Monday, January 12, 2004
Off Topic Alert
Is there a job more unappetizing that a head coach job in the NFL? Ask Nick Saban, the coach of the "national champion" LSU Tigers. His good friend, Jerry Angelo, offered him the head coaching job with the Chicago Bears, complete control of his assistant coaches, a say in the personnel decisions of the team, and $3.5 million a year to lead the Monsters of the Midway.
Saban says "Mmm, no thanks. Can't afford the pay cut." Not really. But it's close. Saban will get $2.3 million for winning the "national championship" at LSU. And as long as Saban keeps the LSU Tigers competitive (which looks like a synch with his recruiting touch), he can stay in Death Valley as long as he wishes. Plus, there is no general manager overrulling who he wants on the field or who gets playing time, or who stays or who goes after the season on the field or off.
Being a big time football coach (outside of Lincoln, Nebraska) is the closest equivalent to benevolent dictator there is in sports today. You have control over your entire empire and are treated like a god when you win. If you lose, you might be villified, but nobody will fire your defensive coordinator, or pick a defensive back that you hate with the first pick in the draft.
Is there a job more unappetizing that a head coach job in the NFL? Ask Nick Saban, the coach of the "national champion" LSU Tigers. His good friend, Jerry Angelo, offered him the head coaching job with the Chicago Bears, complete control of his assistant coaches, a say in the personnel decisions of the team, and $3.5 million a year to lead the Monsters of the Midway.
Saban says "Mmm, no thanks. Can't afford the pay cut." Not really. But it's close. Saban will get $2.3 million for winning the "national championship" at LSU. And as long as Saban keeps the LSU Tigers competitive (which looks like a synch with his recruiting touch), he can stay in Death Valley as long as he wishes. Plus, there is no general manager overrulling who he wants on the field or who gets playing time, or who stays or who goes after the season on the field or off.
Being a big time football coach (outside of Lincoln, Nebraska) is the closest equivalent to benevolent dictator there is in sports today. You have control over your entire empire and are treated like a god when you win. If you lose, you might be villified, but nobody will fire your defensive coordinator, or pick a defensive back that you hate with the first pick in the draft.
