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The reign of Nick Saban at Alabama is one of the most memorable coaching runs in recent history and will be talked about forever. Saban is often referred to as the greatest college football coach of all time—but he almost never left the Miami Dolphins to become Alabama’s head coach. Before Saban was hired, Rich Rodriguez actually turned down the job.
Rodriguez’s decision to stay at West Virginia turned out to be a massive blessing in disguise for the Crimson Tide. Had he accepted the offer, the legendary success under Saban might never have happened.
"I'm partly responsible for those five national championships because if I had said yes, you wouldn't have had the greatest coach of all time, Nick Saban, winning all those championships,” Rodriguez said in 2020.
Saban retired a little over a year ago, but his career remains unquestioned. His greatness in college football will live on forever—even though he initially turned down the Alabama job multiple times.
“Since late November, Saban had issued frequent, angry public denials of interest in moving to Tuscaloosa. Huizenga said the change of heart wasn't driven by money, and Saban never sought a raise or contract extension,” ESPN wrote in 2007.
Fast forward to today, and Rodriguez still wants his fair share of credit from Alabama fans. Not only that, he thinks the Crimson Tide should go even further—by honoring him with a statue.
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“Where's my trophy in Tuscaloosa? Where's my statue outside there? Because if I had gone there you probably wouldn't have those six national championships,” Rodriguez told Josh Pate.
Rodriguez is probably right—but it was ultimately his decision to stay at West Virginia. He missed out on the chance to turn Alabama into a powerhouse. Instead, Saban did just that—and more. Saban will forever be regarded as the greatest of all time in college football, while Rodriguez is little more than an afterthought.
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