Breaking down Nick Saban's coaching tree of current or former head coaches in 2024-25
michelle r. martinelli
·5-min read
Dec 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban (left), defensive coordinator Kirby Smart (center), and offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin (right) react during the second quarter of the 2015 SEC Championship Game against the Florida Gators at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Just because he retired from coaching after the 2023-24 season with Alabama doesn't mean his impact on the sport vanished. He helped change the game in many ways, including through his mentorship and coaching tree, which is quite extensive with several of his former employees becoming current or former head coaches at some point.
And because Saban's coaching tree is so extensive, it's easy to forget or lose track of some of them. But that's OK because we're here to help.
So here's a list of every Nick Saban assistant who later went on to be a head coach at the college or pro level. They are listed in alphabetical order.
Nov 4, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Major Applewhite coaches against the East Carolina Pirates in the first half at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-359985 ORIG FILE ID: 20171104_pjc_sy9_283.JPG
Head coach at Houston 2017-2018
Worked with Saban: Alabama 2007, offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach; Alabama 2019-2020, analyst
Curt Cignetti
Sep 14, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti reacts at the end of the game against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Head coach at IUP 2011-2016, Elon 2017-2018, James Madison 2019-2023, Indiana 2024-present
Worked with Saban: Alabama 2007-2010, wide receivers coach, recruiting coordinator
Geoff Collins
Nov 13, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Geoff Collins on the field before a game against the Boston College Eagles at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: IMAGN-452843 ORIG FILE ID: 20211113_jla_ad1_341.jpg
Head coach at Temple 2017-2018, Georgia Tech 2019-2022
Worked with Saban: Alabama 2007, director of player personnel
Mario Cristobal
Oct 7, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal gestures in the second half against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Head coach at Florida International 2007-2012, Oregon 2018-2021, Miami 2022-present
Worked with Saban: Alabama 2013-2016, offensive line coach, recruiting coordinator
Brian Daboll
East Rutherford, NJ -- August 24, 2024 -- Giants head coach Brian Daboll in the first half. The New York Giants and New York Jets meet at MetLife Stadium in the final preseason game of the 2024 season for both teams. Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK
Head coach of the New York Giants 2022-present
Worked with Saban: Michigan State 1998-1999, graduate assistant; Alabama 2017, offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach
Mark Dantonio
Mike Carter/USA TODAY Sports
Head coach at Cincinnati 2004-2006, Michigan State 2007-2019
Worked with Saban: Michigan State 1995-1999, defensive backs coach
Derek Dooley
Nov 17, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; Missouri Tigers offensive coordinator Derek Dooley gets off of the team bus before the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Head coach at Louisiana Tech 2007-2009, Tennessee 2010-2012
Sep 30, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher before the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Head coach at Florida State 2010-2017, Texas A&M 2018-2023
Worked with Saban: LSU 2000-2004, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach
Jason Garrett
Dec 5, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett reacts in the first half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports
Head coach of the Dallas Cowboys 2011-2019
Worked with Saban: Miami Dolphins 2005-2006, quarterbacks coach
Adam Gase
Oct 25, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets head coach Adam Gase talks with quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Head coach of the Miami Dolphins 20016-2018, New York Jets 2019-2020
Worked with Saban: LSU 2000-2002, assistant
Michael Haywood
September 4, 2010; Gainesville FL, USA; Miami Redhawks head coach Michael Haywood during the second half against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida won 34-12. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Head coach at Miami (Ohio) 2009-2010, Texas Southern 2016-2018
Worked with Saban: LSU 2000-2002, running backs and special teams
Charles Huff
Oct 7, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Marshall Thundering Herd head coach Charles Huff looks on during the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Head coach at Marshall 2021-present
Worked with Saban: Alabama 2019-2020, running backs coach
Butch Jones
Aug 11, 2017; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Butch Jones yells to players during practice at the Anderson Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Caitie McMekin/Knoxville News Sentinel via USA TODAY Sports
Head coach at Central Michigan 2007-2009, Cincinnati 2010-2012, Tennessee 2013-2017, Arkansas State 2021-present
Worked with Saban: Alabama 2018-2020, offensive analyst, assistant to the head coach
Brent Key
Aug 31, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Brent Key on the field before a game against Georgia State Panthers at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Head coach at Georgia Tech 2023-present (interim head coach in 2022)
Worked with Saban: Alabama 2016-2018, offensive line
Lane Kiffin
Sep 14, 2024; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin during pregame activity against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Head coach of the Oakland Raiders 2007-2008, Tennessee 2009, USC 2010-2013, Florida Atlantic 2017-2019, Ole Miss 2020-present
Worked with Saban: Alabama 2014-2016, offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach
Cleveland Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens paces the sideline in the fourth quarter during an NFL Week 17 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. Cincinnati Bengals won 33-23. Cleveland Browns At Cincinnati Bengals Football 12 29 2019
Head coach of the Cleveland Browns 2019
Worked with Saban: LSU 2000, graduate assistant
Dan Lanning
Oregon coach Dan Lanning oversees warmups before the game against Boise State at Autzen in Eugene Sept. 7, 2024
Head coach at Oregon 2022-present
Worked with Saban: Alabama 2015, graduate assistant
Scott Linehan
September 28, 2008; St, Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams head coach Scott Linehan signals to the referee in the 1st half against the Buffalo Bills at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Worked with Saban: Miami Dolphins 2005, offensive coordinator
Mike Locksley
Dec 30, 2023; Nashville, TN, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mike Locksley watches warmups before the game against the Auburn Tigers at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Head coach at New Mexico 2009-2011, Maryland 2019-present
Worked with Saban: Alabama 2016-2018, offensive assistant, offensive coordinator, wide receivers coach
Josh McDaniels
Oct 30, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels looks at the score board during the first half against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
Head coach of the Denver Broncos 2009-2010, Las Vegas Raiders 2022-2023
Worked with Saban: Michigan State 1999, graduate assistant
Jim McElwain
Sep 14, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Central Michigan Chippewas head coach Jim McElwain during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Head coach at Colorado State 2012-2014, Florida 2015-2017, Central Michigan 2019-present
Worked with Saban: Alabama 2008-2011, offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach
Mike Mularkey
Jan 6, 2018; Kansas City, MO, USA; Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Mularkey during the second quarter in the AFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Head coach of the Buffalo Bills 2004-2005, Jacksonville Jaguars 2012, Tennessee Titans 2016-2017
Worked with Saban: Miami Dolphins 2006, offensive coordinator
Will Muschamp
Sep 14, 2019; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Will Muschamp calls timeout against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-403982 ORIG FILE ID: 20190914_ggw_ay3_346.JPG
Head coach at Florida 2011-2014, South Carolina 2016-2020
Worked with Saban: LSU 2001-2004, linebackers coach, defensive coordinator; Miami Dolphins 2005, assistant head coach
Billy Napier
Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier talks with a sidelines official during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, September 7, 2024 against the Samford Bulldogs. The Gators lead 14-0 at the half. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]
Head coach at Louisiana 2018-2021, Florida 2022-present
Worked with Saban: Alabama 2011, analyst; Alabama 2013-2016, wide receivers coach
Dean Pees
Former Kent State quarterback Joshua Cribbs (left) is congratulated by former head coach Dean Pees after Cribbs' jersey was retired in a halftime ceremony during a game vs. Ball State, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010, at Dix Stadium.
Head coach at Kent State 1998-2003
Worked with Saban: Toledo 1990, defensive coordinator; Michigan State 1995-1997, defensive coordinator, inside linebackers coach
Brian Polian
Oct 15, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Nevada Wolf Pack head coach Brian Polian before the game at Spartan Stadium against the San Jose State Spartans. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Head coach at Nevada 2013-2016
Worked with Saban: Michigan State 1997, graduate assistant
Jeremy Pruitt
Nov 23, 2019; Columbia, MO, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Jeremy Pruitt on the sidelines during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-404531 ORIG FILE ID: 20191204_ter_sm8_332.jpg
Head coach at Tennessee 2018-2020
Worked with Saban: Alabama 2007-2012, director of player development, defensive backs coach; Alabama 2016-2017, defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach
Dan Quinn
Sep 15, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn looks on from the sidelines during the third quarter against the New York Giants at Commanders Field. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images
Head coach of the Atlanta Falcons 2015-2020, Washington Commanders 2024-present
Worked with Saban: Miami Dolphins 2005-2006, defensive line coach
Steve Sarkisian
AUSTIN, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 10: Head coach Steve Sarkisian of the Texas Longhorns talks with head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide before the game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 10, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775833760 ORIG FILE ID: 1422531226
Head coach at Washington 2009-2013, USC 2014-2015, Texas 2021-present
Worked with Saban: Alabama 2016, offensive assistant; Alabama 2019-2020, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach
Pat Shurmur
New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur on the sideline in the first half of an NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in East Rutherford. Nyg Vs Phi
Head coach at Cleveland Browns 2011-2012, Philadelphia Eagles 2015 (interim), New York Giants 2018-2019
Worked with Saban: Michigan State 1995-1997, tight ends, offensive line and special teams coach
Kirby Smart
Dec 30, 2023; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; rGeorgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart reacts after the 2023 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Head coach at Georgia 2016-present
Worked with Saban: LSU 2004, defensive backs coach; Miami Dolphins 2006, safeties coach; Alabama 2007-2015, defensive coordinator, defensive backs coach
Aug 30, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Western Michigan Broncos head coach Lance Taylor looks on during the second quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Head coach at Western Michigan 2023-present
Worked with Saban: Alabama 2007-2008, graduate assistant
Mel Tucker
Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker watches a play against Central Michigan from the sideline during the second half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023.
Head coach at Colorado 2019, Michigan State 2020-2023
Worked with Saban: Michigan State 1997-1998, graduate assistant; LSU 2000, defensive backs coach; Alabama 2015, defensive backs coach
Bobby Williams
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight ends coach Bobby Williams against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Head coach at Michigan State 2000-2002
Worked with Saban: Michigan State 1995-1999, running backs coach; LSU 2004, wide receivers coach; Miami Dolphins 2005-2006, running backs coach; Alabama 2008-2015, tight ends and special teams coach
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![Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier talks with a sidelines official during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, September 7, 2024 against the Samford Bulldogs. The Gators lead 14-0 at the half. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/NxHo8vsMBYhyp_24N3QyGA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTg2OA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/ftw_outdoors_usa_today_article_609/718a7089c90903c545ecee4443669a93)
