Alabama Football: 5 potential head coaching candidates to replace Nick Saban

5. Mike Norvell, Florida State HC

When Alabama hired Nick Saban in 2007, he had built a reputation as one of the best defensive playcallers in the game. The Crimson Tide could hire another coach with a reputation for being one of the best playcallers in the game. The only difference is Florida State head coach Mike Norvell has a reputation for being one of the best offensive play callers in the game.

If Alabama is committed to Jalen Milroe as its quarterback, take a look at what Norvell did with Jordan Travis. Norvell has shown the ability to navigate the transfer portal and has improved FSU's high school recruiting.

Norvell won ten games at Memphis twice, including leading the Tigers to a New Year's Six Bowl appearance in 2019. If Alabama decided to hire Norvell, he'd inherit a much better situation than at FSU. Would he leave Florida State after what he's built there? It would be hard to say no to Alabama.

With all that has happened in Tallahassee this year, Norvell might not be hard to pluck from Florida State. There is much uncertainty about the Seminoles' status in the ACC, or the ACC's future for that matter. Norvell might not be the homerun Alabama fans would look for, but sometimes, the practical hire is the best.