[Bamabeachlivin]

Huizenga to meet with Saban Tuesday over Alabama job</B>

By Alex Marvez, Dave Hyde and Harvey Fialkov
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

January 1, 2007, 11:21 PM EST

Dolphins owner H. Wayne Huizenga should find out Tuesday whether his head coach is rolling to the University of Alabama.

Despite repeated denials of interest in the job to both Huizenga and the media, Dolphins coach Nick Saban met Monday night with Alabama Athletic Director Mal Moore in South Florida to discuss the Crimson Tide's coaching vacancy, a source said.

Huizenga said he spoke with Saban on Monday night but there was "nothing to report." Huizenga said he was going to meet with Saban Tuesday morning to discuss the situation.

Because of time demands from both entities, Saban must quickly decide whether to return to the college ranks, where he won the 2003 national championship at Louisiana State, or begin a third season trying to end the Dolphins' five-year playoff drought.

At his season-ending news conference Monday, Saban dodged several questions about the Alabama job that opened in late November when Mike Shula was fired.

"I'm not talking about any of that stuff," Saban said. "I appreciate the courtesy of not having to talk about it at this time. This press conference is about our team.

"I'm committed to doing my job well here because this is my job. That's what I've been doing all day today and that's what I will continue to do."

Under contract to the Dolphins for three more seasons with an annual salary of $4.5 million, Saban said 12 days ago that he was "not going to be the Alabama coach" and echoed that sentiment to Huizenga on numerous occasions. But a strong Alabama financial package and what could be a preference for the college game could have prompted a change of heart.

Quoting an Alabama official before Saban's news conference, ESPN reported Alabama has offered Saban a contract between $4 million to $4.5 million annually for eight to 10 seasons.

"I have not talked to anyone," Saban said Monday.

However, Saban also denied having any contact with Alabama in the past even though his agent Jimmy Sexton had several conversations with Crimson Tide officials. Sexton didn't return a telephone call Monday seeking comment.

Huizenga was at Dolphins headquarters Monday, but Saban said they spoke only about organizational issues and not Alabama.

Following a 4-12 season in 2004, the Dolphins received universal praise for luring Saban away from the college ranks when other NFL teams couldn't. But despite having control over personnel moves, Saban is 15-17 in two seasons with the Dolphins, including 6-10 in 2006.

If Saban were to leave, the Dolphins would be one of three teams needing a new coach with Jim Mora (Atlanta) and Dennis Green (Arizona) being fired Monday. The Dolphins have two former NFL head coaches on their staff in Mike Mularkey and Dom Capers, but the franchise would likely conduct an outside search that could include Mora, NFL Network analyst Steve Mariucci and Chicago defensive coordinator Ron Rivera.

College names frequently linked to NFL openings include Southern California's Pete Carroll, Louisville's Bobby Petrino and Iowa's Kirk Ferentz.

One Dolphins player speaking Monday on condition of anonymity said he didn't expect any lingering resentment toward Saban if he returned. The player compared the situation to when running back Ricky Williams rejoined the Dolphins in 2005 after crippling the team's offense the previous season by retiring unexpectedly.

"Nobody holds a grudge against [Williams]," the player said. "That's how the NFL is. There's no loyalty on one side or the other. [Saban] has got to do whatever is best for his family and players have to do what's best for their families.

"Also, when you're playing next year and out on the field, you're not going to think back if the head guy interviewed somewhere. Nobody really cares."

Alex Marvez can be reached at amarvez@sun-sentinel.com. Copyright © 2006, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

var trbcat="sports:football:dolphins";var tcdacmd="da;dt;rcid=";http://tste.sun-sentinel.com/tte/bla...3l&c_rcid=null
Guess We will all soon Know Nick's Answer.

[Stoney]

Don't you just love speculation?