Nick Saban takes the Alabama coaching job

[browntown653]

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

Saban told team owner Wayne Huizenga of his intentions in a face-to-face meeting Wednesday morning. Saban then informed all of his coaches by speakerphone that he was leaving the franchise to coach Alabama.

In a news conference at the team's facility, Huizenga told reporters he was not upset by Saban's departure.

"It is what it is. We have to move forward," Huizenga said. "We want the best for Nick and [his wife] Terry. I like Nick a lot and think he could have won here. I'm a Nick Saban fan."

As of late Wednesday morning, Saban was not yet headed to Tuscaloosa for a formal introduction.

"All indications are that he's coming, but I know they're not in the air yet," an Alabama athletic department official told ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach.

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 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.

Saban was 15-17 without a playoff appearance in his two seasons as Dolphins coach.

"In my opinion, the Dolphins have always been about winning. I just want everyone to know that it's really all about winning now," Huizenga said. "I don't care what it takes or what it costs, we're going to make this a winning franchise -- sooner rather than later."

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.


On Tuesday, Saban asked for and received more time from Huizenga to make a decision, yet Huizenga remained optimistic that Saban would remain with the Dolphins. Saban was given until 10 a.m. Wednesday to make a decision.

Saban was 48-16 in five seasons at LSU, where he won the 2003 BCS national championship.

Dec. 21:
Saban: "I guess I have to say it. I'm not going to be the Alabama coach."

...oh really?

[Reds_fan_4_life]

well you throw that kind of money out there for a college coach he's bound to take it. i think its a good/bad move. good b/c Alabama is actually pretty good and well Miami isn't all that great since their 2 best players are getting old so not much promise there. but bad because NFL is a better career if you ask me than college.but he did it for the money no question

[BoSox34]

This is exactly what the Crimson Tide needed to begin to take back the recruiting power from Auburn over the state of Alabama. Saban was always known as a excellent recruiter from his days at LSU and will surely do the same at Bama. I think it's a great move.

[browntown653]

I personally don't see any reason why Saban wouldn't have taken this. I know he pledged not to take the job, but a) he loves the college game and b) it's $32 million which is an ENORMOUS amount of money for a coach...not to mention c) the Dolphins suck.

[rockin500]

well you throw that kind of money out there for a college coach he's bound to take it. i think its a good/bad move. good b/c Alabama is actually pretty good and well Miami isn't all that great since their 2 best players are getting old so not much promise there. but bad because NFL is a better career if you ask me than college.but he did it for the money no question

which is silly because if youare all about teaching, college is where its at. not to mention less hours grinding like you have to do in the pros. Also, Saban is a very personable guy with kids and so that works well recruits.

[General]

Honestly, I can't see why Saban would want to stay with the Dolphins.

[browntown653]

Hey Miami fans, I hear Denny Green is available.

[General]

I hear your mother's available.

[browntown653]

Those rumors must have slipped past me.

[General]

Well, she ofcourse wouldn't make herself available to you.

[browntown653]

...so about Nick Saban...

[BoSox34]

Well, she ofcourse wouldn't make herself available to you.

That's General's way of saying welcome back and that he has been seeing your mom descretely browntown.

[General]

I know where she lives.

[mntwinsfan]

Guess the nfl was just a fluke! I dont blame him to taking the cash, but is it not a goal of every coach to be an nfl head coach and better yet stay in the league?

[Slyder]

haha he's cutting and running. Why is this job so great when they havent done squadush since 1990 (that didnt have booster cheating for) and this coming from a school that went 6-6 after going 10-2 and FIRING their coach. This job USE to be an elite program but its not a good program right now.

Ya Money talks and everything else walks. But he is leaving a job undone and this will be what his 5th different job in 10 yrs? That makes for great recruiting tool. Plus why give up one of 32 jobs for a position you could get even after getting the boot in the NFL (just look at Pittsburgh)?