December 13, 2024
Stephen A. Smith tabs finest candidate to interchange Nick Saban at Alabama, admits it received’t occur
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The seek for Nick Saban’s substitute at Alabama continues, two days after the seven-time nationwide champion hung up his headset. 

On Thursday, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning shot down the concept he’d take the job when Lanning and Oregon launched a video displaying the Geese head coach calling a crew assembly and telling his gamers he wasn’t going anyplace.

Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the course of the second quarter towards the Michigan Wolverines in the course of the CFP semifinal Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 2024, in Pasadena, Calif.  (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Pictures)

Steve Sarkisian is reportedly near finalizing an extension with Texas, and Florida State head coach Mike Norvell has agreed to an eight-year contract, based on a number of experiences. 

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As Alabama seems to interchange the legend, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith provided his tackle who could be the perfect match to turn into the Crimson Tide’s head coach — Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders

“Y’all going to name me loopy, however I’m going to say it once more. ‘Prime Time’ Deion Sanders,” Smith mentioned Friday on “First Take.” 

“The rationale why I really feel that means is as a result of I’m interested by at present’s era of gamers. … I’m interested by NIL. I’m interested by the switch portal, which clearly have been issues that Nick Saban had a point of an issue with.”

Sanders overhauled the Colorado roster in his first season as head coach earlier than going 4-8 in 2023. 

Deion Sanders at the spring game

Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders earlier than the beginning of the spring sport at Folsom Discipline in Boulder, Colo., April 22, 2023. (Ron Chenoy/USA At the moment Sports activities)

“After which I’m considering of Deion Sanders,” Smith mentioned. “He’s received the top-ranked switch class proper now. That is the second yr that he’s pulled that off. While you have a look at it from that perspective, the power to recruit expertise, I believe when you’re going to interchange the greatness of a Nick Saban, it begins and ends in the beginning with with the ability to recruit.

“That’s simply me. It’s not going to occur. I do know that. However that’s what I’d say.”

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The Buffaloes landed 20 gamers via the portal for the 2024 season and are ranked third behind Ole Miss and Texas A&M, based on 247 Sports activities. 

Saban’s sudden retirement shocked most across the sport since Alabama was coming off a 12-win season and a spot within the Faculty Soccer Playoff. 

Nick Saban stares on field

Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs off the sector at halftime in the course of the CFP semifinal Rose Bowl towards the Michigan Wolverines Jan. 1, 2024, in Pasadena, Calif.  (Ryan Kang/Getty Pictures)

In an interview with ESPN, Saban mentioned he needed to depart this system whereas it was nonetheless in a great place to usually compete for convention and nationwide championships.

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“The previous few days have been arduous,” Saban advised ESPN in an interview Thursday. “However, look, it’s type of like I advised the gamers. I used to be going to go in there and ask them to get 100% dedicated to coming again and making an attempt to win a championship, however I’ve all the time mentioned that I didn’t wish to experience this system down.”

As head coach of Alabama, Saban introduced six nationwide championships and 9 SEC titles to Tuscaloosa whereas going 206-29. 

In his 28 years as a head coach, which included stops at Toledo, Michigan State and LSU, Saban by no means had a dropping season. 

Fox Information’ Ryan Gaydos and Chantz Martin contributed to this report