After leaving LSU, Nick Saban stated that his one regret was abandoning the program before it had been completely restored.

Nick Saban, one of the most successful and celebrated football coaches in college football history, has a legacy that extends far beyond his time at LSU. He has been the architect of Alabama’s modern dynasty, leading the Crimson Tide to multiple national championships and making the program the gold standard of college football. However, when Saban reflects on his career, particularly his brief tenure at LSU, he admits that one decision stands out as a regret—a decision that shaped both his career and the trajectory of LSU football.

Following his departure from LSU in 2004, Saban revealed that his one regret from his coaching career was leaving the program before it had been fully restored to greatness. Saban, who led LSU to a national championship in 2003, recognizes that his departure may have come too soon, as the foundation was laid for long-term success but wasn’t fully realized in his time there. The decision to leave LSU for the NFL, and later return to college football at Alabama, raised questions among fans, analysts, and even Saban himself.

In this article, we will examine Saban’s time at LSU, the context behind his regret, and how it shaped his approach to coaching, recruitment, and his later success at Alabama. We will also explore how his departure from Baton Rouge impacted LSU football, and whether or not the regret Saban feels is something that the program itself shares.

Nick Saban’s Time at LSU: Building the Foundation for Success

Before he became the dominant figure in college football at Alabama, Nick Saban was the head coach at LSU, where he began to make a name for himself on the national stage. Saban took over the LSU program in 2000 after a rocky period of underperformance for the Tigers. In the years prior to his arrival, LSU had seen some success, but the team lacked consistency.

Under Saban’s leadership, LSU quickly began to turn the corner. In his first season (2000), LSU finished with a 8-4 record, but it was in his second season that the program truly began to show signs of its potential. By the time 2003 rolled around, Saban had transformed LSU into a national contender. The Tigers finished the season with an impressive 13-1 record and won the national championship by defeating Oklahoma in the BCS National Championship Game.

Saban’s success at LSU was built on his commitment to discipline, attention to detail, and creating a tough, physical football team that could dominate both sides of the ball. His defensive background helped solidify LSU’s defense as one of the most formidable units in college football. Under Saban, LSU recruited some of the top talent in the country, and the program’s infrastructure, facilities, and national profile were significantly improved.

Saban had restored LSU to championship contention. However, as the 2004 season came to a close, a surprising turn of events took place that would change the course of both Saban’s career and LSU football.

The Departure to the NFL and the Regret

After leading LSU to a 10-2 record in 2004, Saban made the shocking decision to leave Baton Rouge and take the head coaching position for the Miami Dolphins in the NFL. His departure was met with mixed reactions. On one hand, Saban had built LSU into a powerhouse. On the other hand, many felt that his work at LSU was far from complete and that he was leaving the program at a pivotal moment.

The timing of Saban’s decision is an important aspect of the regret he now feels. Saban had laid the foundation for sustained success, but his departure came just as LSU seemed poised for a multi-year run of dominance. The Tigers had a loaded roster, with future stars like JaMarcus Russell and Glenn Dorsey on the horizon. Saban had not yet fully restored the program to the level he envisioned when he arrived, and by leaving for the NFL, he left behind a program that still had the potential to achieve even greater things.

In interviews years later, Saban admitted that he regretted leaving LSU before the program had been fully restored to what he believed it could be. Despite the success he had enjoyed, he now recognizes that his departure came at a time when LSU was primed for continued success. Had he stayed for a few more years, Saban believes he could have built a dynasty that would have further elevated LSU’s program to the heights of modern college football, a trajectory that would’ve made LSU a perennial powerhouse.

Saban’s decision to leave LSU also brought to light a key personal ambition he harbored: the desire to prove himself in the NFL. However, his time with the Miami Dolphins was largely disappointing. Saban’s tenure in the NFL lasted just two seasons, and although he had some success, including leading the Dolphins to a respectable 9-7 record in 2005, he was ultimately unsuccessful in creating a long-term winning culture. In 2007, after just two seasons in Miami, Saban made the decision to return to college football and take over at Alabama.

It was this return to the college ranks that would allow Saban to fully realize his potential as a coach, although it was not without its own hurdles and learning experiences. His time at LSU laid the foundation for his future success, but he admits that leaving the program before he could fully develop it is one of the few regrets of his illustrious career.

The Impact of Saban’s Departure on LSU Football

Saban’s departure from LSU left the program in a vulnerable position. While the Tigers were left with talented players, including future NFL stars like JaMarcus Russell, the program had to rebuild under new head coach Les Miles, who took over in 2005.

Miles’ tenure at LSU was marked by both success and frustration. Under Miles, LSU remained a competitive force in the SEC, winning the national championship in 2007 and consistently fielding strong teams. However, many LSU fans and analysts agree that the program was never quite able to recapture the same level of dominance it enjoyed under Saban. While Miles’ teams were often talented, they lacked the consistency and precision that defined Saban’s tenure.

In a sense, Saban’s departure meant that LSU missed out on the chance to establish a true dynasty. While LSU did manage to win another national title in 2007 under Miles, it was clear that the program never quite reached the level of sustained success that Saban had begun building. That said, the Tigers remained a competitive force in college football, and Miles’ teams often competed for SEC championships and national playoff berths.

While it’s easy to view Saban’s departure as a missed opportunity for LSU, the program still benefitted from his foundational work. The culture of winning, recruiting, and discipline that Saban instilled in Baton Rouge set the stage for the continued success of LSU football. Even after Saban’s departure, LSU maintained a level of consistency that helped it become one of the top programs in the SEC and in college football.

Saban’s Legacy at Alabama: Fulfillment of His Vision

When Nick Saban returned to college football in 2007 to take the head coaching position at Alabama, it marked the beginning of a new chapter in his career. Saban quickly turned Alabama into the dominant force in college football, building a program that would redefine success over the next decade and beyond.

At Alabama, Saban fully realized his vision of creating a dynasty. Over the course of his tenure, he has led the Crimson Tide to six national championships (as of 2024), and the program has become a perennial contender for championships. Saban has transformed Alabama into a program that routinely attracts top recruits, plays an elite brand of football, and consistently competes at the highest level.

While Saban’s time at Alabama has been defined by success, it’s important to note that his work at LSU provided the blueprint for his approach. The lessons Saban learned during his time at LSU, particularly the importance of building a winning culture and establishing a strong recruiting base, have informed his approach at Alabama. LSU’s success under Saban remains a point of pride for the program, and his time in Baton Rouge is often cited as the turning point that elevated the Tigers to national prominence.