There will be no more Nick Saban is going to the NFL. He is already there. Nick came here and did some incredible things for this program that I thought I might never see in my lifetime of being a Tiger fan (Now 35 years as a fan). He turned us into a powerhouse in the powerhouse conference of college football. For that I thank Nick for what he did for our school and program. When it's all said and done he brought millions of dollars into this program and hopefully it can be sustained by the new coach. Having said that, many of us were tired of the continual flirtation with the NFL. We were always looking over our shoulders like a superstar employee who is thinks things can be better and more challenging somewhere else. Just as we have told some employees on the way out, "It's not all about money and the grass isn't always greener." Many find that to be the case, but some actually do find what they are looking for. In the end, I'm glad this is over. To some degree it's hard to blame a guy for chasing his dreams. It's one of those things that you may have dreamed of doing in your career and you didn't do it. Many people look back and say, "If I had only done this or done that." Nick Saban won't do that. He has finally made it to the top of his profession at the top level. Now time will tell if it was the right decision. As sad as it is to say, college football and the NFL is not what we all want it to be...loyalty, trust, commitment to your word, etc. This is the value system many of us have or try to instill in our kids, employees and friends. Unfortunately for us, the fans, we want this to be about the game and the values we hold dear but it is nothing more than a business to the men who own it and run it. In this case, once again some people can buy whatever they want including our coach. The old saying in business certainly applies here, for the right amount of money "Everybody has a price." Wayne Huizinger found that price.
Great post. I will say however, although it may have nothing to do with football, ( or it may? ) I'd hate to be that company that was too tight to Keep that Superstar employee and watched as he/she went to greener pastures ( ala competition ) and meanwhile ate away at my profit margin. I've seen it happen in the work place. bottom line. ( not that it appllies to Saban ) Pay the employees what they are worth or face the consequences of them leaving and possibly hurting you at your competitors. I remember Jerry Jones, stalling negotiations with Emmitt Smith because he thought he was asking for an unusually high sum. He finally saw the business sense and Ponied up. Pay the man if he makes you money.
Good post, west coast. I firmly believe that when Saban's coaching career is over, he will reflect upon his days at LSU as the best in his life. Why do I say this, because the NFL is such an ungrateful business. I love the NFL and still watch the Saints week in and week out on my dish, but it's a different animal. It is very difficult for college coaches to make the transition from college to the pros. Just look at Erickson and Spurrier. I hope Saban fares better, but it is only a matter of time before his time at Miami is over either by firing or resignation, probably the former. That's just the way it is in the NFL. Coaching turnover is more frequent and merciless. Good luck; he'll need it.
