Stephen A. Smith tabs best candidate to replace Nick Saban at Alabama, admits it won’t happen

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The search for Nick Saban’s replacement at Alabama continues, two days after the seven-time national champion hung up his headset. 

On Thursday, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning shot down the idea he’d take the job when Lanning and Oregon released a video showing the Ducks head coach calling a team meeting and telling his players he wasn’t going anywhere.

Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines during the CFP semifinal Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 2024, in Pasadena, Calif.  (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Steve Sarkisian is reportedly close to finalizing an extension with Texas, and Florida State head coach Mike Norvell has agreed to an eight-year contract, according to multiple reports. 

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As Alabama looks to replace the legend, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith offered his take on who would be the best fit to become the Crimson Tide's head coach — Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders. 

"Y’all going to call me crazy, but I’m going to say it again. ‘Prime Time’ Deion Sanders," Smith said Friday on "First Take." 

"The reason why I feel that way is because I’m thinking about today’s generation of players. … I’m thinking about NIL. I’m thinking about the transfer portal, which obviously were things that Nick Saban had some degree of a problem with."

Sanders overhauled the Colorado roster in his first season as head coach before going 4-8 in 2023. 

Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the start of the spring game at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo., April 22, 2023. (Ron Chenoy/USA Today Sports)

"And