Bama coaching search takes turn with Lanning staying in Oregon

Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

With Dan Lanning staying in Oregon, Crimson Tide coaching search takes a turn

By Cameron Kiszla | Last updated 1/11/24

After Nick Saban's surprise retirement on Wednesday , Alabama Crimson Tide fans were hopeful that his successor would be announced soon, but with a reported self-imposed deadline only hours away, this process could take longer than many initially thought.

The day after Saban's retirement, the man widely believed to be the top candidate to replace him publicly announced he had no intention of taking the Alabama job.

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning, who was rumored to be in Tuscaloosa only hours after Saban's announcement, posted to X, formerly Twitter, Thursday morning a video of him telling the Ducks players he is staying in Eugene.

pic.twitter.com/NKnRYbS4u9
— Dan Lanning (@CoachDanLanning) January 11, 2024

Whether or not Lanning was actually in Tuscaloosa — other reports say he never even came to Alabama for a visit — the fact remains that Alabama's coaching search continues, and one of the best options is off the table, and Athletic Director Greg Byrne grows nearer.

Byrne reportedly told the players he hoped to land the Tide's next coach within 72 hours. Now, that deadline seems difficult, if not impossible, to meet.

Top candidates remain viable, including Washington's Kalen DeBoer, Florida State's Mike Norvell and Ole Miss' Lane Kiffin, but as Bruce Feldman of The Athletic told Jim Rome, 72 hours is "not a lot of time" to hire a new head coach.

If and when that deadline passes on Saturday without a new coach announced, it's very possible that Alabama officials will change tactics, shifting from a quick hire to a longer, more thorough search.

If that happens, Alabama fans would be smart to remember November and December of 2006, when Mike Shula had been let go but Saban had not yet been announced as his replacement. During that period, patience was key.

Unless a big announcement is made in the next couple of days, Alabama fans would be wise to be patient again.

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