Former Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians caused a stir today by hinting Alabama head coach Nick Saban — fresh off a National Championship — could be interested in the Giants’ head coaching vacancy. However, those rumors can be quickly stamped out, as Saban does not have any interest in coming to New York, according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post (Twitter link). 
“It would not surprise me,” Arians said, when asked by FOX Sports’ Colin Cowherd if Saban would take the Giants’ position (Twitter link) . “And there’s a job he covets. It just happens to be open. But he’s got a dynasty right now, another dynamite recruiting class. Why he would do it, I don’t know, but it wouldn’t shock me if he did.”
Saban, of course, has spent time in the NFL both as a head coach and defensive coordinator, and memorably posted a 15-17 record with the Dolphins from 2006-07 before abruptly leaving to head back to the college game. Since then, he’s been remarkably successful, managing five titles with the Crimson Tide while sending a bevy of first-round picks to the pros.
Thus far, the Giants have interviewed six candidates in their bid to replace Ben McAdoo. Here’s where things stand:
- Josh McDaniels, offensive coordinator (Patriots): Interviewed on 1/5
- Matt Patricia, defensive coordinator (Patriots): Interviewed on 1/5
- Jim Schwartz, defensive coordinator (Eagles): Interview put on hold
- Pat Shurmur, offensive coordinator (Vikings): Interviewed on 1/6
- Steve Spagnuolo, interim head coach/DC (Giants): Interviewed on 1/3
- Eric Studesville, former assistant head coach/RBs (Broncos): To be interviewed on 1/10
- Steve Wilks, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Interviewed on 1/9
At some point he probably will return to the NFL, but not this offseason
Highly make that very unlikely he returns to the NFL. Given his age (67). And the fact he has the best coaching job in all of football. He ain’t going anywhere
I could easily see him staying for life but the best job in football is definitely not in alabama. And probably isn’t at the college level either
What’s jobs in college are better than Alabama? I’m a LSU fan and even I can admit it’s the best job
He didn’t say college. It said “all of football”
He said probably isn’t at the college level either jackass
He will not return to the NFL. He’s guaranteed success at Alabama in spite being an average coach. He’ll stay where he looks good.
Plus he’s making a ton of money to stay there.
That and he would likely ask for GM responsibilities as well (similar to what Belichick currently has). Would have to be a perfect opening where both the GM and HC positions are open.
Culpepper over Brees says no tram would ever give him GM responsibilities.
That would be his asking price though. Why would he leave Alabama, where he’s getting paid a ton of money with complete control over the football program to go to an NFL coaching job where he wouldn’t have similar powers (and likely a paycut)? I mean plenty of other established GMs make mistakes. Its not like Bill Belichick has been perfect on all of his roster choices.
I believe he wanted Brees but the owner said no, so he settled on Culpepper
He has done so well in college football I don’t think he should ever leave. The dynasty has has built at Alabama is coveted by everyone. He has a HUGE advantage over anyone else recruiting year after year.
He’s got a very clogged depth chart. Not everyone blue chip recruit wants to wait 3 or 4 years to start.
Wow what a problem to have
Saban makes in excess of $11 mil per year, which is more than he would make in NFL. He’s comfortable there, and they love him in Bama. He’s not going anywhere.
He won’t leave Alabama. Maybe a few years ago I thought he could’ve just because there was so much smoke about him genuinely wishing to correct the only “black mark” on his career, but now that’s he’s won so many national titles and is in no position to continue to stop winning more, he won’t leave. Same reason Geno at UCONN won’t leave for a Men’s job or an NBA gig or why Coach K or Roy won’t leave Tobacco Road. Sure the possibility is always there and one could speculate as to wether they’d want to jump to the pros but there’s no need to. I’ve never heard Urban Meyer being speculated as a pro coach. In all likelihood, it’ll be Calipari and Jim Harbaugh making the leap eventually back into the pros.
I almost think Saban would be bored at this point… What else can he accomplish? The only thing left for him to conquer is the NFL and I wonder if an attractive job opened somewhere like KC where they have their next Qb in Mahomes, young talent in Hill and Hunt, and a good defense, would he jump on that? Not to mention whatever picks they can get for trading Smith, that’s a good gig if Reid gets canned.
can someone explain why they can interview Patriots candidates during their playoff run but not Eagles candidates during their playoff run? Is it by permission of the team?
So normally during the playoffs, you can’t interview guys unless a bye week (for the top two seeds) or until after their first playoff game (or it might be after the team gets eliminated). If the Giants were requesting permission to interview an Eagles coach, I believe that the Eagles can technically deny the Giants permission to do so.