Saban picks NFL at last, accepts Dolphins job
Associated PressThe LSU coach rejected numerous overtures from pro teams before taking control in Miami.
Published December 26, 2004
ORLANDO - LSU coach Nick Saban finally turned pro Saturday, prompting a Christmas night celebration at the home of Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga.
"My wife and I high-fived each other," Huizenga said.
The billionaire businessman anxiously watched from Fort Lauderdale as Saban held a televised news conference in Orlando to announce he would accept an offer to coach the Dolphins.
Saban, courted repeatedly by the NFL in recent years, pondered the offer for three days before disclosing his decision shortly after the Tigers arrived for their Jan. 1 bowl game against Iowa.
"It's a tremendous challenge for me," he said, "and a great opportunity for me and my family."
No contract has been signed, but Saban agreed to a five-year deal worth almost $5-million per year.
He interviewed for the job last week at his home in Baton Rouge, La., hosting Huizenga and team president Eddie Jones for dinner. He met with them again Friday and said he agreed in principle to a deal. But Huizenga said he was unsure they had an agreement until the news conference.
"If somebody held a gun to my head 10 minutes ago, I couldn't tell you," Huizenga said moments after Saban's announcement. "I had a good feeling, but I really did not know."
Saban, 53, will coach LSU in the Citrus Bowl before taking over a franchise enduring its worst season since the 1960s. He becomes the sixth Dolphins coach, the fourth since Huizenga took over in 1994.
Saban, the son of former Patriots, Broncos and Bills coach Lou Saban, has turned down previous overtures from at least five pro teams, including Atlanta and Chicago a year ago. Dave Wannstedt resigned last month as Dolphins coach when they were 1-8.
Upon arriving in Orlando, Saban met with his players to tell them he was leaving.
He said the Dolphins job carried special appeal even though they're one of the NFL's worst teams at 3-11.
"I have a lot of respect and gratitude for everybody who has been interested in me through the years," Saban said. "I just felt like this opportunity, with this organization, was one of the best that's ever been presented to me in terms of how you can control your destiny in the organization."
Huizenga's willingness to give Saban authority over the operation could mean the demotion or departure of general manager Rick Spielman.
The highest-paid coach in college football, Saban is in the first year of an $18.45-million, seven-year contract at LSU, but the deal has no buyout clause penalizing him for taking another job.