Saban's Agent Says He Might Leave Bama For Texas
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – His name is still reviled in South Florida for lying to the fans and quitting on the Miami Dolphins. But he's revered in Alabama for taking the Tide back to the top of the college football world, but will Bama fans' attitude towards Nick Saban be about to change?
Saban's agent, Jimmy Sexton, told Texas officials the only school he would consider leaving Alabama for is the University of Texas. He also said that Saban's success with the Crimson Tide has put the head coach under "special pressure."
The details of the call were detailed in an email sent from former Texas Regent Tom Hicks and current Regent Wallace Hall.
"Sexton confirmed that UT is the only job Nick would possibly consider leaving Alabama for, and that his success there created special pressure for him," Hicks wrote.
The pressure was not further explained in the email and Sexton declined comment Tuesday. Saban was not available after practice.
Two days after the call, Hicks approached Texas coach Mack Brown about the possibility of retiring. Brown, who is under contract until 2020, said he wanted to stay. Hicks sent the email to his brother and current Regent Steve Hicks five days after the AP first reported that the call took place.
Saban has repeatedly said he will not be leaving the Miami Dolphins, er, Crimson Tide, but Texas may be preparing to back up a Brinks truck to land Saban. Rumors of a salary in the $10 million per season range have been talked about to get Saban to Texas.
The Longhorns just replaced athletic director Deloss Dodds with Steve Patterson. Dodds was a long-time supporter of Texas head coach Mack Brown, but the Longhorns have had several poor seasons by Texas standards. However, Texas is currently in line for a BCS bowl shot if it can win the Big XII Conference.
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