Nick Saban going to Alabama

[Chief Knockahoma]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2718488

Nick Saban has accepted an offer from Alabama to coach the Crimson Tide and left the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday, two weeks after declaring "I'm not going to be the Alabama coach."


http://espn-ak.starwave.com/photo/2007/0102/nfl_i_saban_195.jpg

Saban will return to the SEC, where he won a national championship with LSU .


Saban told team owner Wayne Huizenga of his intentions via telephone and then informed all of his coaches by speakerphone that he was leaving to accept the Alabama position, a source told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

[McCarroll21]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2718488

Alabama made its formal offer to Saban on Monday after rumors swirled for weeks that the Crimson Tide were pursuing the former LSU coach. The offer, believed to run from eight to 10 years, is worth $35 million to $40 million, and includes many variables, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Monday.

Saban had issued repeated denials that he was interested in coaching at Alabama, one of the most high-profile and high-pressure college coaching jobs in the country. He leaves the Dolphins with three years left on a deal worth approximately $4.5 million a year.

Alabama began looking for a coach after firing Mike Shula on Nov. 27. The Tide finished the season 6-7, losing to Oklahoma State in the Independence Bowl.

----

He'll get paid about the same amount he was getting with the Dolphins. It's good to see him back in college football, but damn ... I was liking Shula at Alabama.

[McCarroll21]

Ugh! Loser! You beat me.

[FalconPride]

And in two years, when some pro team offers him $50 million, he will head there.

[McCarroll21]

And in two years, when some pro team offers him $50 million, he will head there.
I don't think so. Mortensen is saying that he told Huizenga that he would stay there if he wanted him to. Said he regretted leaving LSU and Huizenga told him to follow his heart and go back to the college game.

[FalconPride]

I just really don't believe in all that. LSU was his "dream job" and then he left it. Anyone who leaves their "dream job" is way too flakey.

[McCarroll21]

I just really don't believe in all that. LSU was his "dream job" and then he left it. Anyone who leaves their "dream job" is way too flakey.
Kind of the same type of argument as the "why players take so much money to play baseball" debate.

[hotcorner33]

Weellll, I'm not sure how I react.

I guess he's better than Schula.

[vnodnarb]

Alabama definitely has great potential and he's is a very good coach. So I think in a couple years he should have them in the top of the SEC standings

[hotcorner33]

Alabama definitely has great potential and he's is a very good coach. So I think in a couple years he should have them in the top of the SEC standings

HA! That's a joke, right?

[McCarroll21]

HA! That's a joke, right?
Not at all. Look at what he built at LSU. Think about what he can do with a school that actually has tradition?

[hotcorner33]

Alabama:

1. Doesn't recruit well.
2. Never can harness its talent.
3. Has a fairweather fanbase.

Its a recipie for disaster.

[McCarroll21]

Nick Saban:

1. Does recruit well.
2. Can harness talent.
3. Wins.

I know Tennessee fans hate Alabama, but don't let your bias get in way of your judgement.

[ajones2522]

1. Saban gave the NFL a try and it was obvious that he is a college coach, much like Spurrier. He'll stay in college for good.

2. I don't know about how well Alabama recruits but I do know that Nick Saban will be doing the recruiting and he is one heck of a recruiter. Look at all of the talent at LSU. He is responsible for that. NFL free agents even said that they came to Miami soley because Saban pitched it so well. With the tradition at Alabama, he will recruit top notch talent without a doubt and Alabama will be an SEC force again soon.

[hotcorner33]

I'm not necessarily biasing, I'm just saying what I've seen in the past.

He may turn it around, I don't know.

But with that kind of money, the fans won't be happy if he doesn't.

[ajones2522]

Nick Saban:

1. Does recruit well.
2. Can harness talent.
3. Wins.

I know Tennessee fans hate Alabama, but don't let your bias get in way of your judgement.

Exactly! Those are things that coaches do, not universities.

[ajones2522]

I'm not necessarily biasing, I'm just saying what I've seen in the past.

He may turn it around, I don't know.

But with that kind of money, the fans won't be happy if he doesn't.

The thing is, what you saw was under different coaches. Saban is a proven winner on the college level and a proven recruiter of great talent.

[StatBending]

It seems Alabama is still trying to get past the curse of Gene Stallings.

I really thought Mike Shula was coming around after that 2005 season. My hunch is that his firing had less to do with their record and more to do with his record against Auburn.

I think this was a very smart move by the University of Alabama. He seemed to be off and on with LSU but led them to two SEC Championships. Can't really complain about that.

[ajones2522]

I think you are very right about the Auburn record. It doesn't matter what your record is if you're 0-4 with you're in-state rival. Think about what that does to recruiting in the state. The top players in the state don't want to go to a team that is 0-4 against Auburn.

[Adam's Army]

Whoa, I have to admit I am pretty surprised by this. I did not think he would leave the NFL, i guess he just diddnt like coaching there.

I think he can and probably will have success at Alabama, as long as Bama is willing to give him a few years to get his system and players in place.

[LakelandBrave]

I think Saban will recruit well in 'bama. Keep in mind that they've been down because of some NCAA rulings--and no doubt that had a lot to do with players going elsewhere. With Saban being there and with sanctions no longer existing, he'll have the opportunity to build the program back up. AU doesn't have much to worry about though, as they recruit so many guys from GA. So the well should soon be full at Alabama. Still, all that said, Saban is flaky and I'm sure everyone's heard the comparisons to Larry Brown.

[RedneckParamedic]

alabama will win a national championship in 2-3 years. Saban will have bama back on top. eat it bitches

[Chief Knockahoma]

alabama will win a national championship in 2-3 years. Saban will have bama back on top. eat it bitches

by gawd....Red lives!

[oyhstah crachah]

holy crap!