some of the things we thought he was going to say at his press conference. "I am an LSU Tiger and will always be a LSU Tiger". Also said something to the fact that he bets when he retires and is sitting on some hill thinking about it all that this will wind up being the best 5 years of his career. Said a lot more but I can't remember it all. It was on WWL 870am. If I liked hearing some of this sappy stuff, so be it. After having some time to let the past week's developments digest, I no longer hold any resentment regarding what happened. As much as we wish we could have removed his desire to coach in the NFL, it was not possible. And who am I to hold it against someone for pursuing their dreams. He would not have left here for any other college job. He also did not leave for just any NFL offer. It seems like he got only one of the very few deals that would have pulled him away from here. I wish him well. Geaux Tigers.
I would also wait to hear what he says after the bowl game win or lose about LSU and his team... I to was dissapointed in the press conference, but lets let him say his final goodbye before some peope judge him. I know I was guilty of it myself.
My main problem with this is he never says that kind of stuff on the national scene, only locally. It gives me the feeling that it is posturing but I know deep down it isnt. I believe it was the hardest decision of his life. He'll always be my favorite coach.
one thing i mentioned this weekend at christmas to some friends...not sure if mentioned here by anyone. If Nick Saban had turned this offer down from WH it would have realistically been career suicide as far as the NFL goes. No owners would attempt to hire him knowing they would never offer this much control along with the power...no way in hell. Not to mention, owners quickly tire of a name once its been thrown about too often. You're only the flavor of the month for so long. The NFL is moving completely away from giving the head coach GM powers, player personnel decisions and HC duties. Not to mention NS has the power to hire and fire who he wants as GM as well as all assistants/coordinators/waterboys/cheerleaders. I think NS knew for a fact, deep down, this was his chance all along and did everything he could to make sure he had every variable covered in that contract to increase his chances of being successful in the NFL. And that meant playing the game til the end for all it was worth and he did. We shouldn't fault him for that. It was now or never....at least to me all this seems very clear. He will succeed because he played his cards right. NS is a smart, calculating sob and I guess I'll have a damn fish hat on come next year... dreadlocks maybe?
I know what you are saying. Looking back at the press conference I think he was nervous and had his "tough guy" shield on. Now that the pressure is off in that the decision is made, he has time to sit back in a more reflective mode.
I'll try and summarize something else. He talked about how much fun he has had in these practices for the bowl game. How he usually gets so caught up in things that he doesn't get a chance to realize how happy he is with what he does. Really focusing on how thankful for what he has and all the things in coaching that he enjoys. This jives with a post that I saw from a player's dad that all the coaches have been laid back this week, much moreso than usual.
Thanks for posting this. WWL also just played back a few cuts. He also said that he will stay involved with LSU as much as possible in the future and will try to help his players here as much as he can. I also took some of that as he will try to draft whoever he can. And he said he really wants to see the winning here continue.
