Baton Rouge, LA (U-WIRE) -- The man who led the LSU Tigers to the 2003 national championship announced Saturday he will leave the university to become head coach of the NFL's Miami Dolphins.

Coach Nick Saban, who has held his position at LSU for five years, informed his players of his decision to leave at a team meeting held before Saturday's press conference.

"I think the Miami Dolphins are a great organization with a great owner who is committed to winning," Saban said. "This opportunity, with this organization, was one of the best that's ever been presented to me."

Saban said he will now turn his attention to the Capital One Bowl, where the Tigers will face Iowa on Jan. 1.

"A bowl game is a reward for your team, for our team," Saban said. "I don't want that to be tarnished by what the coach is going through. From this time forward I want to devote our time and my attention to this team."

Saban said he was impressed with Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga, who flew his private plane to Baton Rouge, La., on Friday to continue talks with Saban, and thinks the new job will be a challenge.

"We've never taken over a successful program," Saban said. "I feel fortunate to have two very strongly positive choices.

Saban's contract is rumored to include between $4.5 million and $5 million and gives him complete control over personnel decisions.

The Dolphins have been courting Saban for weeks in an attempt to replace Dave Wannstedt, who was fired midseason.

Saban and the LSU football team traveled to Orlando, Fla., on Saturday, and will continue to prepare this week for the Capital One Bowl.

(C) 2004 The Reveille via U-WIRE