Nick Saban Alabama Replacement? DeMeco Ryans of Texans, Finebaum Says in Odd Rumor
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Alabama needs a replacement for the retiring Nick Saban. And college-football media guy Paul Finebaum has a ... wild idea.
"I don't know if this is a reality or not, but I think at some point DeMeco Ryans' name is going to be mentioned," Finebaum said on ESPN's SportsCenter.
Is that Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans? Or is there another one out there?
With no disrespect to the incredible 'Bama program, there is no indication that this ... wild idea ... is part of Ryans' personal career-path plan. He's built a reputation as a defensive coordinator on his way to getting his first crack at being a head coach, here with the Texans.
And he's pushing all of the right buttons - with ownership, with the locker room and with the fan base, which already loved him from his Houston playing days - to guide star rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Texans to an AFC South title in his rookie season season.
His Texans will face the Cleveland Browns in a first-round matchup on Saturday. ... and we imagine that this - not leaving Houston after one year - is part of Ryans' dream come true.
Finebaum does note, "It's unlikely that he would walk away after a masterpiece this year in Houston.'' And maybe that should be the end of this conversation, except that the SEC expert circles back by adding, "But don't forget he was an All-American at Alabama and is beloved by that fan base."
To repeat: He also played for the Texans and is beloved by this fan base - now more than ever.
Interestly, Finebaum sort of creates a reason that it won't happen: Timing.
"It would be a very unique hire,'' he said. "I think that would be complicated. I think ('Bama) wants a coach by the end of this week. That's not going to happen with Demeco Ryans."
Well, no. That's because Ryans is coaching a playoff game on Saturday.
But speaking logically (and without any bias to anyone's beloved and worshipped SEC): If Alabama was Ryans' dream job ... and if Ryans is Alabama's dream candidate ...
Saban retired on Wednesday. Today is Thursday. The Texans play Saturday.
If it's a shared dream, the involved parties wouldn't wait until Sunday to make a decision on Ryans-to-Alabama?
