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)
Tags - 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
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 Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Alabama celebrates. Robert Mayer, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Alabama coach Nick Saban celebrates his fourth career BCS national championship (three with Alabama, one with LSU). John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Alabama coach Nick Saban gets the trational Gatorade shower in the closing moments of the Crimson Tide's victory. Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron and coach Nick Saban celebrate. Robert Mayer, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron celebrates with a kiss for the championship trophy. John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron celebrates with his family after winning the BCS national championship. Robert Mayer, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Alabama offensive lineman Alex Shine celebrates. Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Alabama running back Eddie Lacy celebrates. John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Alabama cheerleaders celebrate. Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Alabama offensive linesman D.J. Fluker celebrates as the final seconds tick off the clock. Eileen Blass, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Alabama fans celebrate. Eileen Blass, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Alabama coach Nick Saban gets the trational Gatorade shower in the closing moments. Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
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 Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
A lone Notre Dame fan remains in his section of the stands after Alabama's win. John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Alabama receiver Amari Cooper, right, celebrates his fourth-quarter touchdown with lineman Cyrus Kouandjio. Eileen Blass, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron celebrates a fourth-quarter touchdown pass. John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Alabama receiver Amari Cooper hauls in his second touchdown catch of the game in the fourth quarter. Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
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 Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
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 Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
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 Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
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 Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Alabama running back Eddie Lacy celebrates his second-quarter touchdown catch. Robert Mayer, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
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 Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
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 Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
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 Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron (10) passes over leaping Notre Dame defensive lineman Kapron Lewis-Moore (89). Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Notre Dame returner Davonte' Neal fumbles a punt late in the first half. Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen
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
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 SportsRelated story Fullscreen![None]()
Alabama celebrates. Robert Mayer, USA TODAY SportsRelated story Fullscreen![None]()
Alabama coach Nick Saban celebrates his fourth career BCS national championship (three with Alabama, one with LSU). John David Mercer, USA TODAY SportsRelated story Fullscreen![None]()
Alabama coach Nick Saban gets the trational Gatorade shower in the closing moments of the Crimson Tide's victory. Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY SportsRelated story Fullscreen![None]()
Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron and coach Nick Saban celebrate. Robert Mayer, USA TODAY SportsRelated story Fullscreen![None]()
Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron celebrates with a kiss for the championship trophy. John David Mercer, USA TODAY SportsRelated story Fullscreen![None]()
Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron celebrates with his family after winning the BCS national championship. Robert Mayer, USA TODAY SportsRelated story Fullscreen![None]()
Alabama offensive lineman Alex Shine celebrates. Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY SportsRelated story Fullscreen![None]()
Alabama running back Eddie Lacy celebrates. John David Mercer, USA TODAY SportsRelated story Fullscreen![None]()
Alabama cheerleaders celebrate. Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY SportsRelated story Fullscreen![None]()
Alabama offensive linesman D.J. Fluker celebrates as the final seconds tick off the clock. Eileen Blass, USA TODAY SportsRelated story Fullscreen![None]()
Alabama fans celebrate. Eileen Blass, USA TODAY SportsRelated story Fullscreen![None]()
Alabama coach Nick Saban gets the trational Gatorade shower in the closing moments. Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY SportsRelated story Fullscreen![None]()
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 SportsRelated story Fullscreen![None]()
A lone Notre Dame fan remains in his section of the stands after Alabama's win. John David Mercer, USA TODAY SportsRelated story Fullscreen![None]()
Alabama receiver Amari Cooper, right, celebrates his fourth-quarter touchdown with lineman Cyrus Kouandjio. Eileen Blass, USA TODAY SportsRelated story Fullscreen![None]()
Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron celebrates a fourth-quarter touchdown pass. John David Mercer, USA TODAY SportsRelated story Fullscreen![None]()
Alabama receiver Amari Cooper hauls in his second touchdown catch of the game in the fourth quarter. Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY SportsRelated story Fullscreen![None]()
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 SportsRelated story Fullscreen![None]()
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 SportsRelated story Fullscreen![None]()
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 SportsRelated story Fullscreen![None]()
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 SportsRelated story Fullscreen![None]()
Alabama running back Eddie Lacy celebrates his second-quarter touchdown catch. Robert Mayer, USA TODAY SportsRelated story Fullscreen![None]()
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 SportsRelated story Fullscreen![None]()
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 SportsRelated story Fullscreen![None]()
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 SportsRelated story Fullscreen![None]()
Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron (10) passes over leaping Notre Dame defensive lineman Kapron Lewis-Moore (89). Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY SportsRelated story Fullscreen![None]()
Notre Dame returner Davonte' Neal fumbles a punt late in the first half. Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY SportsRelated story Fullscreen
