Nick Saban is "too damn old." At least that is what the Alabama head coach said when asked if he would be making the jump to the Texas Longhorns in 2014. The Associated Press reported Thursday that a Texas regent met with Saban's agent, Jimmy Sexton, back in January about the possibility of the Alabama head coach changing programs. That same agent went to current Texas coach Mack Brown to ask if he was a ready to retire, receiving a response of "no." The issue was dropped until the AP decided to run the story on Thursday, leaving Saban to answer the question that gets asked every year.
Saban, who turns 62 in October, is once again having to reassure the Crimson Tide faithful that he is not looking for a new job. While talking with Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News during his radio show, Saban downplayed any idea that he was going to be the next coach of the Texas Longhorns.
"Nothing went on that I know of. I don't know about any of this stuff," Saban said, via AL.com. "I haven't talked to anybody about that particular situation. They have a coach there. Every year it's something. Last year it was the Cleveland Browns. The year before it was somebody else, the NFL. Terry and I are very happy here in Tuscaloosa. We really love the University of Alabama. We feel like a part of a community here and we have lots of good friends here. And quite frankly, I'm just too damn old to start over somewhere else."
It is really no surprise that Saban's name is coming up in the discussion about the coaching job at Texas. First, Texas has a coach until Brown decides otherwise, but a 1-2 start have many fans crying out for Saban. The Longhorns have a money tree next to their practice field and are prepared to offer the best coach the biggest contract known to mankind.
There is no arguing that right now Saban is the best in college football. He has led Alabama to winning three of the last four BCS national championships. The Tide are once again sitting at No. 1 in the nation after a big win over Texas A&M. Saxton fields calls all the time for teams, both NFL and college. Saban said his agent is supposed to talk to people because that is what he pays him for.
For now, Tide fans can sleep another night, resting easy knowing that Saban will remain their head coach. These rumors will not go away. Teams will continue to call until Saban decides his career has come to an end.
"I think most people know I'm here for the long haul," Saban said, via Chris Low at ESPN.com. "I'm not looking for another challenge. I've done that too much. I'm not satisfied with my performance, but I am satisfied with myself being here."
