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
Big Crimson 75
December 11th, 2012
2:06 pm
Lex — pitino wasn’t a bad coach in NY.
Terrible in bean-town, however, he did give us the “their not walking trough that door” quip!!
Ono
December 11th, 2012
2:11 pm
the other 13 SEC coaches, tired of saban beatdowns, are getting together a prayer chain to get saban to the browns—appealing to a higher power may work.
Birmingham Jacket
December 11th, 2012
2:12 pm
Sound like ole’ Joel Provano either a big UGA or Auburn fan, with lofty wishes!
Don’t see it happening. BAMA can and will match any offer from the Cleveland Browns.
Saban is more of a college guy, and has the best job in CFB.
JB
December 11th, 2012
2:20 pm
Ono………….Summlin At A&M missed the meeting I believe.
Stiffneck
December 11th, 2012
2:22 pm
Why in the world would anyone want to go to Cleveland??
Dainger Dawg
December 11th, 2012
2:27 pm
Why the hell would anyone stay in Tuscaloosa…
7576DAWG
December 11th, 2012
2:36 pm
This may not be just rumor. Smart turned down some very lucrative offers to stay at Alabama and was probably told he is” Head Coach In Waiting”. That would answer why Smart was not interested in some very good SEC openings. Saban would go for 8 to 10 million a year and the Cleveland owner would pay it. Smart would sign a 4 to 6 million for 5 years at Alabama.
Some Georgia fans won’t acknowledge how great of a coach Saban is because of Jealousy but not me. I will pitch in my fair share if Cleveland needs help paying his salary.
Columbus
December 11th, 2012
2:38 pm
Saban never has stayed anywhere too long and if he ever wants the NFL challenge, its got to be soon and coaching at the college with the most NC’s under their belt who always get great recruiting classes and being the best coach, well lets just say that isnt much of a challenge and not impressive as if say he was coaching at a 2nd tier school and doing the same job like Spurrier is trying to do at SC. Saban is about due to move on based on his history and lets face it, it isnt much of a challengs at Bama for him. It couldnt be EASIER actually. Go to Kentucky or Ole Miss and do it. Thats a challenge. Its like shooting fish in a barrel when your the best coach by far and coaching at the school with the most storied history. I hope he moves on so there will be a LEVEL playing field for the rest of the colleges. Lets see what you can do in the NFL Nicko……
Sorry Bama fans. At least you get to give Kirby his first head coaching shot…..hope its not another Mike Shula fiasco!
Bammer
December 11th, 2012
2:39 pm
4 AP All-Americans for the TIDE…even though this was Bama’s reloading year.
And congrats to Jarvis Jones…your fans are crap but you are a great player and person.
Bammer
December 11th, 2012
2:41 pm
Columbus…just curious…how long does Saban have to stay at Bama before “hasn’t stayed anywhere too long” doesn’t apply anymore? 20? 30 years?
Or, he could go to UGA and do it. Now THAT’S a challenge!
OldFan
December 11th, 2012
2:42 pm
Alabama fans are naive. Let me help you with this: Do you think Nick Saban has The University of Alabama stamped on the front of his head? Or LSU? Or The Miami Dolphins? No. He has Nick Saban stamped on there. And when he gets ready to go, he will dust you like you’ve never seen before. Just ask Don Shula. He will tell you that he was publicly stating his desire to be with the Dolphins for a long time while his agent was secretly negotiating a contract with Bama. His word means nothing. It’s all about “Nick”, not Bama or anybody else. When he leaves you will not know what hit you..sort of like that tornado that came through in 2010. And $$ is not the thing that will keep him. Sorry.
Bammer
December 11th, 2012
2:43 pm
Nice to mention the tornado OldFan. You are pure f’ing trash. Hopefully you’re old enough that you die soon.
JB
December 11th, 2012
2:47 pm
Bammer……….and calling all Georgia fans ” crap” make you____________ fill in the blank.
Bammer
December 11th, 2012
2:49 pm
Nice that you equate those two things JB. And out of all the douche UGA fans…you are one of the top. Go F yourself…or maybe give us another of your ever-so-witty trailer park, sister lovin, no teeth jokes. You are SO original simpleton.
OldFan
December 11th, 2012
2:50 pm
Bammer…..it is what it is, queer bait.
JB
December 11th, 2012
2:50 pm
Would like to see just ONE Bama fan come on here and Say…..We have enjoyed having Saban as our coach. We hope he stays here till he retires. If not, he left the Bama program a lot better than he found it, and we as fans have enjoyed every minute of it……………………………But no, go back and read all this today, and you see what can’t be bought……………A little class.
Bammer
December 11th, 2012
2:52 pm
Go suck one OldFan…just remember to take your dentures out first.
Better get down to the cafeteria…they’re playing Cocoon again which means the tapioca will run out fast!
JB
December 11th, 2012
2:54 pm
Bammer….you give those in Alabama with more than a high degree a bad name. Go get some air son. We got bigger problems than Bama football in this world.
OldFan
December 11th, 2012
2:55 pm
Bammer….do you have a secret fantasy for Little Nick?? Want to keep him around, huh?? LOL…
JB
December 11th, 2012
2:57 pm
OLdFan…………………He probably has a tree poisoning book under his bed…..Geez. wrapped pretty tight.
OldFan
December 11th, 2012
2:58 pm
JB….I agree wholeheartedly. Some of these Bammers actually fondle themselves over this guy.
Nicholas Lou "Nick" Saban
December 11th, 2012
2:59 pm
JUST BROKE ON ESPN NEWS PEOPLE. HE’S GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bammer
December 11th, 2012
3:01 pm
A couple of scraggly trees poisoned or 33 people who died and a community destroyed. I’m actually glad that you two are on here this afternoon because you keep solidifying my belief that UGA fans are crap stains on a mattress with over-inflated opinions of themselves.
JB
December 11th, 2012
3:03 pm
Tornado an act of God…..Killing 100 year old trees over a frigging football game is stupidity. Big Difference sport.
Bammer
December 11th, 2012
3:04 pm
No…YOU are the definition of stupidity.
285exp
December 11th, 2012
3:05 pm
JB,
Several Bama fans have said just that, that we hope he stays, that we appreciate what he’s done, and when he does go we will thank him for it and move on. Read the comments of your fellow Georgia fans if you want to talk about classless. Include your own.
OldFan
December 11th, 2012
3:07 pm
Well said….JB.
JB
December 11th, 2012
3:07 pm
99% of Bama fans would walk away from you over your little rant here this afternoon. We will accept you as an exception and not the rule of Bama fans…….Even the other Bama posters have left. pretty embarrassing.
Bammer
December 11th, 2012
3:09 pm
My rant? You mean where I said you people were trash for your little tornado post? I guess I should leave so JB and OldFan can have their little circle-jerk to themselves.
DawginLex
December 11th, 2012
3:11 pm
You boys need to re-define classless. I have tried to contribute to the discussion.
Instead I get called names.
I could care less what Saban does.
JB
December 11th, 2012
3:13 pm
The hoping people die and sexual comments will hopefully will get you banned soon mr. Bammer.
Bammer
December 11th, 2012
3:13 pm
Not calling you out Lex…I don’t consider you a bad egg since you only toss out the crap when you’ve been dished it. JB and a couple of the others here make me want to vomit though.
DawginLex
December 11th, 2012
3:13 pm
Banned?
They still do that on these blogs?
Nah. No one has the guts to do it
Bammer
December 11th, 2012
3:14 pm
JB…go back and look at the progression of the posts and who said what. I know how you are though so please go verrrry slowly when you do it.
DawginLex
December 11th, 2012
3:15 pm
I hated Saban but I have come to appreciate him as a straight shooter. He calls it like he sees it. He KNOWS he was lucky to win and after Bama rapes ND, everyone will realize just how good we were.
JB
December 11th, 2012
3:15 pm
And what do you make us want to do Bammer……Have you over for a beer? You are one very immature person. Really.
DC
December 11th, 2012
3:17 pm
The writer of this article sure knows how to get the hopes of envious ‘Bama haters up. The Crimson Tide coach and staff prepare the players to always play at a high level and instills in them to always expect to win. Alabama football is and has always been a winner. They are highly recognized as a very successful top tier program and there is nothing the haters can do about it.
Roll Tide!
DawginLex
December 11th, 2012
3:18 pm
DC
If Saban leaves, who will be on the interview list?
I personally don’t think he is leaving but just curious.
I can’t see Kirby being ready for that yet. My $.02
obamataxesagain
December 11th, 2012
3:32 pm
Saban was a loser in the NFL. There is no underground pay system in the pros like there is a bama.When Saban has an even playing field when it comes to talent he is average at best.
J Meredith
December 11th, 2012
3:43 pm
HAHAHAHA!!! Keep wishin’ Bulldog fans. Your best chance is when and if the fire Richt Ga can somehow get Saban.
Gator Mike
December 11th, 2012
3:48 pm
Caution to BAMA Fans on this one. Saban used the same b.s. lines at Michigan State and LSU.
We Gators never thought Spurrier would leave UF. We were also naive enough to think Meyer was telling the truth when he used his head case family excuse when he left UF.
These guys are all basically unpredictable. UGA Fans should be happy that you have a greaqt coach who is an honorable person. Ironically, we have a DAWG coaching UF these days and we really like him.
JB
December 11th, 2012
3:48 pm
Don’t think you would find many Georgia fans that would not agree that Nick Saban to this date in history is the best college football coach ever. The problem comes from the attitude of ” If you ain’t Bama, you ain’t crap……I’m old enough to remember all the years Bama wasn’t good. I’m also old enough to read and know all the trouble the Bama program has been in. That doesn’t take away what this regime under Saban has done…..But please……
DawginLex
December 11th, 2012
3:48 pm
Nah j meredith. We will just keep winning and get back to the Dome and play for 1 more play and win straight up
You really think Richt is scared of Bama?
He is not
Gator Mike
December 11th, 2012
4:09 pm
DawginLex: I agree with you that Richt is not scared of BAMA. Nor is Miles, Spurrier, Muschamp,Sumlin, Franklin and Mullen. I don’t know about the rest because most of them are new.
Jane Whisenant
December 11th, 2012
4:10 pm
I am a HUGE BAMA fan and this is hilarious…..who starts these rumors????
JB
December 11th, 2012
4:14 pm
Jane……Boston Globe…….
LakeDawg
December 11th, 2012
4:15 pm
The Crimson Necks are sweating silver bullets and budweiser. LMAO Hey, Cheesedick is available.
Whiskey Breath
December 11th, 2012
4:18 pm
Have any of you dumb mutts ever been to Cleveland? It might be the coldest dump in the nation.
With all due respect to Detroit, Cleveland is probably worst.
People in Cleveland think about one thing, moving to Florida. Couple that with Cleveland being a career killer, and Tuscaloosa is paradise. Also, he really only answers to his wife Terri. She loves TTown and everybody loves her.
Keep dreaming underacheivers.
So go ahead and wish it dumb dogs, I am always right.
Left Coast Dawg
December 11th, 2012
4:22 pm
I posted this about a month ago……guess my source isn’t as reliable as the AJC’s.
Left Coast Dawg
December 11th, 2012
4:23 pm
Hey Whiskey, I can hear you shaking in your boots with the thought that you’re about to lose your emperor.