The 2024 offseason has been the most tumultuous one in a while for Alabama Crimson Tide fans, as things have finally settled down after their first coaching search in 17 years, with many fans seemingly happy with the hiring of Cullen DeBoer.

But when the search began, DeBoer's name lagged behind a few others in terms of media popularity. For example, a few years before Nick Saban retired, one of the most popular candidates to replace him was Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney.

The Pelham native played wide receiver at the University of Alabama under coach Gene Stallings and helped the school win a national championship in 1992. He was recruited by Clemson in 2008 and helped turn the Tigers into a powerhouse team, defeating Nick Saban twice in national championship games during the 2010s.

But after the Tigers' struggles over the past few seasons, one thing Tide fans seem to unanimously agree on is that they don't want Swinney to replace Saban, to the point that during the search for a replacement for Saban, they shouted at the Walk of Champions, “Anyone but Dabo!”

Students stand in front of Bryant-Denny Stadium chanting “Anyone but Dabo!” translation: pic.twitter.com/3MPGDt7WQ9

— Brittany Decker (@BrittanyWVTM13) January 11, 2024

Of course, Alabama didn't even consider Swinney for the job, mainly because he resisted the new environment of college football and refused to effectively utilize the NIL and transfer portal over the past few seasons.

But Mike Griffith, chief Georgia reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, offered some strong views on why Swinney should have been the nominee.

During an appearance on 105.5 WNSP-FM in Mobile, Griffith said it was an embarrassment for the school that Swinney was not interviewed.

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“I still believe Dabo Swinney should have been interviewed,” Griffith said, acknowledging he was initially skeptical of DeBoer's hiring. “I thought it was a disgrace to the University of Alabama to not give him an opportunity to interview. It's disrespectful and goes against what Alabama stands for. The new administration needs to learn the history and understand what Swinney was to the University of Alabama. He deserved to at least be interviewed.”

“I'm not saying Dabo was better. [than DeBoer]But if he played in college and represented the school and so much of what Alabama stands for and showed the respect that Nick Saban had for him — he beat Nick Saban twice, and there are only a handful of guys who've done that — he was at least worthy of an interview.”

Griffith also acknowledged he understands DeBoer's hiring and expressed optimism about what the former University of Washington coach can accomplish in Tuscaloosa in a new era of college football.

To hear Griffiths' full statement, check it out here:

Michael Browner is a senior sports analyst and contributor to Yellow Hammer News. You can follow him on Twitter. translation: Listen to him weekdays from 6-9am on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5. Available online for free.