Explaining why Alabama is a good job for coaches despite pressure of following Nick Saban

Following in the footsteps of Nick Saban is about a tall of a task that there will ever be in college football. Still, while they’ll have to work for it, On3’s Andy Staples says whoever takes the Alabama job is still going to have one of the best gigs in the nation.

Staples analyzed the Crimson Tide’s opening during an appearance on ‘Pardon My Take’ on Friday. In his opinion, it remains a great opportunity because of the commitment to the program from the fanbase and donors, especially with the relationship and interactions that Saban set up with him.

“It’s still a really good job because it’s a place where people care so deeply about football,” said Staples.

“It’s a place where people will pull in the same direction. I think Saban showed them how to do this,” Staples explained. “Everybody who is a rich person who has influence at the university doesn’t need to have influence over this. If you just trust the coach, trust the AD? You can watch it work. Just give them the money and let them go.”

However, Staples doesn’t believe it’s best job in the sport, particularly because of how simple that their last coach made it seem to be. He’d give that spot to Georgia for now while also giving consideration to a program like Ohio State.

“I’ve always said Georgia is the best job. It was like 2015 when I flipped Georgia to my No. 1 best job and I still think that’s true. I think it’s easier to recruit to Georgia. So Kirby (Smart) has got the best job – he’s showing why right now,” Staples said. “Ohio State is probably a better job because of the way you dominate that state. You’ve got tons of money, tons of people.”

“Alabama is a little bit harder than those jobs and Nick Saban made it look easy,” said Staples.

Staples continued by saying that Alabama is even more of a challenge because of in-state competition. While other schools have their home to themselves, the Crimson Tide have Auburn competing side by side with them. With the efforts of Hugh Freeze as well, Staples believes that Saban’s successor is going to have his work cut out for him.

“It’s hard because not only do you not have as many really good players in the state of Alabama but you also have to deal with Auburn,” Staples said. “There are times when Auburn has a really good recruiting head coach. Like, Gus Malzahn was fantastic at Auburn. He just wasn’t good enough to be better than Nick Saban. That’s the problem.”

“Hugh Freeze is there now. Hugh Freeze is going to recruit like a madman,” said Staples. “He’s going to get talent at Auburn. So, like, whoever gets the job at Alabama is going to have to fight tooth and nail for every single good player that comes out of Alabama.”

Every job comes with its specific hurdles and challenges. Even with the Tide’s own, though, Staples knows that, no matter who follows Saban, Alabama can remain one of the best openings in the country.