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Penn State parted ways with head coach James Franklin on October 12, just one day after Northwestern defeated the Nittany Lions.
Franklin has since accepted a job at Virginia Tech, while Penn State continues to search for someone to fill its head coaching vacancy. 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.
In the middle of the talk, legendary college football coach Nick Saban supported Daboll. Saban said Daboll would be an “exceptional 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/Image Images)
Saban is familiar with Daboll’s coaching skills. Daboll worked with Saban when he was Alabama’s offensive coordinator during the Crimson Tide’s run to the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2017.
Saban cited the successful year he had under Daboll and also highlighted Daboll’s other successes as an assistant coach in the NFL.
“I love Brian. He did a great job here with us. Offensive coordinator, we won the championship with him calling the plays. He’s been to the Super Bowl several times with [Bill] Belichick, and he 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 relates well to the players. He’s a good teacher. He has a good offensive mind. He’ll be able to build a good staff. I think he would be an outstanding hire.”
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 was “believed to have interest” and “was expected to get some consideration” for the football coaching position in University Park, Pennsylvania.
The report added that Daboll had 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 Sept. 23, 2017, at Commodore Stadium in Nashville. (Jamie Gilliam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
After losing a close game to No. 2 Indiana in Week 11, Penn State managed to win its last two games. The Nittany Lions travel to New Jersey for the regular season finale with Rutgers.
