More Saban and NFL talk....................

I may be a sucker, but I really don't think Nick Saban will leave any time soon. I don't believe he will stay here 20 years, but I believe he will probably be here another 5 years or so, at least. I believe he likes it here. I don't think he experienced the enthusiasm that our fans bring to the game in East Lansing or any of the other places he's coached. He is well paid and can essentially name his price, but I believe he is trying to build a great program. On his radio show tonight, he said something along the lines of "at the beginning of this season, I thought we were one year out, and next year's (2004's) team would be our year." I believe he wants to win a national championship, at least. I was at the Alabama game. He was almost in the tunnel when he either noticed or was told about a huge collection of Tiger fans in the opposite end zone. He jogged nearly 100 yards to wave and thank them, then jogged 100 yards back to wave at and thank the fans in the end zone closest to the visitor tunnel. He seems genuine in his appreciation and respect for the fans and the fans' true admiration of him. I may be a sucker, but I don't think he'll leave until he's made a real mark at LSU. I believe he may leave after he has nothing left to prove here and simply needs a new challenge. If that is the case, he will have put our program on a solid, solid foundation, and all we can do is wish him and his family the best.

 

I'd like to see Nick stay as long as Sherrill did with MSU ... his 13 year career wraps up this week. That would be a very nice stretch ... and Nick could retire at 60 or the end of the 2011 season ... or not. I imagine that a state pension is about meaningless for Coaches clearing $1MM USD a year after taxes, but the health insurance is sure nice ... and there would be many great football seasons for LSU. And, Nick, just like Ole Johnny Vaught ... could play golf till he's 94 or whatever. I could think of a lot worse places to retire than the countryside round Baton Rouge ... some beautiful country north of town.

 

Guys like Jim Rome love to recite that "11 different jobs in 28 years" crap, but what they never seem to do is cite some of the reasons why Coach Saban ended up at a place like LSU:

--Team with national scope and "credibility"

--Solid natural, in-state and near-state recruiting base

and, last but certainly not least

--A program at a school that is the uncontested, "big dog" Division 1-A school in their state, one that doesn't have resources (recruiting time/money, state support) divided among other major programs (big reason why he left Mich. St., where he was always second fiddle to UM).

If the guy loved the NFL so much, why not make the jump before now?

 

This is all I could find:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/columnist/smith/2003-11-25-forecast_x.htm

 

Great post.

Makes mucho sense. You know, Coach Saban might see things exactly this way.

:geaux:

:lsug:

 

I believe coach stays around a good wile as long as the program continues to get the support it is curently getting. After the tearing down of the program before he got here he could be a large part of LSU history. Probably something like then Charlie Mac era. How's that for ego trips. NFL has changed so much that to be dominate from one year to the next does not seem possible and this guy is a winner and would not like the frustration you seegoing on in the NFL with coaches not managing players but salay cap isssues etc. It just is not fun and I think that com,es out when Saban talks about the RUMORS.