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Alabama fans make opinion on Dabo Swinney replacing Nick Saban very clear

The rumor mill was active after Nick Saban retired from Alabama, but these Crimson Tide fans made their opinion about one replacement abundantly clear
James Parks|
Alabama fans make opinion on Dabo Swinney replacing Nick Saban very clear
Alabama fans make opinion on Dabo Swinney replacing Nick Saban very clear

As expected, the college football rumor mill was buzzing like never before after Nick Saban, considered the greatest coach in the sport's history, announced his retirement. And while Alabama will go on a historic search for the successor to the GOAT, some Tide fans assembled on campus made their views on one potential option very clear.

Standing around the Nick Saban statue outside Bryant-Denny Stadium, a monument to the coach now lined with his favorite Oatmeal Cream Pies and characteristic bottles of Coke, took part in a brief chant — "Anyone but Dabo."

A small, but vocal contingent of Alabama fans who seem dead-set against Clemson coach Dabo Swinney returning to his alma mater to lead the football program.

Swinney played wide receiver for the Crimson Tide, including on its 1992 national championship team, and helped build Clemson into a national power that twice beat Alabama in the College Football Playoff national championship game.

But he's also considered a somewhat polarizing figure in the sport, given his comments and stances around questions like NIL and the transfer portal.

And since the school's early success in the playoff era, Clemson has failed to qualify for the four-team national semifinal in any of the last three seasons.

Whatever the reason, some Bama fans don't want to see Dabo on their sideline. In the meantime, the school is on the lookout for Nick Saban's eventual replacement.

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James Parks
JAMES PARKS

James Parks is the founder and publisher of College Football HQ. He has covered football for a decade, previously managing several team sites and publishing national content for 247Sports.com for five years. His work has also been published on CBSSports.com. He founded College Football HQ in 2020, and the site joined the Sports Illustrated Fannation Network in 2022 and the On SI network in 2024.

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