Alabama Football does not have a head coach job opening. It is not expected to have one for many years. No change being imminent fails to stifle chatter about who will, at some point, succeed Nick Saban.
The four names mentioned most often are Dabo Swinney, Mario Cristobal, Billy Napier and Lane Kiffin. Though Crimson Tide fans have little interest in such conversation, that does not mean they don’t have favorites. In addition to the names above, Mel Tucker’s name comes up. In the case of an unexpected emergency situation, while Bill O’Brien is on the Tide staff, he might get the call.
Some favored options can quickly lose their appeal. Jeremy Pruitt is a good example, as is Kirby Smart, though for different reasons. In recent years, some Crimson Tide fans have soured on the idea of the choice being Dabo Swinney.
There is a wide range of strong opinions about Lane Kiffin ever coaching at Alabama again. He is respected as an offensive guru. As was recently discussed by Bama Hammer, Kiffin is also one of CFB’s best coaches at turning programs around.
There are questions about whether Lane would ever be welcomed back to Tuscaloosa. Old rumors persist of questionable personal behavior while he was in Tuscaloosa. A couple of unproven claims are neither Terry Saban nor, one or more Board of Trustee members would look favorably at Kiffin ever succeeding Saban.
Kiffin as an Alabama football assistant
Whether or not Kiffin exhibited character flaws while he was a Crimson Tide assistant has probably been overblown through social media. The Crimson Tide has had other coaches who were not ‘choir boys’ who suffered no repercussions.
Lane’s personality has made him a lightning rod for many years. There is an old story about Lane as a USC assistant in 2004. Purportedly in an offensive meeting, USC QB, Matt Leinert was seeking feedback from Offensive Coordinator, Norm Chow and Kiffin kept interrupting. After multiple interjections by Kiffin, Leinert (again purportedly) slammed his hand on a table and demanded Lane shut up. For what it is worth, Paul Finebaum had an unnamed source for the story and believed it to be true.
After making it to Tuscaloosa, we can be pretty sure Lane never interrupted Nick Saban. We are certain Saban’s praise for Kiffin’s sharp mind and coaching ability was sincere.
Kiffin was recently asked about one day, succeeding Nick Saban at Alabama. He responded by saying,
"What could you possibly do right if you don’t win the national championship every year? You’re going to follow Nick Saban at Alabama?’ No, that would not be a good decision for anyone."
At least for now, Kiffin appears to be serious, adding during the conversation that his dad, (longtime NFL and college coach, Monte Kiffin) told him to always “follow lackluster coaches, not legends.”
Someone … someday, will follow a legend in Tuscaloosa. The previous time that happened to the Alabama Crimson Tide, it did not go well.