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?

420 comments Add your comment

OkieDawg

December 11th, 2012
4:26 pm

Kirby Smart had an opportunity to go to 3 of the top 7 jobs in the SEC. The top seven, realizing they rotate spots within the decades, are Tennessee, Auburn, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Alabama and nowTexas A&M. So he turns down Tennessee, Arkansas and Auburn. Why? Because after the SEC Championship, Saban announces he is going to the Browns and Smart will be named the HC at Alabama. Smart is 36 and is primed for a head coaching job.

Saban is headed to “The Mistake on the Lake”.

Dan

December 11th, 2012
4:28 pm

Reading these comments to funny! Like yall believe like Saban has some kind of loyalty to Alabama? Cleveland will show him the money and out the door he will go….count on it!

NCDAWG

December 11th, 2012
4:29 pm

For all you Bammers that think that all UGA fans want Saban to leave because you think we will never beat you while he is there… get real. One fluke play is all that separates the 2 teams. Sure you did what you do best and ran the ball really well but face the cold hard truth… you were a fluke paly away from a loss. We can and we will beat Saban… if he stick around.
I heard an interview with his wife on ESPN radio from a local Birmingham radio show and she said that winning is no longer a joy for Nick Saban. He has to keep up with the expectations now… he is EXPECTED to win now. Anything less is not good enough. The man loves the challenge of building the program but no one can enjoy that kind of INSANE expectations. He’ll either retire soon or go to the NFL because of it.

Useless Bums

December 11th, 2012
4:31 pm

Whiskey Breath,

Have any of you dumb Bammers ever been across the state line? Tuscaloosa is paradise? I almost spit up my coffee laughing at that one. You are the true definition of a ‘tard. I would not hazard to call you an underachiever as you are at the station in life in which you belong.

Under The Bleachers

December 11th, 2012
4:38 pm

In a radio interview earlier today with CBS Cleveland’s Baskin & Phelps, NFL Analyst Michael Lombardi dismisses the rumor that he is next in line to be the Browns’ General Manager.
“I haven’t talked to anyone” about the job, he says.

He then goes on to debunk the whole notion that Nick Saban would entertain the idea of returning to the NFL, with him or with anyone else.

Embed removed due to pesky autostart
Download this Media File – (Right Click)

In another radio interview (still looking for a podcast), Lombardi was asked by 1310 The Ticket in Dallas about the rumor. Paraphrasing, Lombardi said “I will not be the Browns GM” and went on to say almost the same thing he told Baskin & Phelps about Saban:

I know Nick well and consider him a friend and have great respect for him. His decision to not sign Drew Brees was why he was not successful in the NFL. That said, he has done a great job at Alabama and I know he is happy there .I can’t speak for Nick but I don’t think he would be looking to leave for the NFL.”

It was also addressed by Nick’s wife Terry in an interview on the Smashmouth Radio show in Birmingham.

“To answer your question and get right to the point, no. We’re very comfortable here. We love it here. It’s a great fit for our family. It’s a good fit for me. As far as we’re concerned, this is where we’ll retire someday.

“As far as jobs go, this is it for us. I don’t mean to be presumptuous. I would have to talk this over with Nick, but as far as I’m concerned, this is it.”

Per ” Ibleedcrimsonred.com”

As for the person stating that Nick’s Lake Burton house is for sale, please look again, that is a house he and a developer built together for the purpose of selling.

Once again many many across the SEC, ACC are hoping and praying Nick Saban leaves Alabama so they may have a bigger chance to win games that Alabama and Nick Saban keep from them.

OkieDawg

December 11th, 2012
4:42 pm

The Crimson Tide is the ONLY thing in Alabama another state would want to have. No other state would take your your obesity rate, your education system, your health care system, your high school drop-out rate, your illiteracy rate, your poverty rate, your median income rate, your politicians, etc…etc. So Bammers, proudly proclaim Roll Tide.

DawginLex

December 11th, 2012
4:42 pm

“Tuscaloosa is paradise”

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!

STOP IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

YOU’RE KILLING ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

diamonddaveincali

December 11th, 2012
4:44 pm

note to all those sex offender bama fans! Saban will leave for the money, as he already did it once before. He left MSU to go to LSU, then he won at LSU, and LEFT LSU go back to the nfl in MIAMI.

SATAN will do it again. Heck he can always come back to BAMA, it opens a spot for kirby.

Under The Bleachers

December 11th, 2012
4:46 pm

NCDAWG

December 11th, 2012
4:29 pm
For all you Bammers that think that all UGA fans want Saban to leave because you think we will never beat you while he is there… get real. One fluke play is all that separates the 2 teams. Sure you did what you do best and ran the ball really well but face the cold hard truth… you were a fluke paly away from a loss. We can and we will beat Saban… if he stick around.
I heard an interview with his wife on ESPN radio from a local Birmingham radio show and she said that winning is no longer a joy for Nick Saban. He has to keep up with the expectations now… he is EXPECTED to win now. Anything less is not good enough. The man loves the challenge of building the program but no one can enjoy that kind of INSANE expectations. He’ll either retire soon or go to the NFL because of it.

———————————————-

No Disrespect NC Dawg, UGA played a great game, but look at the real story, UGA was playing its best football in over 5 years when they lined up to play Alabama in the SECCG, give all the respect to UGA, the coaches and players, while Alabama lined up playing some of their most average football all year. UGA is loaded with NFL talent on Defense, many many up to 9 who will be in the NFL on Sundays next year, Alabama will lose their O-Line but are 3 deep at that position, and are talent laden deep at every position with QB being their weakest in depth. Alabama will reload and UGA will regroup, they may be back in the SECCG, I have all the respect for UGA and their program, but today there is more of a difference between the programs than just talent, and UGA may be closing the gap but it will take a few more step to get to that level.

GFY

December 11th, 2012
4:47 pm

If Tuscaloosa is paradise there is truly no hope for Whiskey Breath. Maybe too much whiskey forced those keystrokes from his/her/its inebriated brain.

Redcoat

December 11th, 2012
4:47 pm

He couldn’t hack it in the NFL as HC…….never will leave….

Tom

December 11th, 2012
4:48 pm

Nick will never leave Toledo, Michigan St, LSU, Miami, yada, yada, yada . . .

Under The Bleachers

December 11th, 2012
4:50 pm

Alabama’s high school graduation rate ranks it 40th among the states, but education leaders say they are aiming to make it among the nation’s best by 2020.

The U.S. Department of Education released new state graduation rates that put Alabama at 72 percent for the 2010-2011 school year. That’s better than neighboring Florida and Georgia, but lower than Mississippi and Tennessee.

Iowa led the country at 88 percent, while the District of Columbia rated lowest at 59 percent. Among Alabama’s neighboring states, Tennessee had one of the highest rates in the country at 86 percent. Mississippi measured 75 percent, Florida, 71 percent, and Georgia, 67 percent.

This is in response to:OkieDawg

December 11th, 2012
4:42 pm
The Crimson Tide is the ONLY thing in Alabama another state would want to have. No other state would take your your obesity rate, your education system, your health care system, your high school drop-out rate, your illiteracy rate, your poverty rate, your median income rate, your politicians, etc…etc. So Bammers, proudly proclaim Roll Tide.

ZMONEY

December 11th, 2012
4:54 pm

this is from the dawg nation , we don’t give a damn what the mother********* does.!!!!

Whiskey Breath

December 11th, 2012
4:54 pm

Richt is scared of a lot of people. Proof is his out of conference scheduling. Which one of those cupcake teams have actually ever been worth a crap? And yes, he does pick those cream puffs.

Fat Drunk Georgia Fans

December 11th, 2012
5:00 pm

Georgia and Louisiana are tied for 49th and rank last this year. These 2 states have been in the bottom 3 states since the 1990 Edition.

Georgia ranks well for a low prevalence of binge drinking and a low violent crime rate. It ranks in the bottom 8 states on 12 of the 24 measures including a high prevalence of obesity, a high prevalence of a sedentary lifestyle, a low high school graduation rate, limited availability of primary care physicians, a high prevalence of low birthweight infants, and a high prevalence of diabetes. Georgiai ranks 46th for all health determinants combined, so its overall ranking is unlikely to change significantly in the near future. Outside of the Atlanta, and Augusta Regional Areas the State of Georgia is rated as one of the lowest in terms of Health Care Overall.

Louisiana ranks well for a low prevalence of binge drinking and a high rate of childhood immunizations. It ranks in the bottom 5 states on 13 of the 24 measures including a high prevalence of obesity, a high rate of children in poverty, a high rate of low birthweight infants, a high prevalence of diabetes, and a high rate of cardiovascular and cancer deaths.

From America Health Rankings.com

OkieDawg

December 11th, 2012
5:02 pm

In 2013, what SEC school plays the Colorado Sate Rams, the Georgia State Panthers and the Chattanooga Mocs as out of conference foes?

Fat Drunk Georgia Fans

December 11th, 2012
5:13 pm

Okie Dawg,

The same school that beat UGA in the SECCG, the same school that is playing in the BCS CG, the same school that opens up with Virginia Tech, the same school that has won 3 NC since UGA won their last one…in 1980.

Give it a rest…

Athensdawg

December 11th, 2012
5:16 pm

Whiskey Breath, lets see in the past ten years Georgia has played Clemson, Oklahoma St. Arizona St. all home and away, Boise St twice, Georgia Tech every year. Now Name the teams you team has played. Also name any top fifty team that does not play at least one or two so called cupcakes?

Edawg

December 11th, 2012
5:22 pm

He won’t go he can’t be successful in nfl.

Fat Drunk Georgia Fans

December 11th, 2012
5:32 pm

Michigan Wolverines
Penn St ( two times)
Oklahoma ( two times)
Virginia Tech
Clemson
Florida St.
The last 10 years…

No

December 11th, 2012
5:33 pm

The “giant suckin’ sound” begins in Tuscaloosa. Who wants to wager? Harvey goes to prison first or Saban leaves first? Hope they didn’t plant that little Nick statue in concrete.

JB

December 11th, 2012
5:56 pm

This Dawg fan thinks Saban is good for the SEC…A&M beat them. LSU last year. Dawgs played them to the wire. Good. Yes. Unbeatable. No. Will be good every year with Saban there. I wouldn’t as a Bama fan think that he will be there for ever. See ALL championship coach’s in ANY sport, pro or college. When there is nowhere to go but down…..Look out. See Phil Jackson with the Bulls. Sprurrier with the Gators. Don’t try to get in a successful guys head.

rhettt

December 11th, 2012
6:20 pm

Say what you will boys and girls. A coach like Nick Saban comes along once in a generation. He understands the pinnacle he has reached and also understands the pro athlete has difficulty listening to coaching and improving. A player making 18 mil a year listening to a straight shooter coach, who is well versed in what each position should strive for, baloney. But take a five star recruit, who wants to play on Sundays, Saban will get his attention and keep it regularly, that means day in and day out.

Sabanrocks15

December 11th, 2012
6:27 pm

12-12-12 this and Hell freezing over if he leaves Alabama…..Why to live in Cleveland.???… Terry needs to buy a gun!!!! and Parka! burrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr…….

jonkdawg

December 11th, 2012
6:28 pm

Hahaha i am right all along that Dick Satan is going to Nfl after this year.it seems to me that the satan nick is done with Alabearma. But he might, just say might…changes his mind.

DREAM ON

December 11th, 2012
6:30 pm

SABAN WILL NEVER WIN 6 NC DREAM OWN YOU STUPID ALABAMA FANS. ND WILL BE THEM IN THE NC GAME!!!!!

DREAM ON

December 11th, 2012
6:31 pm

ND 2013 CHAMPIONS

jonkdawg

December 11th, 2012
6:32 pm

When you are doing something right, somebody is gonna hire you with a load of money to work for them, good written mate!!!

jonkdawg

December 11th, 2012
6:33 pm

Dream On!! I like that perdy murch.

DREAM ON

December 11th, 2012
6:33 pm

HE IS LEAVING BECAUSE HE IS LOSING POWER IN SEC. TEXAS A&M BEAT HIM AND GEORGIA EXPOSED THEM AND SHUOLD HAVE BEAT THEM. ALABAMA CLOWNS GOING DOWN. HE WILL BAIL OUT!!

jonkdawg

December 11th, 2012
6:34 pm

I am Pulllling for ND….

DREAM ON

December 11th, 2012
6:35 pm

ELEPHANTS REMEMBER I TOLD YOU SO!!!! GOING DOWN,DOWN DOWN!!!!! ALABAMA THE TIDE IS LOSING POWER. TEXAS A&M WILL WIN SEC WEST NEXT YEAR.

jonkdawg

December 11th, 2012
6:36 pm

Keep talking …u hit it right on the G spot.

ggp

December 11th, 2012
6:36 pm

A Georgian laughing at Alabama, for its educational system, is like a slum dweller laughing at his neighbors because they have to drink out of plastic 7-11 cups at dinner.

DREAM ON

December 11th, 2012
6:37 pm

TEXAS A&M BEAT THEM,DOGS EXPOSED THEM!!!!!

silver britches

December 11th, 2012
6:37 pm

some coaches coach men. some coaches coach boys. why do you think Saban went back to college?

DREAM ON

December 11th, 2012
6:40 pm

SABAN IS LIKE URBAN CRYER, I MEAN MEYER. HE WILL BAIL OUT WHEN HE SEE,S THE WRITING WEAKNESS BY ALABAMA ON THE WALL. HE IS GONE!!!! CRY OWN

DREAM ON

December 11th, 2012
6:43 pm

HIS DOMINATING IS OVER!!! HE IS BAILING!!! EVERY ONE ELSE IS RECRUITING WITH AND ABOVE HIM ALSO. EVERY ONE ELSE IS GETTING JUCO PLAYERS TOO!!! SO LONG SABAN,KNEW IT WOULD NOT BE LONG!!!

GENE

December 11th, 2012
6:43 pm

Alabama has a dept. of Transportation and Education. Does Georgia have a dept. of Water? They are always trying to steal water from TN, AL, and FL for the city of Atlanta.

jonkdawg

December 11th, 2012
6:44 pm

I am at fishing pond right now to get cuppo fishes with android..and just can’t stop laughing Roll turd fans, just thinking about back in 90s win less without Dick…deja vous all over again.

DREAM ON

December 11th, 2012
6:45 pm

JUST ASK LSU,BAMA. HE IS GONE AND YOU ARE LEFT HOLDING THE BAG. DIRTY TACTICS WITH PLAYERS HAVE CAUGHTUP WITH HIM ALSO. OR SHOULD I SAY NOT BEING A MAN OF HIS WORD. ASK THE RUNNING BACK THAT WENT TO KENTUCKY THEY HE PULLED HIS OFFER BECAUSE HE WAS INJURED. DIRTY DIRTY DIRTY SATAN!!!!

DREAM ON

December 11th, 2012
6:47 pm

AND YOU CAN BASK SO LONG,BAMERS YOUR TIME IS OVER!!!

jonkdawg

December 11th, 2012
6:48 pm

Woeee Whattha hellll! Ga has lake lanier, Al has to take us to Court for the water we have, drought every year because
Alabama has to beg for it, we got the ball on our court son!

DREAM ON

December 11th, 2012
6:50 pm

YOU BAMMER FANS ARE A LOT MORE DENSE THAN I THOUGHT. I COULD SELL YOU A THREE LEGGED HORSE!!!! AND YOU WOULD THINK HE COULD WIN THE KENTUCKY DERBY. TALK ABOUT STUPID!!! HE IS LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO CLEVELAND!!

DREAM ON

December 11th, 2012
6:51 pm

WHAT YOU THINK jonkdawg???

DREAM ON

December 11th, 2012
6:52 pm

nd 2013 national champions!!!

rhettt

December 11th, 2012
6:52 pm

Dream on – take your caps off – you must have posted endlessly but the only one I, and probably many more have read, is your first post. Show some common courtesy if you want your posts read. Frankly most posters aren’t even going to slow down when you constantly scream your opinions. Beware!

DREAM ON

December 11th, 2012
6:54 pm

satan is bailing!!!

jonkdawg

December 11th, 2012
6:55 pm

To be fair…ND is gonna be NC 2013 I trust in ND defense, i like they way they play period.