After the University of Michigan's victory over Washington in the College Football Playoff National Championship, the conversation quickly turned to: Jim Harbaugh's future.
Harbaugh just completed a rebuild in Ann Arbor, bringing the football program its first national championship since 1997.
Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh celebrates after the CFP National Championship game against the Washington Huskies on January 8, 2024 at NRG Stadium in Houston. (Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Harbaugh has returned his alma mater to the top of the sports world, and the program has gone through multiple seasons. NCAA investigationmany expected Harbaugh to return to the NFL.
And while Harbaugh's second head coaching job in the NFL is very likely, there was another head coaching vacancy that was poised to have an immense impact on college football.
FOX SPORTS' Tim Brand talks about the end of three years of legendary coaching.
nick sabanthe seven-time national champion was about to make an announcement that would shock the sports world and have a trickle-down effect on multiple programs other than the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Let's take a closer look at what happened last week and how Saban's retirement was felt around the world.
Nick Saban hangs up his headset
The news coming out of Tuscaloosa on Wednesday, January 10, shook the sports world to its core.
Saban announced his retirement from college football after 17 years as a head coach. crimson tide.
Under Saban, Alabama has become an enviable state. college footballThe Crimson Tide are coming off a 12-win season and return to the CFP with a returning quarterback who was a favorite to win the 2024 Heisman Trophy.
Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban is shown during the CFP semifinal Rose Bowl game against the Michigan Wolverines on January 1, 2024 in Pasadena, California. (Ryan Kang/Getty Images)
Reggie Bush claims Nick Saban 'can't handle' level playing field: 'We're not getting rid of him'
But Saban, 72, is calling it a career and said the struggles of the 2023 season have consumed him a little more than usual.
His departure suddenly left one of the sport's top coaching jobs open, with multiple programs and conferences about to feel the aftershocks.
Karen DeBoer leaves Washington for job at Alabama
Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne reportedly told players he wants a new head coach within 72 hours.
The day after Saban retired, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning Considered one of the top candidates for the job, he announced he would stay on. On Friday, Texas State and head coach Steve Sarkisian were working on contract extensions, as were Florida State and head coach Mike Norvell.
But Byrne had his sights set on a runner-up finish at the U.S. Championship.
Just two years after leaving Fresno State for Seattle, Karen DeBoer was named Saban's successor. lead washington On to the national championship game.
New University of Alabama head coach Karen DeBoer gives her induction speech during a press conference at Bryant-Denny Stadium on January 13, 2024 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. DeBoer will replace the recently retired Nick Saban. (AP Photo/Vasya Hunt)
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
DeBoer led the Huskies to a 25-3 record in two seasons and was expected to win the Pac-12 Championship in 2023 and lead Washington to the Big Ten Conference in 2024.
The job in Tuscaloosa was too good for DeBoer to pass up, leaving a big hole in Seattle, one of the preeminent West Coast programs that was primed for a major exit from the Pac-12.
Arizona loses Jed Fisch to Washington.
Arizona was coming off its first 10-win season since 2014, just three years after going 1-11.Tucson's optimism was at an all-time high for a quarterback. Noah Fifita He led Arizona to seven straight wins to end the season.
With Arizona State advancing to the Big 12 in 2024 and Texas and Oklahoma leaving for the SEC conference, Arizona State will likely enter the 2024 season in the top 25 and hope to win the Big 12 title. It was expected that there would be a fight.
after that Jed Fish I went back to his words.
On January 4, Mr. Fish said he had no interest in leaving Tucson.
“We want to finish here quickly and we want to be in this program for a long time,” Fisch said on “The Jim Rome Show,” according to the Arizona Daily Star, regarding the possibility of a contract extension. Told.
New Washington head coach Jed Fisch appears during an introductory press conference to the community in Seattle on January 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Lindsay Wasson)
Quarterback Casey Thompson commits to fourth school for seventh season of college football
“To be able to be here today, to be the head coach of a Power Five program, win 10 games and be a top 15 team, hopefully be in the top 10, I have put a lot of work into this job. “I've been running things. … I'm not interested in going anywhere,” he said. “I'm very interested in seeing if we can reach that CFP. There will be 12 teams participating next year, so I'd love for our team to participate as well.”
On January 14, Fisch was introduced as Washington's next head coach.
“When I first came to U of A, I knew we could create something truly special because of the people of this university and this community,” Fish said in a statement. “Today, I am heartbroken to be leaving not only Arizona, but the people who have given us so much and believed so deeply in the magic we have created.”
Arizona is now desperate to avoid a transfer portal exit as it navigates its way to the Big 12.
Wildcats get new coach, San Jose State still looking for coach exchange
Shortly after Fisch left Tucson, Arizona State turned its attention to San Jose State head coach Brent Brennan.
Brennan has been the head coach at SJSU since 2017 and led the Spartans to back-to-back bowl games in 2022 and 2023.
Brennan was a finalist at Arizona State in 2020 when Fisch was hired, and was a graduate assistant in 2000 for Arizona State's all-time wins leader Dick Tome's final season. This time, the Wildcats selected Brennan, leaving San Jose State to continue its search for him. He selected the next head coach for the first time in eight years.
San Jose State Spartans head coach Brent Brennan watches during the first half of a game against the UNLV Rebels at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on November 25, 2023. (Louis Grasse/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“I am very happy and excited to be returning to the University of Arizona,” Brennan said in a statement. “This great university is special to my family and I as it is where I started as a coach as part of Coach Tommy's legacy. I have met the players, their families, fans, alumni and supporters, and I have loved the opportunity to meet the players, families, fans, alumni and supporters. “We can't wait to build on our success,” the staff member said. Bear Down and Go Cats! ”
Brennan has to work on maintenance. arizona star player A 30-day transfer window is open in Tucson.
