The latest from Alabama's coaching search. Where does Dabo stand?

Alabama has been the center of the college football world since Nick Saban announced his retirement. Here are the latest updates.

After the news broke Wednesday afternoon that Alabama head coach Nick Saban was retiring, rumors began flying about who will be the next head coach for the Crimson Tide.

We didn't know who it would be, but one thing seemed certain: the decision would come quickly. Saban wouldn't leave the Tide without a new coach waiting in the wings, would he? And even if he did, no one can say no to that job, could they?

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney.

Clemson Athletics

Well, as we sit here on Friday morning, it does not appear that an announcement from Alabama is imminent. One of the leading candidates, Oregon's Dan Lanning, announced on social media that he is remaining at the school, spurning some unknown offer that apparently tried to lure him away. The other giant name that has been floated around is Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney. 

Swinney would be a natural fit for Alabama. Not only is he the most accomplished coach now in college football, he's a Birmingham native and Alabama letterman. Landing Swinney would be a massive win for Alabama and would keep them at a College Football Playoff level, but that doesn't mean he would want the job.

Sources have indicated that Alabama has been in contact with Dabo Swinney but conversations haven't moved past a cordial stage. Alabama can offer Swinney things that Clemson can not, but Clemson can say the same to Alabama.

Dabo Swinney did not create Clemson football, the Tigers had a championship history before him, but the current program has been completely stripped down and rebuilt by Swinney and shaped into his vision. Why would he want to leave that? So he can go to Alabama and carry on Nick Saban's work? For a guy who has always done things his way, that'd be a surprise. 

It appears for now that Dabo has told Alabama "Thanks, but I'm alright.". We'll see now if he uses it as leverage for a raise - that's just good business - or if the Tide come back with a new offer. But, at least for right now, it doesn't look like he's going anywhere.