saban sits down with espn

Saban sits down with ESPN

Nearly two weeks after taking the Alabama job, Nick Saban sat down

with ESPN's Chris Mortensen in a two part interview to explain the

rationale behind his decision (video coming soon). During the time

prior to this interview, Saban has been called everything but a child

of God (well, except in Alabama where he may have been referred to as

God; at minimum a god). Don Shula has ripped him a new one, the LSU

fan base has labeled him a traitor, and it's been rumored there is a

picture of Saban next to "liar" in Webster's latest edition.

Frankly I am tired of this issue, and the hype surrounding it. Despite

that, I couldn't help but watch last night and even write about it

today. All the time folks were questioning Saban's character, did

anybody really ask him why he lied? Did anybody make an effort to make

sense of his actions in this situation? No, not really. Well at least

until Sunday evening, and then again Monday evening.

As far as why Saban took the job, I understand that completely. What

man wouldn't want to be in a situation that he felt was better for

him? Saban enjoys the college game and felt the Alabama job was a more

"secure" situation. He seems to have a genuine passion for helping

develop young players, something you can't do much of at the

professional level. Saban did what was in his heart, and that's all

any of us can ask for. Good for him!

Now comes the lying part. Why did Saban flat out say he was not

interested in the Alabama job. Well in the interview he explained he

was not at the time he made that bold statement. Fair enough, I

suppose. I guess a lot can happen in, oh...48 or so hours. Even so, he

went on to say, denying going to Alabama was the only way he could

finish his NFL season in peace; to not be a distraction to his

players. Again, fair enough. But still, I just couldn't get over the

fact he lied.

When the news first came out that Saban lied, I thought it was bush

league. I thought he should have dropped a "No comment", and moved on.

I thought he could have, and should have, done anything but lie. But

while listening to his interview, I put myself in his shoes. What

would I do? Would I have done the same thing? I mean how many times

have I sought employment yet didn't tell my boss, and all the while

act as if everything was just fine? How many times have I filled out a

job application and checked off the box "do not contact present

employer", because I didn't want my current company to know? Is that

so bad. Ask yourself, have you ever done that?

In my eyes, that is all Saban did. He did it on a much larger scale,

and it affected more people than I ever will. But really he didn't do

anything millions of people don't do everyday. He's been getting

unfairly raked across the coals for doing what we all do: lie about

leaving a job until we know we really can leave. And let's be honest;

if he would have said "I am considering the Alabama job" people would

still be calling him greedy, selfish, sleazy and basically everything

else he's been called (except liar, I suppose). Maybe he didn't take

the highest of roads, but maybe it was the best road all things

considered. I couldn't imagine what my life would be like worried

about what millions of people think of me. Trying to please everybody,

all of the time. Heck, it's hard enough pleasing my wife.

All I'm saying is, cut the man a break. Coaching is a strange

business. If a coach can be fired on a whim, why is it so bad of they

leave on a whim? The Dolphins will be fine, and obviously Alabama is

in good shape.

Besides, maybe honesty isn't always the best policy. Just ask Jim