Alabama head coach Nick Saban announced to the team on Wednesday that he is officially retiring.

In doing so, Saban raised the most important and important question in modern college football: Who will replace him?

Among the people who could bear that significant responsibility are familiar names on this topic, as well as new names that have only recently come to our attention.

It's no exaggeration to say this is the most important decision Greg Byrne will make while serving as Alabama's athletic director.

The following names are currently being proposed to replace Irreplaceable:

Dan Lanning (Oregon)

Lanning first worked for the SEC in 2015 as a graduate assistant under Nick Saban. Saban himself was just days away from rehiring Lanning from Memphis in 2018, even saying Kirby Smart beat him to it. He was Georgia's coordinator and outside linebackers coach for four years before being hired by Oregon, where he led the Ducks to back-to-back double-digit winning seasons.

He also gave Eugene back-to-back top-10 recruiting classes. Lanning would be the ideal candidate.

lane kiffin (Ole Miss)

It feels like this has been abandoned for years. Kiffin has long credited Saban with revitalizing his own career after being released by USC, and he also helped modernize the Tide's offense. If given the opportunity, Kiffin would likely jump at the chance to follow in Saban's footsteps.

dabo swinney (Clemson)

Swinney is someone who has cooled down in recent years, at least in terms of what fans want. Five years ago, many expected and envisioned Dabo as Saban's replacement. However, a few tough seasons for Clemson and Swinney's inability to adapt to the new era of college football are concerning.

Still, Swinney is an Alabama native and an alumnus of the University of Alabama, so his name will be widely known. After all, it seems unlikely that he will get the job.

mike nobel (Florida)

Norvell has completely revitalized the Seminoles' program after some very dark days, winning by double digits each of the past two years and recruiting some of the nation's best players each year. He has the lowest acquisition value of the candidates mentioned.

Each candidate must check two boxes: they can win the match and they can be hired. Nobel does just that.

karen deboer (Washington)

Karen DeBoer hasn't lost many soccer games. The loss to Michigan in the national championship was just the 12th time in his career as a college head coach dating back to his time in Sioux Falls. He rebuilt a downtrodden Washington program in his first year, went undefeated in his second year, and brought the Huskies to the brink of glory. After all, this seems unlikely since he's only been the head coach of a major program for two years, but DeBoer knows how to win.

Honorable Mention: Kirby Smart (Georgia)

This is probably a pipe dream. Smart is a Georgia graduate with a dream job leading the Bulldogs. He has already won the national championship twice.he doesn't need make movements like this. But is it possible that there's a desire in the back of his mind to follow in Saban's footsteps and return to Tuscaloosa, where he spent many years? Maybe not, but it's fun to dream.

Michael Brauner is a senior sports analyst and contributing writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP