Nick Saban makes case for Brian Daboll to fill Penn State’s head coaching vacancy

Penn State parted ways with head coach James Franklin on Oct. 12, just one day after Northwestern upset the Nittany Lions.

Franklin has since accepted a job at Virginia Tech, while Penn State continues to search for someone to fill its head coaching vacancy. Multiple reports have linked Brian Daboll to Penn State. The New York Giants relieved Daboll of his coaching duties earlier this month after three and a half seasons.

Amid the chatter, legendary college football coach Nick Saban threw his support behind Daboll. Saban said Daboll would be an “outstanding hire” for Penn State.

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New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field Oct. 26, 2025. (Eric Hartline/Imagn Images)

Saban has familiarity with Daboll’s coaching abilities. Daboll worked under Saban when he was Alabama’s offensive coordinator during the Crimson Tide’s run to the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2017.

Saban cited the successful one-year run he had with Daboll and also highlighted Daboll’s other successes as an assistant coach in the NFL.

“I love Brian. He did a great job here with us. Offensive coordinator, we won the championship with him calling the plays. He’s been to the Super Bowl several times with [Bill] Belichick, and won,” Saban said on Wednesday during an appearance on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show.”

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Before landing the head coaching opportunity with the Giants, Daboll had assistant coaching stints with the New England Patriots, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills.

“I think he was in a tough situation with the Giants, but I do think that he’s a very good coach. He’s a bright guy. He’s a good recruiter,” Saban continued.

“He relates well to the players. He’s a good teacher. He’s got a good offensive mind. He’ll be able to put a good staff together. I think that would be an outstanding hire.”

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban before the SEC championship game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Dec. 2, 2023.  (John David Mercer/USA Today Sports)

Earlier this month, The Athletic reported that Daboll was “believed to have interest” in and “expected to get some consideration” for the football coaching job at University Park, Pennsylvania.

The report added that Daboll had received support from “some former NFL players with strong ties to Penn State.”

Alabama head coach Nick Saban and assistant coach Brian Daboll during a game against the Vanderbilt Commodores Sept. 23, 2017, at Commodore Stadium in Nashville.   (Jamie Gilliam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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After dropping a close game to No. 2 Indiana in Week 11, Penn State has managed to win its last two games. The Nittany Lions travel to New Jersey for a regular-season finale with Rutgers.

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