While Alabama’s fans and administration anxiously wait to see if Nick Saban will sign their lucrative extension, more rumors and doubt start to spread. Could Saban really leave Alabama, the top program in college football, to take the head coaching position at Texas? It sounded absurd at first but now it is looking like a legitimate possibility.
Alabama does not want to go back to life pre-Saban. In the seven years before Saban’s arrival, the Tide went 46-40 and 1-6 against Auburn. In Saban’s seven seasons, he led Alabama to a 79-14 record, three national titles, and a 4-3 record over Auburn. You can see they are desperate for him to stay. However, these are the reasons why the 62 year old coach should jump ship and finish his career in the Lone Star State.
Austin is a better city than Tuscaloosa
This isn’t even a debate, really. It is a fact. Austin is the cultural center of Texas. There is always something to do. It is beautiful and has amazing nightlife. In fact, the city is known as the live music capital of the world. So Saban will have a lot more options and things to spend his ridiculous salary on in Texas. Plus, in 2008, Forbes.com named Austin as the No. 1 drunkest city in America. Apparently everyone is having a good time depending on how you view that statistic. On the other hand, you have Tuscaloosa. I rest my case.
Recruiting
Texas is a huge so it isn’t surprising that it is a hot bed for football talent and that is why the Texas coaching job is a dream scenario for a coach. With the constant battle and travel of recruiting, you wouldn’t even have to leave the state to grab elite talent. From 2008 to 2013, Texas produced 2,147 division one players. Alabama produced 502. Just look at the NFL players who are currently active to gain some perspective. Texas has produced 184 current pros while Alabama has only produced 48.
The fans
Football is king in Texas. Folks often joke that football is a religion in Texas but it is the truth. Whether it is pee-wee, high school, college, or pro football, Texans can’t get enough of it. The book, television series, and film “Friday Night Lights” accurately glamorizes football culture in Texas. Alabama fans care too…too much.
Look at the Alabama fan, Harvey Updyke, who was a focal point of the ESPN documentary “Roll/Tide War Eagle.” The man poisoned the iconic Toomer’s corner trees at rival Auburn. A couple of weeks ago, an Alabama fan killed her sister after the last second loss to Auburn because she didn’t care enough. Granted, that doesn’t reflect all Alabama fans at all but it gives a glimpse of how a fan base can act when they have no other sports or pro teams to divert their focus. Besides, with Saban’s recent domination, he can only go down hill from here and trying to maintain that success with an Alabama fan base will drive you into an early grave.
The Big 12 is not the SEC
If Saban takes over at Texas, he wouldn’t have to worry about the brutal weekly schedule in the SEC. No longer would Saban have to deal with LSU, Auburn, Texas A&M and the occasional power from the SEC East. Saban’s teams would feast upon weaker Big 12 competition. Take the easy road. I’m sure Les Miles and the rest of the SEC would help pack his bags.
Saban will never be the Bear but he can be iconic at Texas
Despite winning three championships at Alabama and having a statue of himself built outside the stadium, Saban will never be Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant. The Bear accomplished it first. He is the legend and even if Saban matches Bryant’s six championships, he will always remain in the shadows. That is not the case at Texas. Although Texas had its most success under Darrell Royal; he is no Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant. Saban can be the legend in Austin and his massive ego knows this much. With Texas’ resources and money and Saban being the best recruiter in the game, he can turn Texas into a juggernaut rather quickly.
Joshua Caudill is a writer for CraveOnline Sports, a surfing enthusiast, a college basketball fanatic, and an expert on all things Patrick Swayze. You can follow him on @JoshuaCaudill85 or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
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