Steve Spurrier is still doing his best to nudge Nick Saban back to the NFL. The South Carolina coach recognizes that his chances of winning the SEC championship are slim as long as Saban is coaching at Alabama. That’s why every chance he gets, Spurrier seems to try to push Saban back to the NFL, whether it’s by using mind games or other tactics.
On Friday, Spurrier continued his sneaky ways during an interview on “The Dan Patrick Show.”
“I don’t know if he’ll take that Cleveland job or not, but I dunno, it’ll be interesting,” said Spurrier, who was referencing rumors that the Browns wanted to hire Saban. “He’s done almost all you can do in college football. Whether or not the challenge to win the Super Bowl hits him — only he knows.”
Patrick then asked Spurrier if he really thought Saban would consider the Browns job.
“Oh I wouldn’t advise him to do anything — he can make his own decisions. But if winning a Super Bowl is something he’d like to do before he hung up his coaching whistle, some job somewhere, he might go for it.”
Patrick recognized what Spurrier was doing and pointed it out, but Spurrier defended his thoughts by saying Saban has already won three championships in college.
“How many do you want to win before you go win a Super Bowl? … If winning a Super Bowl is something down the line on his bucket list, you couldn’t blame him … he’s already done everything you can in college football.”
If you doubt whether Spurrier had a purpose in mind with those comments, I present you this interview from April where Spurrier used similar tactics to try to get Saban to leave Bama.
At least Saban knows Spurrier’s game.
“I think it’s great, I love Steve. I’m always anxious to hear what he has to say — it’s always funny,” Saban said of Spurrier in August.
Saban recognizes what a great gig he has going at Alabama. Maybe one day he might decide to try the NFL again. I just don’t think that’s happening any time too soon.
You can listen to Spurrier’s comments below:
Photo dredit: Jeff Blake-US PRESSWIRE
