Yes or no? There is so much smoke right now. Initially, I didn't believe it, but there has been just too much chatter and rumors right now, and usually that means it's true, so I'm leaning towards yes at this point. I think the biggest key might be that Bama offered him a new contract last Friday, and he hasn't signed it yet... As an LSU fan, I'm not sure how I would feel about Saban at Texas. It would mean LSU would not have to play him every year, but LSU would still have to compete with him with recruits, and it would mean he would have an easier path to the "playoffs" each year as well.
I heard a report that Texas is offering a 10 year $100 million dollar deal plus 1% of the Long Horn Network Revenue. That's a lot of money. Plus Texas is the best destination job in all of football. Automatically gains him all of the recruiting in Texas, and he will still be able to recruit from SEC country. There's only one other team in the Big 12 to compete with for conference championships (Oklahoma). Seems like a perfect match, and could lead to more National Championships. I still think it's a toss up though.
I think he is going to Texas. Sabin is driven by the challenge of building programs. Bama has been built. Time to move on.
I don't think Texas needs to be "built". Mack has just been lazy with recruiting that past couple of years. Texas is the best coaching job in the country. Recruits would start flocking to Austin again if Saban goes. I think the allure of winning a championship with 3 different schools is appealing to Saban. That would probably cement him as the GOAT.
Just doesn't make sense to me UNLESS he thinks he has like 10 years left in the tank and wants to build 3 programs into National Championship teams. Alabama can and will match any offer out there, to think otherwise is foolish. Alabama is already on top. Land a decent QB (a lot of rumors floating around that FSU backup will transfer and be eligible immediately to play) and they are right back in the top 4 all year next year. Texas is NOT. Saban could easily get them there, but it will take a few years... and Saban is 64. Does he want to coach til he is in his 70s? Last thing is the wife is happy and adamant on staying, or so says the little bird flying around telling everyone all these rumors. The wife wants to stay, he is already 64, it won't be about money because either program can afford a blank check to land him... the only plausible thing that makes sense is his drive to build up a third dynasty. I'm just not convinced he wants to coach long enough to see it out.
I'm quite positive Texas has much deeper pockets than Bama. This is certain. Tuscaloosa or Austin? She might say in public that she is happy in Tuscaloosa, but every woman in the world would rather live in Austin.
Their house on the lake is amazing, and people with that much money in retirement don't stay at home much. Everyone always brings up the deep pockets. I just don't see that as an issue when hiring a coach (much less the best coach in the country). What is 80 million vs 120 million...either can easily afford a 10 million dollar coach. Does Texas have more money? Yes, absolutely. I just think that's more important when it comes to facilities and such (the big ticket items) over paying a coach far less per year than he brings back in for your program. It's the same thing I hear annually with Cal and the NBA. NBA teams have more money for sure, but you can be guaranteed UK will and can match any offer to keep the coach. If he leaves, it would be for similar ego reasons as Saban, not for money.
He has everything he wants at Alabama and the recruits are flocking in like USC of recent memory. He very well might win a championship next year.
I agree, it doesn't make that much sense for him to leave, but there is just entirely too many rumors and smoke right now, which usually means something is up. It feels exactly like when he left the Dolphins for Bama.
I agree, which is why I'm beginning to believe he has several years left in the tank and wants a challenge. But the key difference is, leaving the miami dolphins for Alabama is in no way comparable to leaving the King of the mountain status he is currently at. Rumors are emerging in the exact same way though so who knows.
He leaves. He wants to be the greatest coach of all time. If he wins a title or two with Texas then he's set. What else is there to do in Alabama?
He may be King of the Mountain, but he's not at playing in the Kings Castle. He would be at Texas. No other university even comes close to them in terms of revenue and spending. They have the best of the best, and will continue to.
Win a title or two much easier in a 5 year window most would argue... And if he goes down with 6 National Titles at 2 schools, 5 in a 8-10 year period... He already goes down as the best ever. Doing so at Texas would just make it a no brainer. I'm conflicted. I hope he leaves so my week of finishing up finals coincides with actual free time to hear all the meltdowns on call ins to the Finebaum Show. Can you guys even imagine how epic that would be? lol
It would be epic, because every Bama fan right now has convinced themselves that he is not leaving, all is well, and that no one would ever leave their beloved University. It's like they refuse to even acknowledge that this might have legs. I know they are all worried, but they will never admit it.
Just playing Devils advocate, but isn't that like comparing UNC to UK basketball? The Celtics to the Lakers? No doubt Texas is bigger, but by how much. Most would say they are #1 and #2 as all time football programs. What's the over under on his new contract, regardless of where it is? Reports were out last night that a 7 million dollar/year extension was "already on his desk" in Tuscaloosa.... still unsigned.
