Saban Knows College Is Home: There to Stay, for Now

I recently read an article saying that Nick Saban would most likely jump ship in two to three years. Here is why I disagree.

Nick Saban has been at the University of Alabama for two seasons now, and the "process" he talks about in every press-conference, is not just blabber.

He is steadily rebuilding the football program at Alabama, and will not leave until he gets them back to national prominence. The writer of the article said that Saban's recruits most likely will not have him for their career, but that surely does not affect their decision to play football for the Tide.

In my opinion, I see him staying with the tide for at least five more seasons, but then again. that is just my thoughts. He even stated that college football is his home, and he is very comfortable in Tuscaloosa.

After a bitter NFL struggle in Miami, it is hard to see him leaving Tuscaloosa in the next two to three years.

I am not saying he will retire at Alabama, but I do not believe he is going anywhere soon. I am sure he is on the NFL owners' minds as their target for their next coach. You might say he would not turn down the money they had to offer, but with a four-million dollar contract, Saban probably realizes that he does not need more money to be happy.

Saban deserves to be a hall of fame college football coach, but did not have the best experience in the NFL.

On the other hand, most Alabama fans would not be upset with Saban if he left five years now, as long as he completes his "process."

So far, the process he speaks of has been pretty good to the Tide. He sacrificed his first season with Alabama for the long-term process. He went 6-6 in his first season, following a bowl win, but followed that up with a 12-0 season in his second year. The Tide will play the Utah Utes in the Sugar Bowl in January.

The main thing that will determine how long Saban stays is his success rate. If he gets a championship ring in the next year or two, he might be with Alabama for five more years. If the process takes longer, you might be looking at seven or eight seasons, who knows?

In Tuscaloosa, Saban has earned the name "Dr. Saban", the way he restored the Tide after they were not looking so healthy. When you are sick, the doctor stays by your side until he knows you are healthy. On most occasions, the doctor even wants to stay with you longer to see your success, and make sure you stay that way.

Once you are back to health and he thinks you will be OK for good, he then will let you go.

That is how I view Saban's situation with the Tide. Alabama is beginning to look healthy, but Saban will keep providing medication for the Tide, until he cannot do anything else for the program.

Whenever that is, it be three years to eight years, after that, it should not matter who the Tide's coach is, as long as they do not panic and hire someone of Gene Chizik's caliber.

Auburn fans, feel free to get mad, and Alabama fans enjoy this article.