I know there is absolutely nothing newsworthy about this article, nor is there any content you likely have not read. But, this article is on the front page of today's Chicago Tribune Sports section, so I thought I'd post the link. http://chicagosports.chicagotribune...ssaban,1,3472514.story?coll=cs-home-headlines
Sorry, didn't check the link: Saban deflects rumors he's heading to Bears By David Haugh Tribune staff reporter November 6, 2003, 10:40 PM CST In NFL cities such as Chicago, where the head coach's seat couldn't get much hotter without setting off a smoke alarm, many fans like the idea of Louisiana State University coach Nick Saban taking over next season. Apparently more than Saban likes the idea—at least for now. During a speaking engagement Tuesday night in Mobile, Ala., the LSU coach tried to distance himself from speculation linking him to the Bears, Falcons, Giants or any other NFL team to which rumors will link him from now until the end of the season. Asked about his interest in jumping to the NFL, Saban answered: "It comes down to this. Do you want to deal with a bunch of immature people or a bunch of college kids?" LSU has an 8-1 record and is ranked No. 4 in the nation. Saban associates in the coaching profession have said he enjoys the lifestyle of college coaching and making a difference to young men. The university locked up Saban with a long-term contract that pays him $1.6 million a year after Notre Dame rumors surfaced in 2001. "The most difficult thing for human beings to do is to have the ability to sustain," Saban said in the Baton-Rouge Advocate. "Most people's greatest regret in life is that they didn't get to finish something that was really important to them. If we have the desire and commitment to stay focused, we can have a good football team every year." It was the second time this season Saban, 52, felt compelled to address rumors, the first coming last month after Bears general manager Jerry Angelo visited LSU's practice before the Bears played the Saints at the Superdome. Angelo coached the defensive line at Syracuse from 1975 to '79 and Saban coached linebackers there in 1977. The two have been good friends since, sparking speculation that Angelo's campus visit fueled. "The guy was doing his job," Saban told the newspaper. "He always has been a personnel guy. He always has come to watch us practice every year since I've been here and every year that I was at Michigan State. He was looking at football players. It would be unfair to our players if I didn't allow every team to come in, and most teams come when they're playing the Saints." Saban stressed he and Angelo have discussed only LSU players and that front-office personnel from other teams also have visited practice. "It would be wrong to make any assumption that it was about anything else," Saban said, "because there isn't anything else to talk about. I'm happy to be the coach here. There's nothing else to it. And I wish you guys would get off of it, all right, because it's not right. It's not fair to me. "I'm telling you it's not worth it. … I mean they have a coach there now. … I'm the coach here and I'm trying to win our games. … And there's really nothing else to it. Nothing else to it." Copyright © 2003, The Chicago Tribune
Coach Saban is definitely going . . . He is as good as gone . . . . . . . to the LSU Sports Hall of Fame. :geaux: :lsug:
