While we are talking what ifs (not SMU)

[mrydel]

If, and I realize it is a big if, but if Saban were to leave Alabama for Longhorn Central and a $10,000,000 a year contract, who replaces Saban? Who do you get to replace arguably the best coach in the game today?

[ponyte]

My guess would be Less Miles. All the great Alabama coaches lately have been trained at LSU. Also, according to recent allegations, Miles knows what it takes to recruit and retain top notch talent. Plus the field in Tuscaloosa is natural so Miles won’t have to go on a diet come game day.

[SMU 86]

Kirby Smart. It would be an easy transition and everything would continue to roll.

[LHS81]

+1 on Kirby Smart to replace Nick Satan. . . However, if Georgia falters this year and cuts ties with Mark Richt. Kirby could go home to Georgia.

[mrydel]

I could see Smart but Saban may be Smart enough (see what I did there) to get ample pay to take Smart with him. I might be tempted to tag along with Nick after the success he has shown rather than trying to follow in his foot steps.

[leopold]

You laugh, but Petrino at 'Bama would continue to steamroll.

If Louisville goes undefeated this year, I could imagine Charlie Strong could get a look.

Other possibilities:

Dan Mullen
Dabo Sweeney?
Art Briles?

I could see Patterson getting a look, but I don't think he'd jump.

[LHS81]

If Bama hired Dan Mullens or Dabo Sweeny, the Bama fans would burn the Tuscaloosa campus to the ground

[CalallenStang]

Sumlin. He's a winner, and hiring him would allow Bama to punish ATM for beating them

[StallionsModelT]

Barry Switzer

[East Coast Mustang]

There is a 0% chance that Saban leaves Alabama unless it's to retire or go back to the NFL

Also, Alabama will match whatever Texas offers him. Money won't be an issue

[East Coast Mustang]

The fact that Texas fans even think they have a shot at Saban proves their ignorance

[dirtysouthpony]

I think Sumlin will be in the NFL next year, so Aggies and Bevo will both have openings. I wonder if Bama will look at a spread/offensive guy? Charlie Strong would be a fit at Bama if they continue that defensive tradition. I think Chad Morris will coach at A&M.

[Pony147]

I think Chad Morris will coach at A&M.

I agree with you about that. Chad is an A&M alum and he has previously worked with A&M as an offensive consultant while he was at Lake Travis.
With that being said, I think we really need him here. Think of what he could do with Darrell Colbert running around for him...

[mrydel]

There is a 0% chance that Saban leaves Alabama unless it's to retire or go back to the NFL

Also, Alabama will match whatever Texas offers him. Money won't be an issue

Guess I could have qualified it better. My main question is who do you get to replace the best around at the time. So if he were to go to UT, the NFL, or retire, or be gone for any other reason, who would replace him? I am just thinking it will be a drop down no matter who it may be.

[leopold]

No joke.

I pity the poor SOB who has to follow Saban. That dude will need to go to Bill Curry to ask advice.

But so far it's worked out for Bill O'Brien.