After repeated denials, Saban takes Bama job ESPN.com news services 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." Nick Saban Jeff Zelevansky/Icon SMI 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. 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. On Tuesday, Saban asked for and recevied more time from Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga to make a decision. Huizenga remained optimistic Tuesday that Saban would return to Miami, and gave him until 10 a.m. Wednesday to make a decision. "I'm hoping he's leaning on staying," Huizenga was quoted as saying in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "I like Nick a lot and hope he's going to stay. I'm not upset. You just have to play this thing through." Huizenga has said he received repeated assurances from Saban late in the season that he would return in 2007. And Saban issued frequent public denials of interest in moving to Tuscaloosa, such as on Dec. 21, when he said: "I'm not going to be the Alabama coach." ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach and Len Pasquarelli contributed to this story.
I agree with your second sentence, the known ineptitude is better than the unknown, although I still believe he had this team heading in the right direction (the Culpepper deal basically screwed this year). The first sentence though I find hard to believe. Any fan of an AFC East team knew of Herms game day weaknesses and were probably not too thrilled that they could no longer depend on his game management inadequacies. They weren't laughing when he left probably feel rather like you do now with Miami, the uncertainty is unsettling....
What a lying weasel Saban is, he didn't even have the courtesy to show up to meet huizenga this morning. He called him to inform him of his "decision", this guy is a complete jerk and was a total failure as an NFL HC.
People that know football weren't laughing but I think the general impression most people have is that Herm is a pretty good coach. Plus the fact that it was another coach "quitting" on the Jets was more laughs at their expense.
Yes they did. Pennington was injured, not an unknown quantity. Culpepper is nowhere near Penningtons class as a complete QB, even when healthy. Ty Law was also getting long in the tooth, and Abraham is not even a part timer. Comparing Law (a good CB) and Abe (a no show) to Taylor and Thomas (2 impact every down front 7 guys) is a bit of a stretch.
I'm glad other people think Saban is a complete ass because that is what he is. First he ditches LSU for the pros. Then he becomes the first NFL coach to make a player cry that I can remember. Then he ditches the pros for the Alabama job, and blows off his meeting with the owner so he can get to Alabama even faster. I'm glad he's out of the NFL, and helping put the dolphins in disarry.
These alot of these sucessful college coaches get their egos so pumped up by their college sucess they think everything will be easy. Then they make the jump to the NFL, have some adversity, and go running back the first chance they get, stating dream job or I'd rather be a teacher of the game excuse... It's a cop out for them realizing they can't handle leading at the top level of the sport
Someone should tell Dan... "Hey Dan, you're retired from the Dolphins, you don't have to wear gay colors anymore..."
We were in a better position after Herm left unlike this seasons Sabanless Fins though. That team needs large adjustments and now the staff is messed up.
I'm speaking in generalities about perceptions that were prevalent around the league last year, by people that weren't even Jet fans.
