Alabama head coach Nick Saban has commented on rumors of his interest in the University of Texas, telling ESPN’s Tom Rinaldi that he is “totally committed to the University of Alabama,” via Al.com:
Nick Saban on Texas rumors: ‘I’m totally committed to Alabama’
The Tide head coach denies any interest in the position after Texas’s change in athletic directors.
“Well I don’t know where these reports come from,” Saban said with a smile. “I’ve sort of addressed the situation before. I’m totally committed to the University of Alabama, looking forward to the game we have this week and all my focus has been on LSU and what our team needs to do to play their best.”
The rumors come after Texas hired former Arizona State athletic director Steve Patterson as the replacement for DeLoss Dodds. West Virginia’s Oliver Luck was rumored to be the favorite, so Patterson’s hire was a bit of a surprise.
Could Patterson bring current Arizona State head coach Todd Graham over with him? Graham has shown that he’s willing to step up when the opportunity arises, but Patterson’s contract includes a clause that prohibits him from hiring from Arizona State.
The Saban-to-Texas rumors have long been around -- there's nearly no program willing to spend like the Longhorns, but Alabama can compete. According to a USA Today list published Wednesday, Saban makes slightly more than current Texas head coach Mack Brown.
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