Saban gave 5 years to Michigan St and 5 years to LSU, and so it wouldn't be surprising if he stayed at Bama for 5 years. I don't think he will stay at Bama for longer than that. I think Saban loves building programs up to as best as he can get them, and then moving on to the next challenge. I think he likes being known as a coach that can be successful anywhere. In a few years, I expect Saban to take over at traditional elite program like ND, Penn State, Florida State, Michigan, Miami, Nebraska, etc. Could you imagine if Saban built LSU into a powerhouse, Alabama into a powerhouse, and then made a powerhouse out of ND, Penn State, Florida State, Michigan, Miami, Nebraska, etc? I don't think any coach in history has built a powerhouse at 3 different schools. However, I don't about Washington. I think trying to make a winner out of Washington is too much of a challenge.
Look for Rutger's Schiano to get the post there once Paterno finally retires (or....), so can likely subtract his name from that list.
Just because Saban left LSU does not mean he will leave Bama. He left MSU to come to Baton Rouge, a step up. He built LSU into a power and moved to the NFL, another step up. He hated the NFL, or failed at it, and went to the best available job, a place with one of college football's best traditions. Why would he leave Bama? The fans love him, he's winning earlier than expected, and he's dominating recruiting. This whole thread is simply sour grapes because LSU is having a down year, or at least down compared to the success that Saban made everyone feel accustomed to, and because Saban and Bama are having a great year.
Like I posted in the Miles-to-Washington thread: "...Saban was a God here at LSU. He lived in this palatial mansion right south of LSU on Highland Road. He could have stayed at LSU for 10 to 15 years, even if we had never won another SEC Championship, as long as he keep giving us mostly winning seasons that kept us mostly in the Top 25. Nobody here would questioning Saban if he stayed as our coach and LSU had the season we had this year. He couldn't have had a more secure job than the one he had here at LSU. Saban knew this, yet he left. Saban is a thrill-seeker, he likes taking on new challenges. Also, Saban and everyone else knows that he will never be greater than Bear Bryant if he stays at Bama, but Saban knows if he moves on to another great school like ND, Miami, FSU, Nebraska, Michigan, etc--and takes them back to powerhouse levels like he did at LSU and Bama (at least this one year), he will go down as greater than Bear Bryant in that regard."
You think Saban cares about grief? Oh, poor opposing team, maybe I should let you win, I don't want to cause you any grief. Get real! Saban ain't feeling any grief in Tuscaloosa, just like he won't be feeling any grief at the new place he goes to coach at. These are pictures from when he got off the plane from Miami to Tuscaloosa: OH THE GRIEF!!!
Well here's a story of how just at the end of last season Nick was thinking about leaving Bama for WVU: http://wbgv.wordpress.com/2007/12/17/nick-sabans-agent-contacts-wvu/ And the fact that he left LSU only 1 season after winning a SECC and a NC, it's obvious he doesn't stick around any job very long... I'll step out on a limb here and say shortly after losing to Florida this year in the SECCG... he'll only be able to muster an additional season in Tuscaloosa IF he doesn't lose in the Sugar Bowl or he doesn't have the same success as this year plus go to a NC... he'll leave for a more lucrative offer to another university. Sorry Bama fans but the love fest looks to be heading down a very bumpy road soon.
If you consider Saban a god for what he did at LSU, then what's your description of Miles? Not bashing just simply asking. Saban in 5 seasons as the head coach of LSU went a total of 48-16 (.750) with losses in the Cotton and Capital One Bowls and wins in the Peach and Sugar Bowls, 2 SEC Championships and a National Championship. Miles in almost 4 seasons as the head coach at LSU has gone 41-10 (.804) with 2 games left which could result in a winning percentage of (.811) with a loss in a SEC Championship and wins in the Peach and Sugar Bowls a SEC Championship and a National Championship. Looks to me like Miles has fared a bit better as coach here than Saban did other than his 1 SECC loss to UGA. But lets not forget Saban jumped ship for the NFL (after swearing he wasn't going anywhere) where he sucked, only to leave that job and replace it with an LSU rival program. Where as Miles had the opportunity to leave but kept to his word and stuck around. Sounds to me Les is Miles above Saban.
