Could Dabo Swinney succeed Nick Saban as Alabama's next head coach?
THE WEST ZONE message board | SHOP NOW: DEALS on CLEMSON apparel
NEW ORLEANS, La. — Dabo Swinney arrived here at Louis Armstrong Airport on Wednesday and said all the right things as the face of the Clemson football program.
He mentioned his boss, athletic director Dan Radakovich. He mentioned his boss’ boss, school president Jim Clements. He gave a salute to the Clemson fans.
Sugar Bowl Practice Insider | Recruits predict Clemson - Alabama outcome: Part 2 | Thursday Update | Thursday Clemson Football Notes | Additional Thursday Clemson Football Nuggets | Recruits predict Clemson - Alabama outcome: Part 1
And then he was asked about his Alabama past, and how it intersects with this city, and for a moment Swinney retroactively wrapped himself in houndstooth. He reminisced about attending the 1980 Sugar Bowl at age 10, when Bear Bryant’s Crimson Tide defeated Arkansas — his mother gave him a photograph just recently from that trip, of young Dabo in the street with a New Orleans tap dancer. He also recalled coming to two Sugar Bowls as an Alabama player, winning the national title in the second one 25 years ago.
Swinney’s moment of reverie has nothing to do with Clemson-Alabama III, which will take place Monday night. But it serves as a reminder that the best coach in Clemson history is also the most logical successor to Nick Saban whenever the king of college football decides to walk away.
As a Pelham, Alabama, product who owns two degrees from the University of Alabama, Swinney has the ties to, knowledge of and affinity for the program. And with a 101-29 career record, Swinney has the résumé for the job, too.
He isn’t just the logical choice. He’s darned near the only choice.
At least as it stands now. Things can change, and the Alabama job may not be open for a while.
Saban agreed to a new contract extension last May that runs through the 2024 season. While he could opt out before that, sliding into an analyst’s chair at ESPN or into the pilot’s chair of a boat, nobody around the Alabama program seems to have any suspicion that the 66-year-old is ready to retire from coaching.
You must be a member to read the full article. Subscribe now for instant access to all premium content.
-
Members-only forums
-
Predict prospect commits with FanFutureCast
-
Exclusive highlights and interviews
-
Exclusive coverage of Rivals Camp Series
-
Breaking recruiting news