Finebaum: Dabo Swinney is 'the only person' who can replace Nick Saban |
ESPN’s Paul Finebaum was the Master of Ceremonies for the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame dinner over the weekend, where Clemson coach Dabo Swinney was among the inductees.
Noting the number of Clemson representatives on hand for Swinney’s honor, Finebaum couldn’t resist a joke addressed to Tigers athletic director Dan Radakovich. “Are you guys that paranoid about letting (Swinney) be this close to his hometown and so close to so many Alabama boosters without an escort?” Finebaum recalled saying in an interview with JOX FM. “They’re not going to try to hire him - at least not yet.” Swinney had jokes of his own, noting that he was “also (there) because that’s just how good Alabama is these days, if you beat ‘em they put your butt right in the hall of fame.” He has been no stranger to talk of a potential return to his alma mater, including not long after bringing Clemson its second national title. “I am humbled by that and certainly appreciate anybody that would even think that way that they would want me be a candidate for a job like Alabama or whatever,” Swinney told ESPN last year. “But that's just kinda the fandom. You know people just naturally make connections and think things like that and they never really consider all factors. I've always said you never say never because you never know what the dynamics will be.” Finebaum said he was more in the camp that Swinney would never leave Clemson before observing how comfortable he was being back in his home-state. “I know what everyone says about Clemson and I’ve said it,” Finebaum said. “You ask and answer the question as you ask it that there’s no way he would ever leave there. But man, was he ever touched to be back home. Tearing up talking about his days at Alabama (and had) coach (Gene) Stallings sitting right there behind him. I’m not so sure anymore (he wouldn’t leave Clemson).” Finebaum says he respects Clemson as a program, but he sees Alabama as a tough place to say no to when the job comes open. “They (Clemson) will continue to do whatever they can to continue to pour money into that program,” Finebaum said. “Whether you’ve been there and seen it on television, it’s unbelievable. They’re proud of it. I’m probably going to upset somebody here, but when it comes down to it, it’s Alabama vs. Clemson. It’s no contest if you’re thinking about ‘OK, where do I really want to be long-term?’ And I think because he’s from Alabama I’m going to keep pushing that ball up the hill. And the fact that he’s already won that championship (at Clemson). “Nobody wants to replace Saban — it’s an impossible task. But I will say this, before anyone says it’s impossible to replace Nick Saban, I think the only person who can replace Nick Saban is Dabo Swinney.” .@ClemsonFB coach #DaboSwinney loves @ClemsonUniv & @AlabamaFTBL @finebaum says only person who could replace Nick is Dabo. Swinney tells me, "Bama's on a lake with a pool in the backyard and we're on an interior lot- but we're now in the neighborhood." Vintage Dabo at @ASHOF pic.twitter.com/SnU8Tnzb6r “I’m also here because that’s just how good Alabama is these days, if you beat ‘em they put your butt right in the hall of fame.” Dabo Swinney with the quote of the evening at Alabama Sports HOF induction ceremony pic.twitter.com/P1OQyZ7ZXY
Upgrade Your Account
Unlock premium boards and exclusive features (e.g. ad-free) by upgrading your account today.
Upgrade Now
