Like a guy, who was dating this really really hot chick, and it was going great, she told me all the right things, we were going to grow old together she found her mate, sex was great, how she would never leave me, told my new friends that even though people talk about her leaving me its just talk and she had no intention of leaving, I want to find a steady boyfriend, a place I can call home blah blah blah blah. Only to find out the only reason she was with me so she could bang my older brother and as soon as she got his attention she was gone........ Maybe I am over reacting, but the writing is on the wall, If Saban was not leaving he would have spoken by now realizing how there is more damage to recruiting and the university as this drags out (Frankly at this point I think Saban could care less he has checked out, he cares about the LSU players that I can agree, but as far as LSU and its future, not even a little) I am really depressed over this. We finally reached the promised land. And for thos of you with the "Saban is not the only coach speech" let me introduce you to Nebraska, Michigan, OU( For a long time) Ga Tech, and other past national champions who became tremendous spares after their coach left... What a sh*$ty christmas. And yes, I am aware he is not gone yet, but for the love pete check out of LALA hospital.... And double yes if I am wrong (About him leaving) I will be the first to say I am a flying moron. I think my bet is pretty safe.
You may feel that way, but the analogy is bad. If Nick takes the Dolphins job, it's only because he's been offered one of the most prestigious coaching positions in the history of pro sports! Nobody can even DREAM of coaching the team that Don Shula coached for so many years. We can be sad and depressed, but let's not bash Nick Saban. He's got plenty of time to prepare for the bowl game and patch up recruiting if he turns down the Dolphins job. If he takes the Dolphins HC position, it's only because he is a super-competitive coach with incredible drive and healthy ambition to succeed at the highest levels of his profession. Nick's favorite college team will always be LSU, but the fact remains that we are only a college team. As a pro coach, Nick can expect his coaching strategy and tactics to be executed by the best football players in the world, not by college students (many of whom will never play much in the NFL). When I said that Nick Saban reminded me of Vince Lombardi, I meant it. Lombardi coached at Fordham University (his alma mater), but he left to coach at the highest levels of his profession . . . the NFL. Vince had to work very hard as a coordinator before being offered a HC job with the GB Packers. Vince was not satisfied after he won the 1960 NFL championship. Vince was NEVER satisfied! That's what made him great . . . he had an insatiable drive to challenge himself again and again in the most difficult endeavors he could find. Nick Saban is just like Vince Lombardi. Most of us regular guys can't understand Vince and Nick, because we are not like them at all. Who knows who is right? Vince Lombardi died way before his time due to colon cancer. Vince's drive to succeed in coaching was so fierce THAT HE NEGLECTED HIS OWN MEDICAL HEALTH, AND IT KILLED HIM. Nick Saban's father died before his time of a heart attack. Nick's dad was a driven, Type-A personality, JUST LIKE NICK IS. I was really hoping that Nick Saban would just settle down at LSU for about 10 years and then retire to a quiet life with Mrs. Saban. I'm terribly sad and depressed now that it seems like Mr. and Mrs. Saban are leaving LSU now. At least we can be sure that LSU will always be their favorite college team. The last thing that we should do is be bitter or angry with Nick Saban. He is NOT trying to harm LSU's interests in any way. It's just that something in him is driving him along, and probably won't stop driving him until he keels over dead one day. Nick and Terri, we love you. Hope you stay with us . . . Good luck if you can't.
TT, I "feel" pretty much like you. When I "rationally, thoughtfully" look at the situation, I understand it better. Us fans grew up in the state, and we've emotionally bonded to LSU. To us, this is not just a job, its a way of life, with real consequences, like being taunted by co-workers, or taunting co-workers, or proudly flying your LSU flag or portable beach cover over in Destin! We are very emotionally involved, for decades on end. For the coaches, its not like that. It's a job. It's a profession. It has some emotional rewards, like developing young men, and winning recognition. But after you've moved 6 - 8 times, a house in the suburbs is just that, and their are friendly people everywhere. What coaches also know is its a tough business. Win or else. If they are not winning, they'll be boo'ed by the crowd, and people will offer to help them pack. You can be hot today, and not so hot in a couple of years, and being helped to pack a couple years after that. It hardens you up. It's a competitive business, and those who remain in it and thrive are the most competitive of the competitive. There are always new challenges out there. Perhaps with more pressure, with less friendly people, with a less robust setup (personnel, facilities, etc., like Miami Dolphins with no R. Williams), but its the challenge, to build it up and show people you can do it. The situation does not have to be better, maybe just the challenge is bigger. Has anyone ever called you to consider a new job offer? Did you listen to the offer? Did you seriously consider it? Did you move on and leave behind some good friends who were also co-workers, or neighborhood friends? A lot of people have done it, and coaches are no different. I don't like this situation, but I can rationally understand it. We all should try. PS: Jean Lafitte, good post!
All of you make excellent points and I guess its hard for me to understand how coaching LSU isnt the greatest job on the face of the earth... It just really sucks, I really thought we found our long term coach, our Tom Osbourne, our Bowden, Our Bob Stoops, our coach who will be here until he retires... I know Saban does not NOT care about LSU. I know LSU is a big part of his heart, it just really sucks.... I know its just a football coach, but it has been a great 5 years, I never wanted it to end....
I disagree... I think Saban loves LSU more than any other place he has coached.... However, he has always had the urge to coach in the NFL. For years he wanted to do that. He has now found a wonderful place that his family loves and a place that loves him. He truly is torn between his dream and a Southerner's Dream... It saddens me, yes.... We all are loyal to the Purple and Gold as much as we are to the Red, White, and Blue... He and his family have experienced TRUE southern hospitality and they love it. :laflagwav He will NEVER be treated the way he is at LSU... as a god... NFL fans do not have the same connection with their team as college fans do... Professional teams can move... the LSU Tigers will ALWAYS be the LSU Tigers. :geaux: No matter what he chooses (LSU!!!!! :lsug: ), he will always wonder... What could have been... Would he have been the greatest NFL coach ever had he gone to the Dolphins... Would he become the next Bear Bryant had he stayed at LSU and created a dynasty... It's not our decision, nor does he owe us anything. Great man.... He will forever be known as a great LSU coach (at the least) no matter his decision.
That's what I always thought. When I heard about him coming here, I had no idea of his credentials... I heard about the "stepping stone" thing and thought... If he is that good, and can make this program great (I had NO idea at the time....), will he want to leave? We can make a man feel like pure gold if he does great things for us.... Probably to his disadvantage, we have sucked him in. He tried to get out, but it's just too damn hard to leave us Tigers.....
First, this is the best thread on this board right now. I agree with all of you about this situation and strongly believe that he is leaving. Yes, I truly believe that he loves LSU and loves molding college kids. Unfortunetly, I do not believe he will fully understand how strongly Louisiana people feel about LSU. LSU sports is part of the way of life with us and unless you grew up here then you will never fully understand. What I am trying to say is that Saban is an outstanding coach, but he has his own agenda. The only problem is that I think he didn't realize he would have such a tough time leaving.
