Alabama Football: Who takes the reins of the ‘Elephant-Drawn Carriage’
Former Alabama football offensive lineman Alphonse Taylor says Clemson Tiger’s head coach Dabo Swinney will one day take Nick Saban’s job.
Nick Saban has held the head football coach position at the University of Alabama since 2007. Before coming to Alabama football, Saban was notorious for his quick and swift exits. Coach Saban has surprised many by staying with the Crimson Tide for 11 seasons, and it has become apparent he will be retiring at Alabama.
The reins of the elephant-drawn carriage have been passed around numerously over the last 20 years. The Crimson Tide endured multiple controversial head coach hirings prior to 2007. The Alabama football fan base likes to call this the “Mike Years”.
Nick Saban signed an astonishing 8-Year contract earlier this year. The contract will keep the National Championship aficionado around until 2025. That being said, Nick Saban will be turning 66 years old come this October. Many Crimson Tide fans believe Coach Saban could hang up the reins after he obtains one more National Championship.
Whenever the time comes, the next head football coach hiring for the University of Alabama will most likely be in the hands of the newly appointed Athletic Director, Greg Byrne.
Dabo is a popular choice
Filling the shoes of Nick Saban will not be an easy task. Former Alabama player Alphonse Taylor believes Dabo Swinney is a shoo-in for that task.
Dabo gone be the next head coach at Bama once Saban retires
— Alphonse Taylor (@SHANKK50) September 27, 2017
It is extremely easy to link Dabo Swinney to the University of Alabama. We can all agree that Dabo will be a top contender for the head coaching position once Nick Saban retires. But we can also agree that Dabo has created a tremendous football program at Clemson University and is very well devoted to his Tigers.
Don’t count out Brian Daboll
Brain Daboll, the newest addition to the Alabama football program, is whom I believe will take over the reins. As a wide receiver and tight ends coach, Brian successfully helped lead Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots to five Super Bowl wins. Coach Daboll also served as a graduate assistant under Nick Saban at Michigan State University.
Jeremy Pruitt, long time Nick Saban assistant, is another important part of the Alabama coaching carousel. Pruitt served as a defensive assistant for Nick Saban from 2007 to 2012 and recently returned to the Crimson Tide to serve as Kirby Smarts’ replacement as Defensive Coordinator.
There is no need to put the horse before the cart, or in our terms, the elephant before the carriage. Nick Saban will be controlling the reins of the University of Alabama football program for many years to come.
The question is almost obligatory. Crimson Tide fans are dedicated to their beloved sport of football. Nick Saban’s time at Alabama is winding down, be that one year or eight.
Replacing Nick Saban is like replacing sliced bread. It seems inhuman. But one day Saban will retire, and the University of Alabama’s Athletic Department will have to find its next head football coach. So, the question still stands, Who can take over the Reins?
Next: 30 Greatest Football Games in Tide History
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