Off to Miami: Nick Saban to Coach in the NFL
 
LSU coach has finally given in to the lure of the NFL.  

Dec. 25, 2004

By Brian Curtis
Senior Editor, CSTV

NEW YORK, NY -- Nick Saban has made it official. He is leaving LSU and is headed to the Miami Dolphins -- in a league where he's always wanted to be a head coach. The decision-making process was drawn out -- partly because of the holiday, partly because of financial negotiations and yes, partly because of ego. I've gotten to know Saban pretty well over the last year, co-writing a book with the coach which -- ironically -- is to be released nationwide on Tuesday. The decision to leave LSU was tough, as he is so well loved and would have had a great team next year. But the biggest pull that was keeping him in Baton Rouge was his teenage daughter. She'll now have to adjust in southern Florida.

This could have been announced earlier, but Saban wanted to tell his team before making the announcement to the media -- and the first time he and the players were together was in Orlando at the hotel. It's a classy thing to do.

So what does this mean for the Dolphins? I have no doubts that Saban will have them in the playoffs within two years, perhaps even next season. He is made to be an NFL coach and he has the power in Miami to make personnel decisions.

As for LSU, athletic director Skip Bertman has had plenty of time to work on the new hire. Names like Butch Davis, Les Miles and Dennis Erickson are getting thrown about. Keep an eye on current NFL head coach Jack Del Rio too.

The wait is over, the residents of Louisiana can exhale and move on with life ... and the Tigers can finally focus on Iowa in the Capital One Bowl (January 1, 2005).

Brian Curtis serves as an analyst and insider in all of CSTV's football programming and is CSTV's Senior Editor. To ask Brian a question or comment on his column, e-mail him at bcurtis@cstv.com. Read Brian's latest insiders' book, Every Week A Season, on sale now at all major bookstores and online.


 
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