Palmetto Proving Grounds

I think they would actually give Dabo a look

Nah, Dabo's act appeals to 18 year old kids. Can't see Bama's AD falling for it.

Gary Patterson may actually listen to Bama.

I think their best option would be to promote from within

great question. The first person I thought of was Les, but you are probably right in that they don't want him. There's really no one out there. You could give it to kirby smart, but he's never been a head coach anywhere so I doubt that entrust their program to a first time head coach. With that said, two names pop out. David Shaw, head coach out of Stanford. The program didn't miss a beat when Harbaugh left and they've been recruiting down south. Frank Beamer, head coach of VT. I understand he's entrenched at VT, but thats because outside of last season, he's had consistent winners. He's the only guy I can think of off the top of my head with enough head coach experience to not be buried under the pressure of winning fast.

But i just thought of something. If they want an NFL guy, Jon Gruden. Alabama is the best gig in the nation, college or otherwise. Why not?

Given their style of play, I'd see them targeting someone who runs a similar smashmouth system. Shaw from Stanford fits the bill but I don't see a west coast guy in Bama. Shiano fits the style, not sure about the cultural fit though. Maybe O'Brien from PSU.

Do you believe we're destined to return to 5-loss seasons irrespective of who we hire?

I think they go after Gruden or Cowher hard. Maybe O'brien, the Stanford coach or Patterson.

The more I think about it, the more I'd say O'brien. Like Saban he's a Belichick disciple.

Agree on each point you raise.

We're talking 4-5 years down the road. Coaching pool will be very different then, so it's impossible to say. Unless we win the BCS title, Spurrier will be around that long. We'll have a Sugar Bowl win under belt IMO. We'll be one of the top programs open in whichever yr HBC steps down. Too hard to say who we hire at that point.

This^^ would you have believe if someone would have told you that Kelly would be the Eagles new HC? What he has accomplished while at Oregon was impressive.. I have a heard time thinking it will translate in the NFL. He will regret walking away from that gold mine IMO.. if the NCAA doesn't eventually bust them for fractions under his era. One year of the carousel is enough to boggle the mind but 4-5 years down the road is a complete unknown in college football.