Nick Saban, a legend in college football, has voiced full support for Brian Daboll as the next head coach at Penn State. The endorsement from Saban, a former Alabama coach who won multiple national championships, has bolstered Daboll’s reputation as a highly sought-after candidate. Saban, who previously worked with Daboll as Alabama’s offensive coordinator during the 2017 College Football Playoff run, praised Daboll’s coaching skills and his ability to build successful offensive schemes. “I love Brian. He did a great job here with us. Offensive coordinator, we won the championship with him calling the plays. He’s been to the Super Bowl several times with Bill Belichick and won,” Saban stated during an appearance on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show.”
The support for Daboll comes amid ongoing speculation about his interest in the Penn State vacancy, which opened after James Franklin was dismissed following a shocking loss to Northwestern. Franklin, who had been with Penn State since 2016, was let go just one day after the loss, and has since accepted a job at Virginia Tech. The firing has left Penn State searching for a replacement, and multiple reports indicate that Daboll is a leading candidate for the position. The Athletic recently reported that Daboll was “believed to have interest” in the job and “expected to get some consideration.”
Daboll’s coaching resume includes significant accomplishments with both college and professional teams. As the head coach for the New York Giants, he led the team to a playoff berth during his tenure, though he was relieved of his duties earlier this month. Before his time with the Giants, Daboll had assistant coaching roles with multiple NFL franchises, including the New England Patriots, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, and Buffalo Bills. Saban credited Daboll’s ability to work with players and his strong leadership qualities, emphasizing that he would be an “outstanding hire” for Penn State.
Penn State’s coaching search has intensified as the team looks to regain its competitive edge after a rocky start to the season. The Nittany Lions have bounced back from a loss to Indiana in Week 11, securing two consecutive wins in the process. They are set to face Rutgers in their final regular-season game in New Jersey. The outcome of this game could provide critical momentum for Penn State as they prepare for the college football season. With Daboll’s name gaining traction among coaching circles and former players, the search for a new head coach is expected to conclude in the coming weeks.