Nick Saban endorses Brian Daboll for Penn State coaching job as search ramps up

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

Franklin has since accepted a job at Virginia Tech, and Penn State continues to look for someone to fill its head coaching vacancy. Numerous reports link Brian Daboll to the University of Pennsylvania. New York Giants trade Daboll of his coaching duties earlier this month after three and a half seasons.

Amid the chatter, legendary college football coach Nick Saban endorsed Daboll. Saban said Daboll will be an “outstanding hire” for Penn State.

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Saban is familiar with Daboll's coaching work. Daboll worked under Saban when Daboll was Alabama's offensive coordinator during the Crimson Tide's run to the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2017.

Saban mentioned the successful year he had with Daboll and also highlighted Daboll's other successes as an assistant coach at NFL.

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

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Before getting the opportunity to become a head coach with the Giants, Daboll served as an assistant coach 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 think he's a very good coach. He's a smart guy. He's a good recruiter,” Saban continued.

“He gets along well with the players. He's a good teacher. He's got a good offensive mind. He'll be able to put together a good lineup. I think he'll be an outstanding candidate.”

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban prior to the SEC Championship Game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 2, 2023. (John David Mercer/USA Today Sports)

Earlier this month, The Athletic reported that Daboll was “thought to have expressed interest” and “expected to receive some consideration” for the Penn State job.

The report added that Daboll has received support from “several 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 on September 23, 2017 at Commodore Stadium in Nashville. (Jamie Gilliam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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After resetting a close game to No. 2 Indiana in Week 11, Penn State won its last two games. The Nittany Lions travel to New Jersey for Saturday's regular-season finale against Rutgers.

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