Nick Saban Admits He Probably Made Mistake With His LSU Tenure
11/18/2024 02:35 PM
Nick Saban will always be synonymous with turning Alabama into a perennial powerhouse, but he held his SEC initiation at LSU.
After working as a defensive coordinator for Bill Belichick's Cleveland Browns, Saban spent five seasons as Michigan State's head coach before staying in college for another five years at Baton Rouge. During that time, he led LSU to a 48-16 record and his first of seven national championships.
Now retired after running a dynasty in Tuscaloosa, the new College GameDay panelist reflected on his LSU days during Friday's appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. Saban called LSU a "wild place" with a fun atmosphere before lamenting his decision to leave.
"The people treated me great there, and I appreciate that. Terry and I loved it there. Probably made a mistake going back to pro ball from there," Saban said. "But only way we could go back to college was to go back to Alabama, but that's a great rivalry. The LSU-Alabama is a great rivalry."
In 2005, Saban re-joined the NFL to coach the Miami Dolphins. Inheriting a team that went 4-12 the previous year, they finished his first season 9-7 season after winning their final six games.
However, Miami went 6-10 the following season. The organization infamously signed free-agent quarterback Dante Culpepper over Drew Brees, who now ranks second to Tom Brady in all-time passing yards and touchdowns.
Following two seasons without a playoff appearance, Saban went back to college to replace Mike Shula at Alabama. He shouldn't have any regrets about that choice, as the Crimson Tide notched double-digit victories in 16 straight seasons before he retired this year.
His Dolphins tenure may not have gone the way Saban wanted, but perhaps his entire life trajectory would have changed if he never took the leap. As Saban alluded to, he might not have jumped ship straight from LSU to Alabama.
Related: There's Speculation Nick Saban Could Return To College Football - As An Assistant
