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 one day after Northwestern upset the Nittany Lions.

Franklin has since accepted a position at Virginia Tech, while Penn State continues to search for someone to fill its head coaching position. Multiple reports have linked Brian Daboll to Penn State. The New York Giants relieved Daboll of his coaching duties earlier this month after three and a half seasons.

Amid the discussions, legendary college football coach Nick Saban threw his support behind Daboll. Saban said Daboll would be an “outstanding hire” for Penn State.

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New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 26, 2025. (Eric Hartline/Imagn Images)

Saban is familiar with Daboll’s coaching. 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 cited the successful one year he had with Daboll and also highlighted Daboll’s other successes as an assistant coach in the NFL.

“I love Brian. He’s done a great job here with us. Offensive coordinator, we won the championship with him running the plays. He’s been to the Super Bowl several times with [Bill] Belichick and I won,” Saban said Wednesday during an appearance on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show.”

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Before landing the head coaching opportunity with the Giants, Daboll worked 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 brilliant guy. He’s a good recruiter,” Saban continued.

“He has good relationships with the players. He is a good teacher. He has a good offensive mind. He will be able to put together a good staff. I think he would be an exceptional recruit.”

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban before 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 “would be interested” and “should receive some consideration” for the Penn State job.

The report adds that Daboll received support from “some 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 losing a close game to No. 2 Indiana in Week 11, Penn State has won its last two games. The Nittany Lions travel to New Jersey for a regular season finale with Rutgers on Saturday.

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