On3 Lists Steve Sarkisian As Potential Candidate to Replace Nick Saban at Alabama

Nick Saban retired after 17 seasons with the Alabama Crimson Tide, and On3 believes Texas Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian could be a candidate to replace him.

The Texas Longhorns are coming off of their best season since 2009, winning the Big 12 and making it to the College Football Playoff semi-finals, where they fell in a heartbreaker to Washington in the Sugar Bowl. 

And with that, would normally come speculation about a head coach leaving for greener pastures. 

But this is Texas. And the job in Austin is about as good as it gets. 

That said, with legendary Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban retiring on Wednesday afternoon, there is now one place that could potentially try and poach any coach in the country that they desire - including Sarkisian. 

Now, for the record, we do not believe this will happen, and we believe that Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte will soon be extending Sarkisian. 

Nevertheless, On3's Andy Staples has come up with a list of potential replacements for Saban in Tuscaloosa, and included Sarkisian on the list. 

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Said Staples:

"Like Lanning, would former Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian leave a job that already has most of the same advantages as Alabama? With Texas moving into the SEC and no Saban as an opponent, it might already be a better job. But taking over Saban’s infrastructure might be incredibly attractive. Sarkisian and others are trying to build a system at their schools that already exists at Alabama. That probably would be the main reason Sark or Lanning would consider the job."

Other candidates on the list include Mike Norvell at Florida State, Oregon's Dan Lanning, Washington's Kalen DeBoer, Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman, Lane Kiffin from Ole Miss, Clemson's Dabo Swinney, Colorado's Deion Sanders, Penn State's James Franklin, Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and recently fired Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel.

Saban Retires, Pressure Turns to Chris Del Conte & Sarkisian's Extension

As far as the list goes, there are only four or five names that we believe are realistic candidates for the Tide - Kiffin, DeBoer, Lanning, Norvell, and perhaps Franklin.

Still, Sarkisian's history with the Tide cannot be ignored, and the appeal of what has been built in Tuscaloosa would be tantalizing to anyone Alabama approaches.