Report: Cleveland Browns may lure Saban back to NFL
Alabama’s Nick Saban could become the next head coach of the Cleveland Browns, the Boston Globe is reporting.
It’s far from a done deal, and a number of pieces would have to fall into place, but the Globe said on Monday that if the Browns hire Michael Lombardi as general manager as rumored, the door could be open to bringing in Saban as head coach. Saban and Lombardi, who is currently an analyst for the NFL Network, worked together for the Cleveland Browns in the early ’90s, where Saban was defensive coordinator and Lombardi was player personnel director.
According to the Globe, “Saban has let it be known that if he returns to the NFL — where he flopped, going 15-17 with the Dolphins from 2005-06 — it would likely be with Lombardi playing Scott Pioli to his Bill Belichick.” Pioli and Belichick are the GM-coach tandem who created a New England Patriots dynasty.
The Browns are suffering through another woeful season at 5-8 and have had only two winning seasons since 1999.
Owner Jimmy Haslam might have more than one reason for luring Saban to the NFL: He’s a prominent University of Tennessee booster, and the Vols are 0-6 against Saban’s Alabama teams.
For his part, Saban has already won two national championships at Alabama (and one at LSU) and will be going for another one on Jan. 7 against Notre Dame. With no mountains left to climb in the college game, could Saban be looking for another shot at the NFL?
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420 comments Add your comment
daniel selby
December 11th, 2012
10:47 am
I have been a Browns Fan all of life and would love to have Mr Saban as a head coach,but I don’t see him leaving Bama for the Browns.
JB
December 11th, 2012
10:48 am
THREE national titles at Bama…..What else can he do for them……except leave and become the first 10 million dollar per yer football coach……..Is there enough Prozac in the world to treat the Bammers if it happens….LOL…….Maybe they hire Petrino LMAO………
Wilson Pickett
December 11th, 2012
10:48 am
You people don’t understand what Nick told you about the NFL. He said you can’t outwork the other teams even if you’re working 24/7/365 and the cap and the players are the real deal. Nick Saban is a not the greatest coach in college football but he is a great recruiter and tireless worker and that is what make him a success. He doesn’t out coach teams but his team will be stronger,more disciplined,and have as much if no more talent that yours. Story is you might get to bash Nick again around NSD when the QB Mcleod is asked to greyshirt. That should make for some interesting reading for you bashers. of course Mark is signing 45 this year due to all the drugs,arrest, and other yearly house cleaing at UGA but of course that is ok a Moral U at Athens. Don’t forget any player not holding their nose when jumping in the pool will miss a turn. Enjoy Orlando but hope you don’t make any wrong turns downtown…..just saying.
JB
December 11th, 2012
10:52 am
Maybe the beat writer at the Miami paper ought to go ask Nick. Saban has always been straight forward with that Newspaper.
Alabama is a crappy place
December 11th, 2012
10:54 am
Saban’s gone. He already proved his point three times (yes, they’re going to beat ND). No one with an above-average IQ could possibly live in Alabama that long.
Hilly
December 11th, 2012
10:55 am
kerryb – one mention of Aaron Murray/Mark Richt/Quincy Carter/Ray Goof/Jim Donnan/Eric Zeier/Garrison Hearst/Jasper Sanks makes me laugh.
Report: Cleveland Browns may lure Saban back to NFL | football-feed.com
December 11th, 2012
11:00 am
[...] to Original Content From Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog): read more Related Articles Share About Author [...]
Cabo
December 11th, 2012
11:00 am
The NFL has a salary cap, Alabama does not.
JB
December 11th, 2012
11:01 am
If I’m Saban at 60, just won my third title in 5 years or so and somebody say’s , 6 years at 60 mil + 5% of the team at a value of say 30 mil….( remember, Saban ain’t a good ole boy southerner) and a GM who he likes. The challenge is there. The ego is not in check of failing before………Don’t think that paper prints that if a whisper from someone hasn’t leaked…….
Wilson Pickett
December 11th, 2012
11:01 am
Lot of butthurt UGA fans in here this morning no doubt. Whoa…Eddie Lacey just ranover Rambo again. Who gave John Jenkins those rollerskates he wore? Jordan Jenkins….Nick looked pretty tall standing on stage for yet another Trophy Both Jenkins and Jarvis should tryout with the track team this spring because they did a FINE job of chasing Eddie…just saying.
JB
December 11th, 2012
11:04 am
W. Pickett…….What else would we expect bammers to say. The big question for you guys is Kirby the man if it happens?
I say yes.
Fleischman in Chi Towns Bed
December 11th, 2012
11:05 am
I think big Ed Lacy just ran for another first down.
Someone please check Aaron Murray’s panties, I think he wet himself (again).
JB
December 11th, 2012
11:05 am
The word ” butthurt” coming out of Bama a lot. What’s going on over there. I would of swore I thought Bama was a Red State.
Wilson Pickett
December 11th, 2012
11:07 am
@kerryb…I guess you dog fans don’t dream of Ray Goff and Donnan? You folks have a small memory much like your trophy case!
Joey
December 11th, 2012
11:08 am
Wilson Pickett, what does your post (11:01) have to do with the topic, which is a Boston Globe article about Saban?
Just saying.
Chuck Oliver
December 11th, 2012
11:09 am
emmmm why have the dogs sucked for 31 years ???? emmmmmmm
Alabama is a crappy place
December 11th, 2012
11:09 am
What’s funny is when Saban leaves, Alabama goes right back to being the irrelevant, podunk toilet bowl it was before he got there. That state is NOTHING without him.
Hilly
December 11th, 2012
11:12 am
@Alabama is a crappy place… u may be right BUT….
They have won more National Championships than your beloved pups have since the 80’s!!!
sucks to suck
Oh Man
December 11th, 2012
11:14 am
Of course Saban is going to say he is not interested in the job. He has already proven he is a liar when he lied and said he wasnt taking the Bammer job.
JB
December 11th, 2012
11:14 am
Joey…………..full blown panic has set in…….What is Shula up to?…..LOL
JB
December 11th, 2012
11:16 am
I thought when they open that new Big Lot’s, Terry Saban’s shopping needs would be met…..I guess not.
Hilly
December 11th, 2012
11:16 am
Hey JB.. u think Georgia will beat Notre Dame ??? errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr nevermind
JB
December 11th, 2012
11:18 am
What do you call alabama without Saban……3 hours of wasted time on the interstate trying to get to Mississippi…..LOL
Wilson Pickett
December 11th, 2012
11:19 am
@JB….I am not sure the folks at Bama will give Kriby the keys but they should. At 62 I have seen the great years and unlike the Coach Bryant years where we thought that would never end this great run will end. I don’t think Nick will return to pro football again period. I worry more about the fact the pressure to win each and every game is wearing on him,the staff, and the players to the point where they’re not having any fun having success. That is sad. As Lou Holtz said about Bama/Nick…when winning is just relief and losing is a complete meltdown then you need to address your priorities a little. Bama is a better team than both A&M and LSU but we played not to lose instead of playing to attack and win.
ESPN and some others have this Brown thing in the media so Nick will need to address since recruits will be asking as prompted by other college coaches. Bama is on the verge of hitting another homerun with the current class. Nick has about 5 more years before the recruits will hear that Nick will not be their coach for they’re entire stay at Bama just like Coach Bryant did his last years.
Fleischman in Chi Towns Bed
December 11th, 2012
11:19 am
JB.. can u comment on Aaron Murray’s outstanding performance at the end of the SEC Championship???? One word please !
JB
December 11th, 2012
11:19 am
Bringbackmikeshula.com
Deacon Blues
December 11th, 2012
11:20 am
Sux to be a Dawg fan!!!!
BartBuzz
December 11th, 2012
11:20 am
Don’t care.
Fleischman in Chi Towns Bed
December 11th, 2012
11:21 am
JB too stupid to respond. Probably a SPED
GTBob
December 11th, 2012
11:22 am
I don’t really see why he would stay at Alabama. He is about to win his 3rd NC in the last 4 years. He has nothing left to prove. He has conquered the college game and made other SEC coaches look like peons in the process.
23 SEC Titles
December 11th, 2012
11:22 am
Hey Jawja, got 23 lol? Hill no and not in your lifetime or grandkids lifetime will Jawja surpass Alabama in any level of success on the college football field. FACT, but at least you can still say
CMR has a winning record vs the CT.
Wilson Pickett
December 11th, 2012
11:23 am
If UGA were a stock you then you would buy at the true worth and sell at what you people believe your worth. 1980 and that trophy is very dusty. Have a great day. Orlando is a decent town just don’t get lost.
JB
December 11th, 2012
11:23 am
All jokes aside…..Saban IS good for the SEC. You as Bama fans have to know two things about Saban……Facts…..He has NEVER stayed anywhere long…..And has an ego as big as Texas………………And ya’ll will beat ND, and he may feel like ” what else can I do for you”…..
That stint in Miami is in his craw….and that ego and 10 mil per year may be more than he can turn down…..As a Dawg fan, I hope he stays…..All this is just fun as the edge you guys live on.
Deacon Blues
December 11th, 2012
11:26 am
Jerry Jones offered him a 5 year, $43 mm deal last year that he turned down because he & his wife want to retire after Bama. So now he’s going to take a job @ one of the worst franchises in the NFL? AJC Sports Department is about as stupid as they come!
Quinton Dial
December 11th, 2012
11:26 am
I OWN Aaron Murray and all you mutt fans.
Still made about my hit on that wimpy white boy?
I took it easy on him.
Enjoy losing again in Orlando, leghumpers.
Quinton Dial
December 11th, 2012
11:28 am
Quit crying in your Natural Light beers, Winder rednecks.
Was a clean hit and I enjoyed it.
Almost knocked the spray tan right off St Richts face.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!
MIKE QUINN
December 11th, 2012
11:30 am
WELL GEORGIA FAMS. WE KNOW YOU WOULD LOVE FOR SABAN TO LEAVE. BAMA WOULDN’T WANT MARK CAUSE HE CAN’T WIN BIG GAMES. SO YA’LL WOULD ALWAYS BE THE WANNA BE WINNERS. SO JUST STAY IN THE DOG HOUSE WHERE YOU BELONG.
Alabama is a crappy place
December 11th, 2012
11:30 am
BTW, I’m not a Georgia fan, I just think Alabama is a crappy place and once Saban leaves, you’ll have nothing to live for.
JB
December 11th, 2012
11:31 am
Deacon………The original story came out of the Boston Globe……And the only thing constant in life is change. Between Stallings and Saban, Bama was us. Hell, we even beat you guys during that time. Relax, enjoy your success, enjoy another title……but 9-3 and Orlando is in your future also.
Eddie Lacy/TJ Yeldon
December 11th, 2012
11:31 am
We just ran for another First down. Where is that Jarvis Jones fella? He inactive?
Hilly
December 11th, 2012
11:32 am
@Alabama is a crappy place.. what do u have to live for? your fat wife?
Wilson Pickett
December 11th, 2012
11:33 am
@JB…I C you having some fun at the expense of us rednecks in Bama. Nick has made 30 millin at Bama in the past 6 years so how much money does he need. Fact is Nick is just another redneck from West Virginia that doesn’t burn couches.Asked what he enjoys and he mentioned playing air guitar on his pontoon boat…LOL..Roll Tide….note Bama will struggle to beat ND …if they actually do.
Fleischman in Chi Towns Bed
December 11th, 2012
11:35 am
JB.. i can see into your future…. your still a douche.
CAG
December 11th, 2012
11:43 am
There aren’t too many Head Coaching jobs in College Football that are better than NFL gigs, but there are some and Alabama is one of them. I get the connections that Saban has with Lombardi, but why on earth would Saban leave one of the most prestigious coaching jobs in America for CLEVELAND?? He’s already creating a dynasty.
Starving Alabama Teacher
December 11th, 2012
11:43 am
Teachers in Alabama haven’t had a raise in 5 years. Last year they were given a 2 1/2 percent pay cut. The uneducated rednecks of this state base their entire self esteem on Alabama’s football record. There is nothing else to be proud of. Its a wasteland of trailer parks and Camaros.
billyho55
December 11th, 2012
11:48 am
TRICKY NICKY WILL BREAK EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. OF. YOUR. HEARTS! IT IS BOUND TO HAPPEN! BOOK IT!
bldvl89
December 11th, 2012
11:49 am
Dumb move for the Browns if it happens, though it’d be par for the course. The average lifespan of a Browns’ head coach and front office since the NFL awarded them this sorry excuse of an expansion franchise is 2.7 years (Holmgren lasted 2.5). The Browns are actually starting to look good under Shurmur (three game winning streak – longer than the Falcs if you can believe that) with big pieces Holmgren brought in this year’s draft (offense – T-Rich, Weeden, Schwartz at RT, Josh Gordon) and last year’s draft (defense: Jabaal Sheard, Phil Taylor, Buster Skrine) – and now the Browns are going to wipe all that away and make these kids start over.
Nicktator already had his shot in the NFL and screwed the pooch in almost Petrinoesque fashion. He’s a great college coach and should just stay where he’s is (how many guys have had egos big enough for them to think they could hack it in the pros, only to get chewed up and spit back out? Nictator, Spurrier, Petrino, in basketball Pitino, Calipari . . . )
And Jimmy Haslem shouldn’t be so short sighted already. Enough turnover already – although the biggest problem with Haslem is he’s spent the last several years being a minority owner of the Steelers and not having any clue about how bad all this constant turnover with the Browns actually has been.
Anyway, just say no to the Nictator – he is not cut out for the NFL.
Eddie Lacy/TJ Yeldon
December 11th, 2012
11:49 am
will anyone ever tackle us ?
#1 Fan
December 11th, 2012
11:50 am
I’m going to send Coach Saban a nice little note for Christmas: “Dear Coach Saban, Please don’t leave Alabama. Love, Your #1 Fan.” With a copy of Stephen King’s Misery, of course.
beone
December 11th, 2012
11:51 am
Saban can’t handle the NFL. Men don’t put up with his approach, just boys too young to know better.