Ron Higgins article that appeared in the Times Picayune of Dec. 13 concerning Saban leaving LSU has as many holes as swiss cheese. In this writers judgement, Saban wanted out at LSU for reasons never made public. I respect Skip Bertman as a person, as a coach and as a athletic director, but his reasons as to why Saban left LSU for Miami as articulated by Higgins does not wash.
Higgins says Bertman told him LSU could not compete with Miami's monetary offer and then says Saban would not leave Alabama for Texas because of money. In fact Bertman was quoted as saying Saban is not a money guy. Saban was smart enough to let it be known while he was at LSU that he might one day return to pro football. That gave him an out when Miami called. Saban had no excuse about the NFL because he previously coached there.
For what ever reason, Saban used the Miami offer as the perfect cover to return to college football at the most opportune time for him. Saban was smart enough to know he would never have the success at coaching in the NFL as he would coaching in college.
Make no mistake, Saban wanted out at LSU for some reason and laid the ground work for his departure when proclaimed he would keep the door open to return to the NFL. I also happen to believe Saban did a poor coaching job at LSU in the year after LSU won the national championship. His mind was not on LSU football.
Perhaps one day fans will be told the true story of why Saban left LSU. I feel sure Saban let his feelings be known to some one.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
