Alabama, Dolphins await Saban's decision

MIAMI (AP) _ This time, Alabama is making Nick Saban's decision more difficult. <br/><br/>Quickly rebuffed in previous attempts to hire the Miami Dolphins' coach, the Crimson Tide had another offer

Tuesday, January 2nd 2007, 12:19 pm

By: News On 6

MIAMI (AP) _ This time, Alabama is making Nick Saban's decision more difficult.

Quickly rebuffed in previous attempts to hire the Miami Dolphins' coach, the Crimson Tide had another offer on the table Tuesday. And the Dolphins feared he might say yes.

Saban was expected to meet with Miami owner Wayne Huizenga to discuss the offer.

For weeks Saban denied interest in the Alabama job, which became vacant when Mike Shula was fired in late November. When the Dolphins' season ended Sunday, the Tide upped the ante with their latest proposal, which reportedly would make Saban the highest-paid coach in college football.

He has three years remaining on his Miami contract at $4.5 million per year.

If money doesn't sway Saban, a preference for the college game may. He won a national championship at Louisiana State and is only 15-17 in two years with the Dolphins.

They went 6-10 in 2006, his first losing season in 13 years as a head coach.

Saban weighed the relative merits of the NFL and college in a November interview.

``I really like coaching pro football,'' he said. ``The relationship with the players is great and being in the most competitive league in terms of competitive balance is fantastic. ...

``There is a great spirit and sense of community that you get in college football because of people's ties to the school. There is a lot of gratification gained from making an impact on young men 18 to 22. I really enjoyed that.

``I really couldn't choose one over the other. I've enjoyed each experience.''

Speculation about Saban taking another job was a perennial topic when he coached at LSU and, before that, Michigan State.

Huizenga has said he received repeated assurances from Saban late in the season that he would return in 2007. And Saban issued frequent public denials of interest in moving to Tuscaloosa, such as on Dec. 21, when he said: ``I'm not going to be the Alabama coach.''

After Saban turned down the Tide in early December, they offered the job to Rich Rodriguez, but he decided to stay at West Virginia.

Alabama lost last week to Oklahoma State in the Independence Bowl to finish 6-7.