Joe Namath has no idea who will be the next Alabama football coach, but he knows Tide athletic director Greg Byrne has his hands full.

The legendary Alabama quarterback, who joined Kaitlan Collins on Thursday night, doesn’t envy the Alabama AD.

“I don’t think anybody is looking forward to filling his shoes,” Namath said of Saban. “This is a challenging thing. It’s going to take a brave heart to come in there, but we truly expect the Crimson Tide to be strong and to continue to grown.”

The next coach, he said, can’t take Saban’s place. Rather, he has to “be his own man.”

On Thursday, Oregon coach Dan Lanning made it known he is remaining at Oregon. The most recent report indicates Washington’s Kalen DeBoer, Florida State’s Mike Norvell and Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Tommy Rees are the three candidates to monitor.

Namath – who went led the Crimson Tide to a 29–4 record over three seasons, including the 1964 national championship under Paul “Bear” Bryant – explained how similar Saban and Bryant are.

“Coach Bryant was a teacher,” he explained. “Nick is a teacher. He demanded respect for one another and other people. …

“Nick, he taught the players how to own up to responsibility. You play football for a while, but you have your life ahead of you. Off the field is so important. Coach Saban is not only great man on the field, hands-on, coaching these guys, but he’s getting ready for the big game of life. And (Miss) Terry (Saban) has been there along the way.”

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.