The Real Reason Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban is So Angry

During the Arkansas-Alabama game there were a few times where Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban appeared to be just a little upset. His displeasure and surliness bled over in to his press time this past week, but that is not entirely unusual. While answering stupid questions likely has a lot to do with his apparent crankiness you have to wonder if the real reason is something else entirely.

Could it be that he realizes he has made a mistake?

via Bleacher Report

Maybe--just maybe--he should have taken the job in Texas.

Saban can claim all day long that there was not an offer on the table, but fact of the matter is this. Had he said yes at any point in time up until the Longhorns hired Charlie Strong officials for the University of Texas would have sent a golden chariot to pick him up.

So--why should he have made the move? Well, let's look at what's been going on for old Nicky Saban:

• constantly questioned/criticized for hiring Lane Kiffin
• especially since the offense has not been very consistent and the running game not as strong as fans have grown accustomed to
• students are still not the best about showing up and sticking around and with the team not dominating opponents like usual it is not likely to get better
• fans/media were critical of Alabama's close win over Arkansas (14-13); Saban was "ticked off"
• after making winning the national championship a regular thing folks are not happy unless the team is killing folks and ranked No. 1
• the team is not playing up to par this season and making more mistakes than teams from the recent pass (i.e. three fumbled punt returns and a kick return against Arkansas; too many penalties)

Part of the problem is that Lane Kiffin was brought in to give the team a better, more modern passing game, but the personnel does not fit the scheme. Alabama's been more of a running team and his built as such.

Due to loss of personnel to graduation and the NFL along with bringing in Kiffin to change up the offense the Crimson Tide are essentially in a rebuilding year. When that happens teams do tend to struggle as players have to develop. This is compounded by the emphasis the team has tried to puit on the passing game.

But the fans and media still want to see the usual dominant Alabama team. Since they are not they are not happy.

Had he gone to Texas the expectations would still have been pretty high, but the fact Texas was rebuilding no matter who was hired was a given. It was expected. So while fans would have hoped for the best the general train of thought would have been this:

"It's all going to be okay. We have Saban, and in time he will fix all."

Instead Saban opted to stay in Alabama and has to deal with all the doubters, haters, and skeptics whether his team wins or loses.

Yeah, that would be enough to make anyone angry.

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