Former Alabama assistants had a pretty good day on conference championship Saturday
Alabama football’s fingerprints were all over conference championship Saturday in college football, even if the Crimson Tide wasn’t playing.
Four former Alabama assistant coaches led their teams to conference championships on Saturday, and fifth was his league’s runner-up. Here’s a rundown (in alphabetical order):
Marshall’s head coach Charles Huff is seen on the sidelines against Ohio State during the second half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)AP
Charles Huff, Marshall (Sun Belt)
Huff was assistant head coach and running backs coach under Nick Saban in 2019 and 2020, helping the Crimson Tide to a national championship in the latter year. His Thundering Herd beat Louisiana 31-3 on Saturday to claim the Sun Belt Conference title.
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning celebrates after the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game against Penn State, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)AP
Dan Lanning, Oregon (Big Ten)
Lanning was a graduate assistant at Alabama under Saban in 2015, when the Crimson Tide won a national championship. His top-ranked and undefeated Ducks beat Penn State 45-37 on Saturday to win the Big Ten championship.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart and players celebrate a win over Texas after the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)AP
Kirby Smart, Georgia (SEC)
Smart was Alabama’s assistant head coach and defensive backs coach under Saban in 2007, before being elevated to defensive coordinator the following year. Smart helped the Crimson Tide to four national championships before being hired by Georgia in 2016. His Bulldogs beat Texas 22-19 in overtime on Saturday to win the SEC title. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian is also a former Alabama assistant, working as an analyst (and interim offensive coordinator for one game) in 2016, then as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2019 and 2020.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney reacts in the first half of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game against SMU, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)AP
Dabo Swinney, Clemson (ACC)
Swinney played wide receiver at Alabama in the early 1990s, and later was a graduate assistant under Gene Stallings before being hired as a full-time coach in 1996. He stayed on with the Crimson Tide under Mike DuBose from 1997-2000. Swinney’s Tigers beat SMU 34-31 for the ACC title.
Incidentally, SMU’s Rhett Lashlee and Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham are both former Auburn offensive coordinators under Gus Malzahn. Dillingham’s Sun Devils beat Iowa State 45-19 for the Big 12 title on Saturday.
The only FBS conference title game played Saturday that didn’t have Alabama or Auburn ties was the MAC, where Ohio beat Miami of Ohio 38-3.