Nick Saban's legacy continues as former assistants lead College Football Playoff teams

Five of this season's 12 College Football Playoff teams are led by coaches who previously worked under Nick Saban, and four of those coaches remain active in the current playoff rounds.

Nick Saban has not coached on the field for two years, but several of his former assistants are prominent in this College Football Playoff field. Five of the 12 CFP teams this season are led by coaches who once worked under Saban. Four of those coaches remain in the playoff rounds, including Curt Cignetti at Indiana and Dan Lanning at Oregon. Pete Golding at Mississippi and Mario Cristobal at Miami are also among that group. Key facts: - Five of the 12 College Football Playoff teams this season are led by coaches who previously worked under Nick Saban. - Four of those coaches remain in the playoff field: Curt Cignetti (Indiana), Dan Lanning (Oregon), Pete Golding (Mississippi), and Mario Cristobal (Miami). - Curt Cignetti's Indiana is scheduled to face Dan Lanning's Oregon in the Peach Bowl, and Mario Cristobal's Miami will face Pete Golding's Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl. - The article notes other developments: Georgia (Kirby Smart) was eliminated in the quarterfinals, Lane Kiffin handed the Ole Miss job to Golding, Brent Key's Georgia Tech had a notable season but missed the ACC title game, and Jimbo Fisher stepped away from coaching. - Coaches quoted in the report attribute elements of their approach to Saban, citing organization, recruiting work, player evaluation, and a competitive, disciplined mentality. Summary: Saban's coaching tree is clearly represented among this season's CFP leaders and has influenced leadership across multiple programs. Those connections will be tested in upcoming bowl matchups such as the Peach Bowl and the Fiesta Bowl, while other teams referenced were eliminated earlier in the playoff rounds. The remaining games will determine how far these coaches' teams advance.