I started a thread about this issue last month, and many either didn't understand it or are too enamored with the guy. Someone even gave me a red dot ranting over it. If this guy leaves Miami at this stage his value is diminished. I'm not saying there won't be some team who will overpay, but the truth remains. Saban already has a reputation, that will then be further cemented, as a coach who won't stay put. Worse, he and his agent threaten leaving continually as a ploy to get more money. He will now have a lack-luster record at Miami to his name. Not all his fault, but where it hurts is how it reflects on him. If Saban gets in a situation he doesn't like, he moves. That's not the kind of guy I would bring into a recovery situation. Should Miami be sold, this of course is not so clear. Should Saban go back to college, his challenge is tall and pressing: win a NC within 5 years or less. Who would accept any less given the type of money this guy will demand. Besides, the guy has shown he won't stay any longer. Odds are he won't succeed. LSU was a time and place for Saban he will have a very hard time matching. Saban has proven he will leave a team in a second guessing game lurch. Rumors always abound. Anyone who pays the money to pull this guy out of the NFL gets something that depreciates the moment it comes off the lot.
All of us have to make the difficult decision to take a better job or stay where we are and hope for better times. It's no different with coaches. It's a professional decision and Nick is at the peak of his career. Sometimes you make the move.
Yes, but I agree with a lot that GetBackToWork wrote. This move by Saban and Sexton could be taking things a bit far, and as someone else pointed out in another thread, LSU helped Saban get to where he is because we have some terrific advantages (lack of another dominate in-state school, etc.) We just hadn't taken advantage of it adequately (in a long time) prior to Saban's arrival.
The guy is over fifty. How many more five year plans does he have to worry about. If his next college job is as successful as his tenure at Michign State and LSU, his value won't drop. If he fails, he is very articlate, so he could get a job on ESPN telling others what they are doing wrong. Nick should not be concerned with money. He is driven to succeed.
True, but Michigan State did not hire him with the expectations of a NC. LSU wanted one, especially with baseball doing so well, but simply turning around the program was job one. If Saban goes to Alabama, it will be to not simply turn things around, but to produce top ten results in fast order. Given he has one title, fans will expect another as well. And that, I believe, will be the catch for Saban. He never wants to stay anywhere very long, and he now commands such a premium that unrealistic results are expected in the short time he will stay. Just look at how Bama fans are reacting to even the prospect of Saban coaching Alabama.
Suppose Saban went to Bama, and next year he goes, say, 7-5 or 8-4. Would the firing of Shula be justified, and the extra expense of Saban? Just wondering. We'd find out if it was the players or the coaches.
