Nick Saban Would Be Foolish to Leave Alabama for Cleveland Browns

As Nick Saban leads Alabama to its second consecutive appearance in the BCS National Championship Game, there are murmurs that the Cleveland Browns are pursuing the historic coach.

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam is reportedly interested in Saban, according to Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal.

But while landing Saban would be a win for the Browns, it doesn't work both ways.

Saban's done this before, by the way. He took a head coaching gig with the Miami Dolphins before the 2005 season and proceeded to go a combined 15-17 in two years with the team.

That's not to say Saban cannot develop into an excellent NFL coach, but some coaches are just better geared for college football. 

This is the third time in four years Alabama has made it to the national title game and Saban has a career record of 153-55-1 at the collegiate level. That includes stops at Toledo, Michigan State and LSU. What's not to like?

Saban has bounced around throughout his career, but he seems to have found a place he can call home now. Widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in college football history, if Saban wins the national title game this season, that would be his third title in four years, which is simply ridiculous.

Saban seems happy with the Crimson Tide, too.

He told Dan Le Batard on Dec. 18, via the Akron Beacon Journal report:

"

I really enjoy what I’m doing here right now. You develop a lot of relationships and loyalties to the players you recruit and the players you have on the team and the people you have in the organization. I don’t think it’s really fair to leave. I regretted when I left LSU because I left a lot of relationships there. Hopefully I’ll be able to stay here for a long, long time.

"

That certainly doesn't sound like someone who wants to march off to the NFL, particularly when he would be tasked with taking on another woeful franchise.

Saban's heart has always been at the collegiate level and that's where it should remain. He won't leave the Crimson Tide. He's too smart for that.

What are your thoughts?