Nick Saban, one of the most successful coaches in college football history, has revealed a major regret from his career.
Despite his many triumphs, including seven national championships, Saban recently admitted on “The Pivot” podcast that leaving LSU to coach the Miami Dolphins was his biggest professional mistake.
Saban, who is widely revered for his success at Alabama, acknowledged that his time in the NFL was valuable but ultimately helped him realize his true passion for coaching college football.
“When I left LSU, that was probably professionally the biggest mistake that I ever made,” he said.
While he enjoyed his time with the Dolphins, Saban realized that coaching in college allowed him to develop players in ways that the professional game did not.
He also shared an interesting exchange with his agent, Jimmy Sexton, before making the decision to leave LSU. Sexton asked Saban whether he wanted to have a legacy similar to legendary college coach Bear Bryant or NFL icon Vince Lombardi. Saban, without hesitation, chose Bryant, yet still decided to pursue the Dolphins’ job.
While he now considers this move a mistake, Saban believes it ultimately shaped him into the coach he is today. After returning to college football with Alabama, he cemented his legacy as one of the greatest to ever coach the game.
Saban, who announced his retirement last year, has won seven national championships, five SEC Coach of the Year awards, and numerous other accolades. At 73, he now reflects on his remarkable career, which continues to influence college football.
