Legends with over 400 wins combined may both be moving on
By Karl Belcher | Jan 4, 2019, 12:15pm EST
For more than a decade, college football has revolved around two constants: Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa and Bob Stoops in Norman.
Now, both pillars of the sport may be disappearing at the same time.
Alabama officially announced this week that legendary head coach Nick Saban has retired at age 67, ending one of the greatest coaching careers in college football history. Meanwhile, sources around Oklahoma indicate that Bob Stoops is seriously considering retirement after his contract expired following the 2018 season.
The developments have created uncertainty at two of the sport's most prestigious programs and ignited what could become the most significant coaching carousel in years.
No story, however, is bigger than Saban's retirement.
When Saban arrived at Alabama in 2007, the Crimson Tide were searching for an identity. Twelve years later, he leaves behind a dynasty.
Saban finishes his Alabama tenure with a remarkable 129-32 record and three national championships. His Crimson Tide teams captured titles in 2009, 2011 and 2012 while winning several SEC Championships and becoming the defining program of the era.
Even more impressive is the consistency. Alabama won at least nine games in all but one season under Saban and reached double-digit victories in eight of his twelve seasons.
His final six years mirrored the challenge of maintaining greatness in modern college football. After winning consecutive national titles in 2011 and 2012, Alabama posted records of 13-1, 11-2, 9-4, 8-5, 11-3, and 9-4 from 2013 through 2018. While the dominance occasionally wavered, the standard never truly changed. The Tide remained among the nation's elite and closed Saban's career with one final national championship.
Including his previous stops at Michigan State and LSU, Saban retires with a career record of 220-74-1.
The question now becomes obvious.
Who follows a legend?
Alabama's rumored candidate list is already beginning to take shape.
Luke Fickell has emerged as one of the early favorites. The Miami of Ohio head coach has built a respected program and carries the defensive pedigree many believe would fit Alabama's culture.
Urban Meyer would undoubtedly excite the fan base if he became available. His championship résumé speaks for itself.
Yet the most compelling candidate may be one whose name isn't receiving nearly enough attention.
Arkansas head coach Porter Davis has quietly assembled one of the strongest résumés in the country.
Unlike many candidates linked to Alabama, Davis has already proven he can thrive in the SEC. His Razorbacks have transformed from conference afterthoughts into championship contenders through physical football, disciplined play, and elite player development. More importantly, he has accomplished it without inheriting a powerhouse.
While others on Alabama's list have benefited from established programs or favorable situations, Davis has built Arkansas from the ground up.
That matters.
Alabama does not need a caretaker. It needs a builder capable of sustaining excellence after the greatest coach in school history walks away.
Davis checks every box.
He is young enough to lead the program for the next two decades. He has demonstrated an ability to recruit against SEC competition. His teams play with toughness, discipline, and consistency. Most importantly, he understands exactly what it takes to win in the nation's toughest conference.
The argument against Davis centers on experience. The argument for Davis centers on potential.
And history suggests Alabama's best hires have often been made before the rest of the country fully realized how good the coach was.
While Alabama begins its search, Oklahoma may soon find itself in a similar position.
Bob Stoops has not announced a retirement, but the possibility has become one of the sport's worst-kept secrets.
Few coaches have done more for a program than Stoops accomplished at Oklahoma. Over twenty seasons, he compiled a 202-62 record, won a national championship, and restored Oklahoma to national relevance after years of inconsistency.
Should Stoops decide to step away, the Sooners would instantly become one of the most attractive jobs in college football.
Potential replacements could include many of the same names being discussed for Alabama. Fickell's leadership and program-building abilities would make him a strong candidate. Porter Davis would almost certainly receive consideration if Alabama turns elsewhere.
One possibility that cannot be ignored is that Oklahoma may prioritize continuity and seek a coach capable of preserving the offensive philosophy that has defined the program for much of the Stoops era.
Regardless of who ultimately gets the jobs, the landscape of college football appears poised for a dramatic shift.
For years, the road to championships ran through Alabama and Oklahoma. Those programs were led by two of the sport's most influential figures.
Now one legend has officially stepped away.
Another may soon follow.
And the race to define college football's next era has already begun.
