Who Could Be In the Running for Alabama’s Head Coach?

The tweet heard around the world.

That was the reaction of the college football world as ESPN's Chris Low broke the news that seven-time national champion head coach Nick Saban was retiring from the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Low discussed the new opening and who could potentially be involved in a highly exclusive coaching search.

In an interview with Tide 100.9's very own Ryan Fowler, Low had some things to say about the opening.

Low first talked about his breaking news and his reaction to Coach Saban's retirement:
"I don't think anybody knew outside of Terry Saban, Nick's agent Jimmy Sexton, and I think Greg Byrne knew. But I don't think anybody on staff knew."

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Fowler asked Low what was next for Alabama.

"I think they'll have a coach pretty soon. Everybody wants to know is a day, two days, a week? I think it'll be sooner than a week" Low said.

Low mentioned two names that he thinks are at the top of the list for the Crimson Tide opening, "Mike Norvell and Kalen DeBoer."

Low also said, "I think [Steve] Sarkisian is a guy that has been or would be on the list. Dan Lanning has already come out and said he's not interested and is staying with Oregon."

He said Sarkisian knows the pressure of working at Alabama and being a coach there because he's done it twice. He also mentioned that he thinks whatever Alabama would offer Sarkisian, Texas would immediately match it. "I think he's a long shot."

Low also ruled out two coaches who have been linked to the opening, "I do not think Lane Kiffin or Dabo Swinney are in the mix."

He mentioned three names that might shock Alabama fans "I think they'll interview Tommy Rees, they'll reach out to DeMeco Ryans, and I think there's a very good chance they'll reach out to Mike Locksley."

"That's what I'm hearing right now," Low said.

"I can say this, whoever is coming in is inheriting a much better situation than he did."

When asked specifically about Dabo Swinney, Low said, "I don't think Dabo is in it at all. His is not a name that I've heard."

"I haven't heard Lane Kiffin's name at all."

"The names I've heard the most are Norvell and DeBoer."

Fowler asked Chris Low if he thought this could travel into the weekend. Low said, "It depends on the situation. Greg Byrne is a smart and savvy administrator."

Ryan Fowler conducted the interview, and you can listen to him on Tide 100.9 every weekday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. CT.

Tide 100.9 will have complete coverage of the highly exclusive head coaching search. Follow along on all platforms.