Bruce Arians sparks Nick Saban to NFL rumors
While it was reported that Bill Belichick desires to coach the New York Giants next season, another multi-time championship winner also might have eyes on the Big Apple.
Nick Saban to the Giants?
That notion seemingly came out of left field, but former Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said Tuesday in an appearance on Fox Sports that Saban “covets” the Giants job.
When host Colin Cowherd followed up with, “Why the New York Giants?” Arians explained: “Because they’re the New York Giants. When we grew up, they were ‘the thing.'”
There was no word on who Arians’ sources are, and it could be just speculation.
Maybe Arians is just hoping out loud that Saban goes to the NFL because that would protect his mentor Bear Bryant’s record. Arians coached under Bryant at Alabama in the early 1980s and kept a picture of the legendary coach in his office. Bryant won a record six national championships, and Saban just tied that mark earlier this week.
The idea of the Giants having either Belichick or Saban as their next coach seems like a dream to Big Blue fans — and it almost certainly is just that.
Despite reported rifts in the New England organization, Belichick said Monday he “absolutely” plans on coaching the Patriots next season.
Likewise, Saban doesn’t plan on leaving Tuscaloosa anytime soon, according to reports.
“Has Nick Saban reached out to the Giants and said, ‘I’d like to talk to you about your job if you’re still looking for a head coach?’ Not to my knowledge,” one source told the New York Post.
Another told NorthJersey.com, “No way. Not happening.”
One Giants player who has no interest in being coached by Belichick or Saban is safety Landon Collins. The Pro Bowler spent three years under Saban at Alabama and wasn’t a fan of the no-nonsense approach that is the foundation of the two coaches’ styles.
“The way [Belichick] runs his organization, I’ve been through that process [with Saban at Alabama]. I don’t like it,” Collins said. “It’s too strict. … He’s a great winner, he’s a great coach. I don’t know if [his style] is what the organization really wants.
“I talked to guys who played for [Belichick’s] team. They love winning, but at the same time, they don’t want to be on the team.”
If Saban does covet the Giants job, he’s certainly not indicating it with his actions. Shortly after he won his sixth title, he met with several Alabama underclassmen to discuss their futures and whether they want to head to the NFL or return to school.
Saban also said he’s already getting a head start on next season and will be on the recruiting trail shortly. In his words, it’s time for everyone to “move on” to next season if the national champs want to be in the same spot next year.
That certainly sounds like a coach who intends to be back on Alabama’s sideline in 2018, and why wouldn’t he? He just won another title, he has a top-five incoming recruiting class, and he is the odds-on favorite to win the championship again next year.
There are two reasons that come to mind: Saban has already accomplished everything he could accomplish at the college level, and his previous foray into the NFL was less than successful. In two years as coach of the Miami Dolphins, Saban posted a 15-17 record. A return to the pros would give him a chance to prove he can succeed at the highest level.
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