Nick Saban through the years

Sports

Nick Saban through the years

Nick Saban is staying put at Alabama, reaching 'a long-term agreement' to remain the Crimson Tide's head football coach.

The agreement quells speculation that Saban would take over at Texas if Mack Brown steps down. Saban, who turned 62 on Oct. 31, has led the Tide to three national championships in the past four years with no signs of fading from annual contention.

The agreement to stay finally ends the speculation of Saban's future at the university - a topic of major debate throughout the country during the past week.

The question didn't seem to be whether Saban wanted to remain at Alabama, it seemed to be whether he will be lured away from Tuscaloosa by a lucrative offer at Texas.

There was one small problem ... the Texas job isn't vacant. Mack Brown is still the coach of the Longhorns, and has been for the last 16 seasons.

But it has been rumored that Brown would leave the post soon - and Saban would be Texas' top choice to replace him. Those rumors will now end ....

.... and Saban can move forward and look to regain supremacy in the SEC West from Gus Malzahn and Auburn. Take a look at Saban through the years and his stops in college and the NFL.

Alabama fans love him because he brought the program back to a championship level. Opposing fans - and some coaches - dislike him because, well .... the Bama program is on a championship level.

Say what you want about Nick Saban, but you can't take away his championships.

His Alabama teams have won three of the last four BCS championships - 2012 over Notre Dame ...

.... 2011 over LSU, after falling to the Tigers during the regular season ....

.... and 2009 over Texas. Oh yeah, Saban also won a BCS title while coaching at LSU.

So, what makes Saban so successful? Some believe its his fiery coaching style and his relentless dedication to detail.

It also helps to have extremely talented players, and this year's squad began the season with seven players on the preseason All-SEC team.

That combination apparently helped Bama in its season opener, a 35-10 victory over Virginia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at the Georgia Dome.

Saban has become a popular figure off the field, here signing autographs while attending SEC football media days in July.

Saban and UGA coach Mark Richt shake hands during a press conference prior to the SEC championship game last December.

The two coaches meet on the field prior to the game, won by Alabama 32-28.

Saban shares a hug and a smile with quarterback A.J. McCarron.

Saban has been known to be somewhat aminated during games, but this was an expression of accomplishment after a victory at Georgia in 2008.

Saban showing sideline animation during his early years at Alabama.

Saban showing sideline animation during his early years at Alabama.

Saban meets the press after accepting the Alabama job in January of 2007, less than two weeks ....

.... after telling the press while coaching the Miami Dolphins that "I'm not going to be the Alabama coach."

Before coaching the Dolphins, Saban coached for five seasons at LSU, winning 48 games ....

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Nick Saban is staying put at Alabama, reaching 'a long-term agreement' to remain the Crimson Tide's head football coach.

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