What we know about Alabama coaching search: Kalen DeBoer nearing deal to be next coach
The Alabama football coaching search is underway and Nick Saban's replacement will soon be determined.
Saban announced his retirement Wednesday after 17 seasons with the Crimson Tide, having won six national championships, 10 SEC West titles and nine conference championships over that span. Saban retired after a half century in coaching in which he won seven national championships total and achieved numerous other accomplishments.
Now, Alabama athletics director Greg Byrne will look to find Saban's replacement. It's a decision Byrne knew he would have to make when he took the job in 2017, and now that day is here.
Who will Byrne hire?
More: Relive Nick Saban's epic Alabama football run with our special book!
He's known for keeping his coaching searches close to the vest, but a decision likely won't be prolonged. Alabama has players anxiously awaiting the decision before deciding whether to stay or enter the transfer portal. Crimson Tide players now have a 30-day window to do so because of Saban leaving.
As the search progresses, this page will be updated with new information gleaned. Here's what we know and what we're hearing about the Alabama football coaching search.
Kalen DeBoer nearing deal with Alabama football to be next coach: Jan. 12, 1:39 p.m. CT
DeBoer, the Washington coach, is expected to be the Crimson Tide's next coach, barring something in the late stage negotiating process, USA TODAY's Dan Wolken has reported.
Latest on Mike Norvell, Steve Sarkisian: Jan. 12, 11:15 a.m. CT
Norvell and Sarkisian are both out of the race it seems after both have posted to social media affirming their commitment to Florida State and Texas, respectively. Several outlets are reporting a new deal for Norvell. Now the question is, what happens with Kalen DeBoer? There's been no posts to social media from him yet, and he had his radio appearance scheduled for Friday morning canceled.
Two prominent names emerge, plus one wild card: Jan. 11, 5:30 p.m. CT
Now more than 24 hours into the search, two prominent names and one wild card have emerged for the head coaching opening.
At this point, as of Thursday night, Washington's Kalen DeBoer and Florida State's Mike Norvell are two top candidates in the running, sources tell The Tuscaloosa News. Another being considered is current Alabama offensive coordinator Tommy Rees.
DeBoer and Norvell both have head coaching experience while Rees does not. The top names in the running can always change, but Norvell and DeBoer are certainly prominent candidates as of Thursday night and Rees is being looked at as well.
Dan Lanning update: Jan. 11, 11 a.m. CT
Lanning announced he's not leaving Oregon. So, the former Alabama graduate assistant will not be the Crimson Tide's next coach.
Dan Lanning update: Jan. 11, 9:45 a.m. CT
Dan Lanning was not in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday night. I'm certain of that, even though reports indicated he was.
Now, that doesn't mean Oregon coach isn't in the running for the job. But the notion he was in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday night isn't true.
I know it's a fact that Lanning was not in Tuscaloosa, and I know it with 100% certainty. And it makes sense for multiple reasons. First, logistically that wouldn't be the easiest thing to pull off considering Saban informed folks in the building Wednesday afternoon of his decision to retire. Second, that just doesn't seem to fit the way Byrne operates. He's secretive and sharp about the way he goes about a search. He's not about to trot out a candidate for curious eyes to spot or see.
ALABAMA FOOTBALL COACHING SEARCH: Alabama football coaching search: 5 candidates to replace Nick Saban
NICK SABAN: Alabama football coaching search: 5 candidates to replace Nick Saban
Nick Kelly is the Alabama beat writer for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network, and he covers Alabama football and men's basketball. Reach him at nkelly@gannett.com or follow him @_NickKelly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football coaching search updates: What we know and are hearing
