Will Nick Saban return to the NFL?

By John Buhler | Sep 2, 2015

Jul 15, 2015; Birmingham, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban speaks to ESPN during SEC media day at the Wynfrey Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports /

Nick Saban has had an unbelievable amount of success as a head coach at the college level. Would Saban consider a return to the NFL?

Nick Saban has won four National Championships coaching in the SEC (1 with LSU and 3 with Alabama). Saban recruits like no other collegiate coach, more likely than not having the best recruiting class annually with his Alabama Crimson Tide program. Nick Saban is what we call a perfectionist. Will he grow tired of the College Game and make a return to the NFL?

Next: Ranking The NFL's Top Defenses for 2015

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio argues that Saban is growing tired and frustrated with the University of Alabama and might be positioning himself for a return to the National Football League. After a mediocre two-year stint with the AFC’s Miami Dolphins, Saban returned to the SEC West to take over a down on its luck Alabama Crimson Tide program in 2007. He has since turned ‘Bama into the perennial team to beat in College Football’s deepest conference.

Perhaps its the unreasonable expectations the Alabama program and constituency put on Saban, or it could be that Nick wants another opportunity to at winning at the highest level. Florio argues that if Nick Saban were to go back to the NFL, it would be to an already contending team with its eyes set on a Lombardi Trophy. Are the Indianapolis Colts a potential fit for Nick Saban?

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2015 appears as pressure-packed one for Indianapolis HC Chuck Pagano, as the Colts are a preseason favorite to win the AFC. Franchise QB Andrew Luck is entering his 4th NFL season and Owner Jim Irsay stacked the deck for the Colts to win now. Anything less than another AFC Championship appearance for Indy may lead to Pagano’s exodus.

Could Nick Saban take over a title contending team like Barry Switzer did with the Dallas Cowboys in the 1990’s and push the Colts over the top towards their 3rd Lombardi Trophy? This is all speculation at this point, but Indy might stand as the best fit for Saban if he were to hypothetically return to the NFL in 2016.

For now, Coach Saban will lead the Tide in the always deep SEC West, hoping to win back-to-back Conference Championships and play in the 2nd Annual College Football Playoff. In a job where losing a game is more scrutinized than anywhere else, maybe Saban is at a breaking point with the Birmingham regional media?

Alabama’s SEC schedule is insanely tough this year with the West having 7 teams capable of finishing in the AP Top 25. The Tide also draw #8 Georgia on the road, an improving #25 Tennessee on October 24th, and open 2015 in Dallas against Big Ten West favorite #20 Wisconsin.

Don’t expect Saban to leave from the Alabama program or for Jim Irsay to grow tired of Chuck Pagano is his 4th year leading the Indianapolis Colts. However, don’t expect Nick Saban to put up with undeserved scrutiny from the Alabama media forever. He did bring the Tide three National Titles in four seasons. The NFL may sound like a better option to him if the Tide drop the Iron Bowl to arch rival down on The Plains in the final week of the regular season.

Next: Ranking the NFL's Top Offenses for 2015

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