Nick Saban: Miami Dolphins tenure was most important moment in career

Over the course of his legendary coaching career, Nick Saban has seen it all, but his most important moment, according to the seven-time national champion himself, might surprise the masses.

During an appearance on the latest episode of The Pivot Podcast, Saban answered some fascinating questions regarding decisions that have shaped his career and his life as a whole. Evidently, Saban views his two seasons in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins as more pivotal than anything else, because it re-shaped his world-view.

“From a coaching standpoint, probably, for me, was leaving LSU, going to Miami, finding out that about myself, because I always thought that being a head coach in the NFL was the ultimate goal that I had,” Saban stated, regarding the biggest turning point in his life and more specifically his coaching career. “That was it. That’s what I wanted to do,. When I did it, and because we couldn’t control the variables — you’ve got a salary cap. We’re $17 million over. We’ve got the oldest team in the league. You’ve got no draft picks, because you gave them all away for Ricky Williams. So, it’s like, how are you going to build this team? You’ve got no quarterback. But it was a challenge, and we made it better, but again, I felt like we couldn’t control the variables.

“So, I went back to college. From a professional standpoint, that was probably the biggest turning point, for me. And then I was satisfied, to be at a place for 17 years. Which, I was never satisfied before, because it was always, ‘Climb the ladder,’ and I was satisfied to be at that place. That was really good, and different in a way, and then financially, getting in business, having the Mercedes dealerships and all that.”

Without Saban’s trip to the NFL, perhaps he would’ve remained in Baton Rouge for the rest of his coaching career. Instead, his time with the Dolphins led him to Tuscaloosa, where he’s made an incredible life and had tremendous success with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

It may not have been the obvious answer when looking at Saban’s coaching career, but when you truly think about it, there was no more pivotal decision, perhaps in college football as a whole — ever.

It may grind the gears of Dolphins fans, but Alabama faithful should have a ton of love for the Miami-based NFL franchise for leading their coach to their program. Hard to argue with Nick Saban’s sentiment when you put it in those terms.