Nick Saban Comments on Possibility of Leaving Alabama, Expectations and More

While Nick Saban admitted this week that he hears the annual rumors about him potentially walking away from Alabama for another high-profile job, he doesn't see a situation where he'd leave the Crimson Tide.

Chris Low of ESPN passed along comments from the 64-year-old coach about what his future may hold. He thinks the biggest mistake people make when discussing those types of hypothetical changes is the human element involved:

"

No, I really don't. I don't see it ever happening, and I know every year somebody has me going somewhere else. I think a lot of it isn't just about the coaching part. What people don't understand is they forget you're a person. They forget you have a wife and two kids and a grandbaby, and they all live in Birmingham.

They all work here. My wife goes to Birmingham five times a week. My mom lives in Birmingham now after moving from Myrtle Beach. It's not just the job. A lot of people don't get that. My life is here.

"

Saban, who's coached Alabama since 2007 and turned the program into a perennial championship contender, admitted there are a lot of obstacles to have sustained success at the college level. He also told ESPN there could be a lull at some point.

"But I know a day is coming where that standard can't be met. You cannot keep that up. There's going to be some period of time ... where you're not at that level," Saban said. "If you look at every coach's record, it's just not possible to sustain that level of success all the time."

For now, however, his main focus is capturing another national title. The Crimson Tide enter the College Football Playoff as the No. 2 seed and will take on Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl for the semifinals. They would face either Clemson or Oklahoma for the title should they advance.

Saban already has four national titles under his belt, so he's got a pretty firm grasp on what it takes to clear the final hurdles. He's pinpointed one crucial reason why this year's group appears ready to do what the last two could not.

"The biggest difference in this team and the last two years is this team seems to have a little more want-to about them," Saban told ESPN. "They want to be great. Some of our teams here have been complacent—like last year, I was disappointed in the way we prepared for the Ohio State game."

Ultimately, he sure doesn't sound like somebody ready to jump at the next great offer that comes his way. But in the world of coaching, it's impossible to rule anything out, especially for a coach with a resume like his who still brings a vibrant nature to the sidelines.

Leading Alabama to another national championship would only raise the price even further if Saban did ever consider other options. But, at least at this point, he's clearly happy to keep leading the Crimson Tide with his family around him for support.