Swinney among top contenders to replace Saban at Alabama

GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – As the sports world reacts to Nick Saban’s retirement from Alabama, the conversation quickly turns to who will replace the legendary leader.

Clemson’s Dabo Swinney is on just about every expert’s watch list.

The 2x National Champion head coach got his start with the Crimson Tide. A walk-on wide receiver, he began his coaching career as a graduate assistant in Tuscaloosa, Ala. before being promoted to coach a combination of tight ends and wide receivers for the next five years. Swinney coached under Gene Stallings and Mike DuBose. He was fired from Alabama with all of the DuBose staff in 2001.

Swinney wouldn’t be the cheapest hire, but no one expects Alabama Athletic Director Greg Byrne to go discount shopping.

Clemson signed Swinney to a new $115-million contract through 2031 that made him one of the highest-paid coaches in all of college football. His buyout is among the steepest in the sport as well, and it goes up if he leaves for Alabama.

Should Swinney be hired by Byrne, his buyout is 1.5 times higher than if he went to any other college football program. Right now, he’d cost Alabama an additional $7.5 million on top of whatever salary was negotiated.

There is no confirmation that Swinney is currently seeking the Alabama job, but the inclusion of the Alabama-specific buyout in his past two contracts says a lot.

Swinney has been Clemson’s head coach since 2009 and helped bring success back to the Tigers. He has won two College Football Playoff championships and earned a CFP trip in six of the eight previous years.

Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney’s 10-year, $115 million contract announced Thursday extends him through the 2031 season while keeping a higher employee buyout in place if he ever leaves the school to coach the Crimson Tide.

Of course, Swinney is one of many names being thrown around for the Alabama job. With the Saban coaching tree running deep throughout college football, many wonder if the Crimson Tide will favor someone with a Saban connection, still others are looking to younger, upcoming coaches who have shown early success despite limited head coaching experience.

Top Contenders to Replace Nick Saban

Dan Lanning, Oregon ($20 million buyout)

Kalen DeBoer, Washington ($12 million buyout)

Dabo Swinney, Clemson ($7.5 million buyout)

James Franklin, Penn State ($6 million buyout)

Mike Norvell, Florida State ($4 million buyout)