AL.com sportswriter Creg Stephenson projects future coach in 2026

#78
#78
I'm happy with the assumption that Pruitt is still gonna be coaching UT in 2026. That would be longer than any coach since Fulmer.

Not sure I believe it, but I'm happy someone else does.
 
#79
#79
It depends on when Saban retires as to who will replace him. If he retires before 2026 Dabo will have been successful enough at Clemson to leave for Alabama and try to continue his legacy with even more support than he currently has. It is also possible that the AD will replace from within so that he is not the blame for losing games because Dabo's culture change is to much as a hire from outside. The only way that CJP will leave for Alabama is if he proves that he can outcoach the best coaches in college football and for some reason cannot get the recruits to UT over Bama. I don't see that happening given the current trajectory of the program's current recruiting. The other possibility that could happen is that CJP does well at Tennessee but not well enough to win at the highest level and returns to Bama as a coordinator or assistant HC to prime himself to take over after being promoted from within after Saban retires.

There are probably more scenarios that are plausible that I have not mentioned, but these are the most likely IMO. I think that changes are going to start happening well before 2026 because as Saban's tenure comes to a close the AD and boosters at Bama will see the writing on the wall and move to keep themselves on top. There is a too much money and stature within the NCAA that Bama stands to lose is they aren't precise in their moves. But mistakes have been made in the past in other winning programs that lead to their demise. So we will see what happens... I hope they crash and burn. GBO!!
 
#80
#80
If Bama is interested in Pruitt between now and then that means Tennessee is back to prominence and would be in a situation to grab a great coach to replace Pruitt. I like Pruitts no BS attitude and if he is successful here I want him to stick around but if he were to jump ship he’s for sure leaving Tennessee better than he found it.
 
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#81
#81
Nice conversation but Pruitt has yet to accomplish anything as a head coach. As of now you are cooking with a cold burner.
 
#84
#84
Vol$_Deep_11_9 said:
Pruitt seems the type to want to make his mark on his own program. That's not to say Bama don't make him a Godfather offer later in his career and he don't take it, I just don't think he'd want to follow Saban. When Saban leaves, depending on the coach, I could see that program going through something similar to what Florida went through and really still is, after Urban left. Cupboard definitely won't be left bare but this ridiculous yet history making run won't happen again by them in our life time. I could be wrong and that could be the "homer" coming out in me but that's just how I possibly see it going down. Time will tell though.
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Agreed. If Pruitt gets it going here, is properly compensated and relations are good with the AD then he's not leaving. Dabo would be a fool to leave Clemson. He's turned them into a national power and until FSU or Miami get their ducks in line, then Clemson has a ridiculously good path to the playoff on an annual basis. Why give up everything he created at Clemson to follow Saban at Alabama? I get that he loves Alabama but it would be a very idiotic thing to do.

Bottom line is the Gumps got unbelievably lucky to have Saban in the first place. After he leaves they're going to go through 30-50 years of pain.
 
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#85
#85
Hyperion said:
Agreed. If Pruitt gets it going here, is properly compensated and relations are good with the AD then he's not leaving. Dabo would be a fool to leave Clemson. He's turned them into a national power and until FSU or Miami get their ducks in line, then Clemson has a ridiculously good path to the playoff on an annual basis. Why give up everything he created at Clemson to follow Saban at Alabama? I get that he loves Alabama but it would be a very idiotic thing to do.

Bottom line is the Gumps got unbelievably lucky to have Saban in the first place. After he leaves they're going to go through 30-50 years of pain.
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I don’t see them going through 30-50 years of it but they’ll be down for a little while. They won’t see another run like they’ve been on for a while.
 
#86
#86
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VolFreakJosh said:
Won’t happen because Dabo will be Bama’s HC during that time.
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VolFreakJosh said:
Won’t happen because Dabo will be Bama’s HC during that time.
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People that think Dabo would ever leave Clemson are boarderline delusional.

Clemson to Bama simply isn’t a step up anymore. He has built that thing for years and years. He’s in an easier conference by far and honestly Bama is his school he played for but after the years with Clemson and beating Bama...I bet he views Clemson as his school now.
 
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#87
#87
UTK said:
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People that think Dabo would ever leave Clemson are boarderline delusional.

Clemson to Bama simply isn’t a step up anymore. He has built that thing for years and years. He’s in an easier conference by far and honestly Bama is his school he played for but after the years with Clemson and beating Bama...I bet he views Clemson as his school now.
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This. The only way I see him leaving is if Bama makes him an offer he’d a fool to refuse and even then for the reasons you mentioned, I’m not sure he’d ever leave.
 
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