November 1, 2008

What if Nick Saban hadn't said no to Southern Cal?

Imagine this: Nick Saban as head coach of the USC Trojans. It nearly happened.

According to his agent, Jimmy Sexton, Saban was asked to interview for the Southern Cal job in 1997 and -- on the advise of his agent -- turned it down.

During Saban's tenure at Michigan State, he called Sexton with some news. USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett had called Saban to say that he wanted him to coach the Trojans.

This was before USC hired Paul Hackett, the guy it fired after three years to get it right with Pete Carroll.

The way Sexton told it, Saban asked his advice.

"I said, 'Man, you don't want to go to Southern Cal. Nobody wants to send their kids to school in south central LA anymore. I don't see them being a power anymore.'"

So... does Saban ever pine for what might have been in Los Angeles?

Saban likes to remind Sexton of his USC analysis "to this day," Sexton said.

"Every time they're No. 1 or No. 2 or No. 3 in the country, he looks at me and says, 'Jimmy, you still think Southern Cal can't win anymore?'

Of course, USC went on to hire Paul Hackett - which didn't work out so well - who was followed by Pete Carroll. As best I can tell, that Carroll thing looks like it might turn out OK for the Trojans. But can you imagine what the world might have been like if Saban took over USC... in 1997?

Would LSU have won a national championship in 2003? Or in 2007, for that matter? Would USC only have two championships in this decade? Would Alabama be on the verge of a championship game appearance?

Or... a better question to ponder: Who would be more successful at USC - Nick Saban or Pete Carroll?

Posted by Kevin Donahue

Comments:

What if Nick Saban hadn't said no to Southern Cal?
Imagine this: Nick Saban as head coach of the USC Trojans. It nearly happened. According to his agent, Jimmy Sexton, Saban was asked to interview for the Southern Cal job in 1997 and -- on the advise of his agent -- turned it down.
During Saban's tenure at Michigan State, he called Sexton with some news. USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett had called Saban to say that he wanted him to coach the Trojans. This was before USC hired Paul Hackett, the guy it fired after three years to get it right with Pete Carroll. The way Sexton told it, Saban asked his advice. "I said, 'Man, you don't want to go to Southern Cal. Nobody wants to send their kids to school in south central LA anymore. I don't see them being a power anymore.'"
So... does Saban ever pine for what might have been in Los Angeles? Saban likes to remind Sexton of his USC analysis "to this day," Sexton said.
"Every time they're No. 1 or No. 2 or No. 3 in the country, he looks at me and says, 'Jimmy, you still think Southern Cal can't win anymore?'
Of course, USC went on to hire Paul Hackett - which didn't work out so well - who was followed by Pete Carroll. As best I can tell, that Carroll thing looks like it might turn out OK for the Trojans. But can you imagine what the world might have been like if Saban took over USC... in 1997? Would LSU have won a national championship in 2003? Or in 2007, for that matter? Would USC only have two championships in this decade? Would Alabama be on the verge of a championship game appearance? Or... a better question to ponder: Who would be more successful at USC - Nick Saban or Pete Carroll?