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Mike Norvell Emerges as New Favorite in Next Alabama Coach Odds

Brady Trettenero

by Brady Trettenero in College Football

Updated Jan 11, 2024 · 11:34 AM PST

Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell now favored to replace Alabama
Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell smiles to the crowd after the game against the Florida Gators at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 25, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]
  • Florida State coach Mike Norvell is now a favorite to replace Nick Saban
  • Sportsbooks adjusted the next Alabama coach odds after Dan Lanning announced his decision to stay at Oregon
  • Below, see the updated odds to be the next Alabama football head coach

The updated next Alabama coach odds suggest that Florida State head coach Mike Norvell has a great chance of replacing Nick Saban at Alabama. The betting market has shifted following the breaking news that early frontrunner Dan Lanning will most likely remain at Oregon.

Is Norvell truly the favorite to replace Saban now? Let’s analyze and break down the latest odds.

Updated Odds to Be Next Alabama Coach

Coach Odds
Kalen DeBoer -110
Mike Norvell +150
Steve Sarkisian +250
Dan Lanning +350
Lane Kiffin +500
Dabo Swinney +2500
Deion Sanders +3300
Urban Meyer +3300
Billy Napier +4000
Marcus Freeman +4000
Sherrone Moore +4200
Pat Shurmur +5000
Derek Dooley +5000
Ryan Day +5000
James Franklin +5000
Mike Shula +5000
Will Muschamp +5000
Mario Cristobal +5000
Mike Vrabel +5000
Bill O’Brien +5000

In the updated odds to be the next Alabama football coach, Mike Norvell is a +130 favorite. This implies he has 43.5% implied probability to land the role.

Norvell has since been overtaken by Kalen DeBoer, however, who is now at heavier -110 odds. This shift likely has to do with prominent college football analyst Joel Klatt stating he would be shocked if DeBoer doesn’t land the role.

SBD odds as of January 11th at 2:30 PM EST.

Lanning to Remain at Oregon

Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning has announced he will remain at Oregon, despite speculation that he was a top candidate to replace the retiring Nick Saban at Alabama. In the opening odds to be the next Alabama football coach, Lanning was the +200 favorite.

In a video posted to social media, Lanning stated, “The Ducks aren’t going anywhere, and I’m not leaving.” He reiterated his commitment to building the Oregon program, citing the school’s facilities, fan support, and conference move to the Big Ten as reasons he is staying.

Lanning was rumored to have traveled to Tuscaloosa to interview for the Crimson Tide job, but sources close to the coach refuted that claim. While the 37-year-old on paper appears a great fit for the Alabama job, we were skeptical he’d want to leave what he’s building in Eugene.

Norvell New Favorite

In the hours after Lanning announced he was staying at Oregon, sportsbooks adjusted their odds for the next Alabama coach. Lanning had been the betting favorite, but with him out of the picture, a new leader emerged.

Sportsbooks now install Florida State’s Mike Norvell as the +130 favorite to take over in Tuscaloosa. While we think the Tide could land a coach with a bit more pedigree, there are certainly reasons it makes sense Norvell is the favorite.

For starters, he has only a $4 million buyout, which is quite low compared to other high-profile candidates. Since taking the helm of a struggling FSU program, Norvell has impressively progressed from three wins to five, then to ten, and nearly reached the Playoff with a 13-1 record in four seasons.

This 42-year-old Texan lacks experience in the SEC but has experience in Southeast recruiting, having coached at both Memphis and Florida State. Furthermore, Norvell has a great grasp of working the transfer portal, which is sure to be a skill required for the role.

It would be quite the story if Mike Norvell, having been left out of the CFP playoff in favor of Alabama, went on to replace Nick Saban at Alabama. Considering FSU got crushed by Georgia in the Peach Bowl and reportedly wants out of the ACC, we don’t think Norvell would hesitate to pick up a phone call from Tuscaloosa.

 

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