Not-So-Sweet Home Alabama for Nick Saban?

Has Nick Saban tired of the media bashing? Or is he just getting tired in general? 

These are just two of the many questions prompted by the following recent statements from the Crimson Tide’s head coach via an interview with ESPN.com reporter Chris Low: 

"This is it for me. I'm 56 years old. I've moved around, in my opinion, too much. I've made some mistakes. ... I'm going to stay here and do this. There are no other horizons for me," Saban said. 

Saban opens up to reporters? Is this even possible? 

Keep in mind this is the same Nick Saban who has continued to bash media personnel quicker than Adrian Peterson bursts through a hole. 

Nevertheless, Saban humbly admitted, if that’s even possible, "I've made some mistakes." 

I presume these “mistakes” come predominately from his stint with the Dolphins.  

Obviously, the move to Tuscaloosa, which made him the “Four Million Dollar Man” as well as head coach of one of the most storied college football programs, was no mistake on his part. 

However, whatever was intended by the latter statement is insignificant, simply because the former rings loud and clear.

And trust me, if Saban does decide to change his mind and bolt for another school, he will never be able to live those words down. In fact, it was just recently that his critics finally stopped talking about his departure from South Beach.

Saban has now established an objective for himself that perhaps has never really been established: staying until the job is ultimately finished.  

He left Michigan State after turning that program around to head to LSU, but things were never “complete” before he left.  

He left LSU after a national title to an endeavor he had sought his entire life – an NFL head coaching job.

Yet, as was seen this past season, the team he built could have propelled him to the top of college football’s elite coaches by winning multiple national titles. Still, he bolted for his dream job. 

He left Miami after only two seasons, as soon as that venture went belly-up. So obviously he took the money and ran straight back to the one place he was most comfortable and most successful when the opportunity afforded itself.

Now where does he run when this is over?

According to him, it appears to possibly be back to his home state of West Virginia. Maybe it’s to a life of kicking back and forgetting about the daily grind. 

For me, however, it seems so strange to view a man of his demeanor in any other role than that of a dictator over a football army somewhere. 

After all, the man is still revered in many markets, even former markets, as being a great coach. Look no further than Cajun Country to see this truth.

"LSU football coach Les Miles will make more than $3.75 million -- guaranteed -- this coming season, giving him $1,000 more than Alabama coach Nick Saban." – Baton Rouge Advocate.

And "LSU's Miles bests Saban by $1,000." -  Monroe (LA) News Star.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out the eminence of Saban’s status. Why else make a comparison to him? 

Naturally, if Saban has made his “last stop” speech, and many still deem him as being one of college football’s top coaches, the only things that remain are more questions.

Where does this leave Saban in regard to his time remaining at the Capstone?