Chicago Sun Times - December 22, 2006:
Nick Saban says he doesn't browse the Internet.
He may have to start soon, if only to follow the persistent rumors about him and his future.
A story posted on NFL.com this week said Alabama "keeps on making runs at Saban" in an effort to convince the Miami Dolphins coach to return to college and take over in Tuscaloosa for the fired Mike Shula. The same story even said an unnamed NFL head coach said Saban is getting closer to joining the Crimson Tide.
So on Thursday, Saban -- who has tried to denounce the story about him potentially going to Alabama numerous times in recent weeks -- again, and adamantly, denied that he's headed back to the college ranks.
"I guess I have to say it," Saban said. "I'm not going to be the Alabama coach."
When the stories linking Alabama and Saban began circulating last month, almost immediately after Shula got fired following a 6-6 season, the former LSU coach said he was flattered but not interested.
He's bristled at nearly every suggestion about him leaving the Dolphins since.
"I don't know how many times I've got to respond to rumor and innuendo," Saban said. "I have no control over that. I've stated what my intentions are and they really haven't changed, so I don't know what the issue is. And I don't know why people keep asking about it."
Saban acknowledged earlier this month that Alabama approached his agent about its coaching job, but he declined an invitation to talk to the Crimson Tide.
Saban agreed to a five-year contract worth at least $22.5 million with Miami on Christmas Day 2004.
