your own standards. You said at the end of THIS year. No cheating.


 

I guess I would have to go back and scrutinize what he did at Houston then.  I never paid any attention to him until they beat us last year.

[Marshal Dillon]

I didn't pick Sumlin since I think he goes pro after this year and if he doesn't go pro I don't think he would leave A&M for Bama. I think we have mentioned all the realistic candidates to replace Saban if he retired after this season. Here is my opinion of the best qualified based on their HC experience and chance (no matter how slim) of hiring.



Al Golden
Charlie Strong
Dabo Sweeney
Jimbo Fisher
Hugh Freeze
James Franklin

I think Saban would recommend Fisher as the first choice & Golden second (imo).


 

[SUPERCOACH]

I would put a lot of stock in whoever CNS recommends.  In fact, I would have him heavily involved in the search if he would be willing to do it.

[ALTideUp]

What in the world makes you guys think you can predict the behavior of a group of people who picked Kiffin as their head coach in the first place? Might as well guess Pee Wee Herman, or one of the Kardashians.

[Catch Prothro]

Al Golden
Charlie Strong
Dabo Sweeney
Jimbo Fisher
Hugh Freeze
James Franklin

I think Saban would recommend Fisher as the first choice & Golden second (imo).

I doubt Jimbo would leave recruiting rich Florida for Alabama.  I'm not sold on Hugh Freeze anymore, maybe those fourth down attempts were just growing pains and he will learn from it.  The rest are viable candidates. 

I agree in part with you about Kirby Smart -- I'd prefer a proven head coach -- but I don't think he would be nearly as dangerous as your analogy.  While Dabo is in his first Head Coaching gig, he has had growing pains.  I think the same would happen with Kirby -- it would take 2-3 years just to get comfortable in the big chair.  Both Dabo and Kirby are excellent recruiters -- an essential quality in a head coach.  Freeze and Jimbo can recruit also.  I'm not as sure about the rest.

[Chechem]

I doubt that USC would hire a gimmick-offense (West Coast) coach.  
Traditionally they're an I-formation, power team.  Expect that again.
Likely they'll take someone from the NFL, or at least with NFL experience.  Gruden? More likely Jack Del Rio. 

[Marshal Dillon]

Al Golden
Charlie Strong
Dabo Sweeney
Jimbo Fisher
Hugh Freeze
James Franklin

I think Saban would recommend Fisher as the first choice & Golden second (imo).

I doubt Jimbo would leave recruiting rich Florida for Alabama.  I'm not sold on Hugh Freeze anymore, maybe those fourth down attempts were just growing pains and he will learn from it.  The rest are viable candidates. 

I agree in part with you about Kirby Smart -- I'd prefer a proven head coach -- but I don't think he would be nearly as dangerous as your analogy.  While Dabo is in his first Head Coaching gig, he has had growing pains.  I think the same would happen with Kirby -- it would take 2-3 years just to get comfortable in the big chair.  Both Dabo and Kirby are excellent recruiters -- an essential quality in a head coach.  Freeze and Jimbo can recruit also.  I'm not as sure about the rest.

Here we are getting in dangerous territory. These are almost the exact excuses folks were using when discussing Shula. Give him time to learn how to be a head coach, he just needs some time to learn the ropes, etc. Alabama is not a place for someone to learn how to coach. They must know how to be a HC when they get here. Coaches learn how to be a HC at 2nd tier teams, not at Alabama, USC, Texas, Ohio State, Oklahoma, or similar major programs. Kirby Smart MIGHT be a great HC straight from the assistants role, but I do not want to take that risk when proven HC's are available. Do we really want an Ed Orgeron, Mike DumBose, Jeff Blake, Mike Shula, Gary DiNardo, and so on, mistake on our hands?


 

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