Saban agrees to contract with Alabama
By Alex Marvez
Sun-Sentinel.com
Posted January 3 2007, 10:34 AM EST
DAVIE -- The Nick Saban coaching era with the Dolphins has ended.
A source said Wednesday morning that Saban has agreed to become the new head coach at the University of Alabama, ending his two-year tenure with the Dolphins.
A source said Saban failed to show this morning for a scheduling meeting at team headquarters in Davie with Dolphins owner H. Wayne Huizenga. Saban told Huizenga of his intentions via telephone and then informed all of his coaches by speakerphone that he was leaving to accept the Alabama position, the source said.
The deal reportedly is worth between $30 million and $32 million over eight years, although the actual value could vary based on guarantees and other clauses. Saban just finished the second year of a five-year, $22.5 million contract with the Dolphins.
College success, including a 2003 national championship with Louisiana State, and an NFL reputation as a defensive guru while working as a coordinator in Cleveland during the early 1990s made Saban the Dolphins' top candidate to replace Dave Wannstedt following a disastrous 2004 season.
But after a 9-7 record and six-game winning streak to end last season, the Dolphins didn't live up to preseason expectations in 2006. The Dolphins finished 6-10 and enter the offseason with one of the NFL's oldest rosters as well as uncertainty at quarterback stemming from Daunte Culpepper's knee problems.
By Alex Marvez
Sun-Sentinel.com
Posted January 3 2007, 10:34 AM EST
DAVIE -- The Nick Saban coaching era with the Dolphins has ended.
A source said Wednesday morning that Saban has agreed to become the new head coach at the University of Alabama, ending his two-year tenure with the Dolphins.
A source said Saban failed to show this morning for a scheduling meeting at team headquarters in Davie with Dolphins owner H. Wayne Huizenga. Saban told Huizenga of his intentions via telephone and then informed all of his coaches by speakerphone that he was leaving to accept the Alabama position, the source said.
The deal reportedly is worth between $30 million and $32 million over eight years, although the actual value could vary based on guarantees and other clauses. Saban just finished the second year of a five-year, $22.5 million contract with the Dolphins.
College success, including a 2003 national championship with Louisiana State, and an NFL reputation as a defensive guru while working as a coordinator in Cleveland during the early 1990s made Saban the Dolphins' top candidate to replace Dave Wannstedt following a disastrous 2004 season.
But after a 9-7 record and six-game winning streak to end last season, the Dolphins didn't live up to preseason expectations in 2006. The Dolphins finished 6-10 and enter the offseason with one of the NFL's oldest rosters as well as uncertainty at quarterback stemming from Daunte Culpepper's knee problems.
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