Huizenga Says He Doesn't Feel Betrayed By Saban
Miami Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga confirmed at a news conference at the team's headquarters in Davie, Fla., that Coach Nick Saban had decided to leave the club to accept a contract offer from the University of Alabama.
"It is what it is," Huizenga said. "... There's a lot of reasons why decisions get made in life. But the net is, he's not coming back... and we have to move forward."
Huizenga said he met with Saban this morning at Saban's home. He said he never received an assurance from Saban that Saban would stay, and Saban never asked him for a raise to remain with the Dolphins. He indicated he didn't feel betrayed by Saban.
"I'm not upset because it's more involved than what you think," Huizenga said. "... I'm not upset with Nick. I think Nick is great.... I'm a Nick Saban fan."
Huizenga vowed that the Dolphins would spare no expense to build a winning team as they launch the search for their new coach.
By Mark Maske |
January 3, 2007; 11:52 AM ET
| Category:
Dolphins
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Posted by: JD | January 3, 2007 12:27 PM
How about Mike Shula going to Miami?
Posted by: Henry | January 3, 2007 12:36 PM
Huizenga just showed that he has a lot more class than Saban
Posted by: DB | January 3, 2007 1:27 PM
There are a whole bunch of great candidates out there...
Jim Fassel
Denny Green
Jim Mora
Marty Mohringwig
Who know's, maybe Buddy Ryan or Mike Ditka would give it another try. Art Shell may be looking for a job soon.
Posted by: Like Old Coaches | January 3, 2007 1:42 PM
Huzienga has more class! that's a stretch if there is one. Hey resigning from a job for another is not that serious. Maybe we need to review the Huzienga file and check his past for class.
Posted by: RobGreg | January 3, 2007 2:32 PM
Huizenga hired Saban. Huizenga has the Dolphins on the market. How long would Saban stay with the Dolphins with (a) a new ownership group who has spent mega-bucks for a franchise that wants the team to win now and (b) a couple more losing seasons while the team is rebuilt to be competitive?
This is a no brainer - the guy who hired you is going to be gone and the new boss doesn't like the results you are getting.
Take the $40 million over 8 years and enjoy not having a salary cap and 90 players on the sidelines to play.
Posted by: BoltsFan | January 3, 2007 3:28 PM
Surely you cannot be serious in calling Dennis Green a great candidate for a head coaching job. The records of his teams in the most recent four seasons was putrid (5-10, 6-11, 5-10, 5-10), and his post-season record is equally dismal. You can't really blame it on him having no talented players, either.
So what if he did well in the seasons before that four year stretch. He's not the first coach to perform extremely poorly after trying to mount a comeback (Joe Gibbs, anyone?).
Jim Mora, yes. Denny Green, no.
Posted by: Are you kidding? | January 3, 2007 3:36 PM
It's simple. The team is for sale. The results this year were disappointing. Saban now has some self doubt. Going back to college is like a security blanket. That is, until the Tide loses to Auburn again.
Posted by: Bakes | January 3, 2007 3:55 PM
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In other news, Pope found to be Catholic, and sun rises in the East.
Details at 11p