Senator Joe Manchin reveals advice he gave to Nick Saban about Miami Dolphins and Alabama jobs
By Adam Spencer
Published:
Nick Saban left the Miami Dolphins ahead of the 2007 season to return to the college ranks, taking over at Alabama.
Obviously, that move has really paid off for Saban, who has won 6 titles in Tuscaloosa, bringing his career total to 7 national championships.
When he was deciding whether or not to return to the college ranks, he turned to an old friend — West Virginia senator Joe Manchin. Manchin, one of the most powerful senators in Washington D.C., spoke with Ivan Maisel of On3 Sports. He recalled the advice he gave Saban about leaving Miami and heading to Alabama:
“I said, ‘Buddy, I love you, and I’m telling you. You weren’t raised to coach somebody that was playing for money,’ ” Manchin said. “ ‘You were raised basically to be a builder of men. That’s what your dad did. That’s all you ever saw in your whole life growing up. Whether you know it or not, that’s who you are.’ ”
Two years later, Saban called Manchin again.
“Hey, Joe,” he said, “I think this thing at Alabama might work out.”
“Well, buddy,” Manchin said, “look at it this way. You can’t go back to Michigan. Louisiana’s off the charts too. You screwed them over. And I think Florida’s out, too. But we’ve still got 47 other states.”
Saban describes Manchin as one of his best friends in the article, and it’s clear the 2 men have a connection.
Maisel’s feature on the relationship between the senator and the football coach is incredible and well worth your time. Read it here.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
