Nick Saban Seems Content As Alabama Coach Despite NFL Opportunities

Nick Saban is the best head coach in college football. It’s not up for debate.

He has led Alabama to four national championships since arriving in Tuscaloosa in 2007, including an impressive run of three titles in four years from 2009 through 2012.

Saban left LSU after the 2004 season to test himself in the NFL as a head coach of the Miami Dolphins. He lasted just two years in Miami and posted a 15-17 record. After returning to the collegiate level, Saban seems quite content at Alabama, even if pro teams continue to call.

“I’ve had other opportunities to go to the NFL, and I’ve just chosen not to do it,” Saban recently told MMQB.com’s Emily Kaplan.

“Look, I love the NFL. I have no problem with the NFL. The one thing about college coaching that always appealed to me is the chance to impact young people at a critical time in their development.”

Saban later added: “I used to think at the end of the day, being a head coach in the NFL was the No. 1 thing. But when I got to that, it was like, Well maybe you already had the No. 1 thing for you and what you like.”

No. 1 ranked Alabama opens its national title defense Saturday night against No. 20 USC.

Thumbnail photo via Butch Dill/USA TODAY Sports Images