NCAA Football: 5 most valuable college coaches

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Jul 17, 2014; Hoover, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban talks to the media during the SEC football media days at the Wynfrey Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

1.) Nick Saban, Alabama

Age: 62
Salary: 6.9 million

Nick Saban is the best coach in football, it doesn’t matter if you like him or not — he just is.

LSU fans will be quick to point out he’s disloyal. And Saban did lie to a lot of people’s faces in the lead-up to him accepting the Miami Dolphins job. But he also won LSU a national title. Dolphins fans will be quick to point out he’s disloyal. And Saban did lie to a lot of people’s faces in the lead-up to him accepting the Alabama job. But Saban also took over an aging 4-12 team in Miami and went 9-7 with Gus Frerotte as his quarterback the first year.

Really the only bad coaching decision the man has ever made wasn’t actually a coaching decision. He decided to trade for Daunte Culpepper instead of signing Drew Brees before his second season in Miami (a decision he made based on bad medical information).

Other than that, all he does is win.

Since arriving at Alabama, Saban seems to have settled down — with the possible exception of another foray into the NFL — it looks like he’s happy in Tuscaloosa. Of course that won’t stop rumors. It seems like every time the Cleveland Browns need to hire a coach (which is once an off-season) they kick the tires on Saban. Before hiring Charlie Strong, Texas was rumored to be inquiring about Saban.

But frankly, if the worst thing anyone can say about your school’s head coach is that they might leave some day — you’re in good shape. And that’s about the only criticism one can level at Saban (that, and he’s a bit of an ass). Other than that, the man recruits with the best of them, he turns out great pro prospects, he wins national titles and he urinates excellence (allegedly).

Alabama hired Saban to revitalize their program and he has delivered beyond anyone’s wildest expectations. In just Saban’s second season the Tide were 12-2 and in the Sugar Bowl. Since then they have won three of the past five national championships.

Right now Alabama is the unquestioned alpha dog in the SEC. And Saban is the king of college football.

And like it or not, as long as Saban is at Alabama, the Tide will always be a favorite to win the SEC, will always be a favorite when it comes to the top recruits and they will always be in the national title hunt.

Nick Saban is the most valuable coach in college football.

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