Alabama coach Nick Saban: 'I closed the door' on the NFL

Alabama coach Nick Saban at a press conference leading up to Monday's BCS National Championship Game victory over Notre Dame. (Photo: Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)

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  • Alabama
  • NFL
  • Nick Saban
  • BCS National Championship Game
  • Philadelphia Eagles

    Alabama coach Nick Saban will continue to be connected with several NFL job openings as long as he continues to own the most dominant program in college football, so it's very likely that we'll all do this same dance every January.

    KEYS: Why is Alabama so dominant?

    But why not take Saban as his word? During an appearance on ESPN's Mike & Mike in the Morning on Thursday, Saban made his strongest statement yet about his interest – or lack thereof – in a return to the NFL.

    Said Saban:

    "I don't know how many times I have to say it. You guys don't believe it. Every time I do an interview, I have to say the same thing and you all don't believe so why do I have to keep saying it. I closed the door. Now it's two days later and you're asking me to close the door again. The damn hinges are wore out."

    When discussing the differences between college football and the NFL, Saban sounded… content. Happy. If not at ease (he's never at ease, which is part of the reason why he's built a juggernaut), Saban sounded comfortable.

    KELLY: Notre Dame coach interviews with the Philadelphia Eagles

    "It depends on really what you want," Saban said of the comparison. "A part of coaching to me is you try to help players develop personally. You want to help them develop them to be all they can be. You want them to be more successful in your life because they were part of your program.

    "In the NFL, it's not really that way. It's all about people having success in their careers as football players. It's a business. It just depends on what do you enjoy the most. I kind of like seeing these guys grow and develop."

    Saban went 15-17 over two seasons with the Miami Dolphins (2005-6) before returning to the FBS with the Crimson Tide. Over four different college stops (Toledo, Michigan State, LSU and Alabama), Saban has compiled a record of 154-55-1 and won four national championships. Some guys are good enough to coach at any level. Maybe Saban just prefers the college game?

    PHOTOS: BCS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

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    Alabama celebrates its third BCS national championship in four years after routing Notre Dame 42-14 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami.  Robert Mayer, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama celebrates.  Robert Mayer, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama coach Nick Saban celebrates his fourth career BCS national championship (three with Alabama, one with LSU).  John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama coach Nick Saban gets the trational Gatorade shower in the closing moments of the Crimson Tide's victory.  Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron and coach Nick Saban celebrate.  Robert Mayer, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron celebrates with a kiss for the championship trophy.  John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron celebrates with his family after winning the BCS national championship.  Robert Mayer, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama offensive lineman Alex Shine celebrates.  Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama running back Eddie Lacy celebrates.  John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama cheerleaders celebrate.  Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama offensive linesman D.J. Fluker celebrates as the final seconds tick off the clock.  Eileen Blass, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama fans celebrate.  Eileen Blass, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama coach Nick Saban gets the trational Gatorade shower in the closing moments.  Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports
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    From left, Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly, linebacker Manti Te'o and safety Zeke Motta face the media after their loss.  Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports
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    A lone Notre Dame fan remains in his section of the stands after Alabama's win.  John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama receiver Amari Cooper, right, celebrates his fourth-quarter touchdown with lineman Cyrus Kouandjio.  Eileen Blass, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron celebrates a fourth-quarter touchdown pass.  John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama receiver Amari Cooper hauls in his second touchdown catch of the game in the fourth quarter.  Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama receiver Amari Cooper sprints past the Notre Dame defense and into the end zone for a 34-yard touchdown during the third quarter. Cooper's score put the Crimson Tide ahead 35-0.  Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports
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    Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson dives into the end zone for a thrid-quarter touchdown. Golson's score finally got the Fighting Irish on the board at 35-7.  Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama defender Ha'Sean Clniton-Dix (6) makes a leaping interception over Notre Dame receiver DaVaris Daniels (10) during the third quarter.  Eileen Blass, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama defender Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix (6) snags a third-quarter interception on a pass intended for Notre Dame receiver DaVaris Daniels.  Matt Cashore, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama running back Eddie Lacy celebrates his second-quarter touchdown catch.  Robert Mayer, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama running back Eddie Lacy (42) spins into the end zone to complete an 11-yard touchdown catch late int he first half. Lacy's score gave the Crimson Tide a 28-0 lead at the break.  Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports
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    Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson (5) escapes from Alabama defender Vinnie Sunseri to avoid a sack during the first half.  John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports
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    Notre Dame receiver DaVaris Daniels (10) hauls in a first-half pass behind Alabama defender Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix (6) during the first half.  Matt Cashore, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron (10) passes over leaping Notre Dame defensive lineman Kapron Lewis-Moore (89).  Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports
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    Notre Dame returner Davonte' Neal fumbles a punt late in the first half.  Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports
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    Notre Dame returner Davonte' Neal, left, and Alabama defender Landon Collins chase Neal's fumbled punt.  Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports
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    Notre Dame linebacker Prince Shembo (55) brings down Alabama running back T.J. Yeldon during the first half.  John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama running back T.J. Yeldon (4) falls into the end zone to complete a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter that put the Crimson Tide ahead 21-0.  Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports
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    Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson (5) throws on the run during the first half.  Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama running back T.J. Yeldon (4) breaks away from a Notre Dame defender on a first-half run.  Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports
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    Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly pleads his case with an official during the first half.  Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama running back Eddie Lacy (42) gets bottled up after a first-half run.  Eileen Blass, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama running back Eddie Lacy (42) eludes a Note Dame defender on a second-quarter run.  Eileen Blass, USA TODAY Sports
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    Notre Dame safety Zeke Motta, right, breaks up a pass intended for Alabama receiver Marvin Shinn during the first half.  Eileen Blass, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama tight end Michael Williams hauls in a 3-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter that put the Crimson Tide up 14-0.  Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports
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    Notre Dame quartback Everett Golson looks to pass during the first quarter.  Eileen Blass, USA TODAY Sports
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    Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert (80) hauls in a first-quarter pass along the sideline.  Eileen Blass, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron directs the offense during the first quarter.  Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama running back Eddie Lacy celebrates his first-quarter touchdown that gave the Crimson Tide an early 7-0 lead.  Eileen Blass, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama running back Eddie Lacy (42) shakes off a Notre Dame defender on his way to a 20-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.  Eileen Blass, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama receiver Kevin Norwood (83) hauls in a first-quarter pass.  John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports
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    Wide receiver Robby Toma (9) leads Noter Dame onto the field.  Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports
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    Cleveland Browns running back Trent Richardson on hand for the national title game. Richardson won two national championships at Alabama.  Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports
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    Brian and Ottilia Te'o, parents of Notre Dame star linebacker Manti Te'o take in the game from the sidelines.  Matt Cashore, USA TODAY Sports
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    Fireworks explode over Sun Life Stadium during the national anthem.  John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama mascot Al takes the field prior to the game.  John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports
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    No. 1 Notre Dame and No. 2 Alabama face off in the Discover BCS National Championship Game.  Matt Cashore, USA TODAY Sports
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    Sun Life Stadium in Miami prepares to host the BCS title game between Notre Dame and Alabama.  Matt Cashore, USA TODAY Sports
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    Notre Dame fans, from left, Chris Sweddon, David Miller, Josh Miller and Scott Miller enjoy the pregame tailgating festivities.  Matt Cashore, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama fans, from left, Brian Dawes, Donna Long, Robin Albano and Debbie Albano enjoy the pregame tailgating scene.  Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports
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    Bryce Burton, the Notre Dame leprechaun mascot, is quite the celebrity in Miami.  John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports
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    Actor and Notre Dame fan Vince Vaughn poses with the Alabama cheerleaders prior to the game.  Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports
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    Notre Dame fan Joe Evans of Mobile, Ala., center, and several new friends enjoy the pregame tailgating scene.  Matt Cashore, USA TODAY Sports
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    Alabama twirlers and dancers warm up prior to the game.  Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports
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    Colin Patience, left, and Chris Davis of the Notre Dame bagpipe band entertain tailgaters prior to the game.  Eileen Blass, USA TODAY Sports
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    One Alabama fan's interesting take on the team's "Roll Tide" slogan.  Matt Cashore, USA TODAY Sports
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    The Notre Dame Irish Guard leads the marching band into Sun Life Stadium for the BCS title game.  John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports
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