Nick Saban Names 'Biggest Mistake' He Made In His Career
01/22/2025 12:53 PM
It's hard to imagine that one of the greatest coaches in college football history has many regrets. But according to Nick Saban, there's one big mistake in his career that still bothers him.
During a recent appearance on "The Pivot" with former player Ryan Clark, Saban revealed that he never should have left LSU to go coach the Miami Dolphins in 2004.
"When I left LSU, that was probably professionally the biggest mistake that I ever made," the seven-time national champion admitted. "Not because we didn't have success in Miami, because I enjoyed coaching in Miami."
"But I found out in that experience that I like coaching in college better because you could develop players — personally, academically, athletically and all that — a little more than in pro ball."
Saban then recalled a conversation he had with agent Jimmy Sexton just before he was set to leave for the NFL.
"So then, I can't go back to LSU. Go to Alabama, and no disrespect to Alabama, it's not Alabama versus LSU," Saban said. "Jimmy Sexton stood on the balcony when I was getting ready to leave LSU... and he said, 'What do your legacy to be as a coach? Do you want to be Vince Lombardi or do you want to be Bear Bryant?' And without hesitation, I said Bear Bryant. And he said, 'What are you doing going to Miami then?'"
The 73-year-old ended up going to Miami anyway where he spent two seasons and amassed a 15-17 record.
Obviously he would eventually return to CFB shortly after where he would go on to build one of the sport's great dynasties with the Crimson Tide. But it makes you wonder what his legacy would be like had he never left Baton Rouge.
Related: ESPN NFL Analyst Dan Orlovsky Issued Apology Tuesday Morning
