Nick Saban's Agent Admits Coach Would Consider Leaving Alabama for Texas

Nick Saban wouldn't really leave Alabama, would he?

The Associated Press reports that Saban's agent, Jimmy Sexton, let Texas Longhorns officials know that the head coach would consider moving to Austin, and that it's the only job he'd jump ship for, via AL.com:

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The agent for coach Nick Saban told Texas officials in January that Texas was the only school he would consider leaving Alabama for and that his success with the Crimson Tide had put him under "special pressure," The Associated Press has learned.

The agent, Jimmy Sexton, made the comments during a 45-minute call with former Texas Regent Tom Hicks and current Regent Wallace Hall. Hicks detailed the call in a Sept. 24 email that was obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press through an open-records request.

"Sexton confirmed that UT is the only job Nick would possibly consider leaving Alabama for, and that his success there created special pressure for him," Hicks wrote.

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Saban later commented on the the story in an interview with ESPN's Tom Rinaldi (via Michael Casagrande of AL.com):

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Well I don't know where these reports come from," Saban said. "I've sort of addressed the situation before. I'm totally committed to the University of Alabama, looking forward to the game we have this week and all my focus has been on LSU and what our team needs to do to play their best.

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If there's one school that could possibly poach Saban, it's Texas. It has the football pedigree necessary to attract somebody with Saban's resume, but perhaps most importantly, the booster base and funding are there to fulfill whatever the financial demands would be.

The Longhorns brought in $104.5 million in 2012 from football alone—the most of any school in the country. Paying Saban $10 million a year would be an easy decision for the school to make if it means getting closer to the national title.

In reality, though, it's unlikely that the Alabama coach will be moving to Texas anytime soon, if at all.

There's the little matter of a coach leaving a school where he's won three national titles and is in pole position for a fourth. He already has a statue for crying out loud. There's barely any incentive for him to leave Tuscaloosa.

Columnist Drew Magary made light of whatever that "special pressure" is:

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I promise you that a coach on the verge of winning his fourth title in five years is under way less special pressure than one who isn't.

— Drew Magary (@drewmagary) November 6, 2013"

If anything, don't be surprised if Saban and his fellow coaches receive a raise, just as further incentive to stay. Maybe that's what this was all about in the first place: posturing to get a few extra dollars. It wouldn't be the first time a coach has played schools against one another to better his contract.   

In addition, the Longhorns are 6-2 this season and first in the Big 12. As long as they win out, they'll qualify for the Fiesta Bowl. As a result, Mack Brown's seat isn't as hot as it was after the 2012 season, and thus, there's a decreased need to hire somebody like Saban.    

Still, Sexton's comments are certainly going to stir the pot.