Nick Saban To Texas Rumors Squashed By TU President

Nick Saban isn’t headed to Texas, the university’s president said this week.

Texas Universitry president Bill Powers responded to the ever-present rumors that the Alabama coach is set to take over for the Longhorns. Powers said he’s never had any kind of contact with Saban before.

“I’ve never met Nick Saban. I’ve never talked to Nick Saban. We have not hired Nick Saban,” Powers told the Austin American-Statesman on Thursday afternoon. “Mack’s our coach, and I can say flatly that the rumors we have hired or come to an agreement with Nick Saban or even talked to him are false.”

Rumors that Nick Saban is taking over for Mack Brown at Texas have been around for months, dating back to when a Texas regent met with Saban’s agent Jimmy Sexton in January.

But Saban has expressed his commitment to Alabama the entire time.

His wife, Terry Saban, has even gotten in on the denials. In a recent interview with Sharon Terlep of The Wall Street Journal, Terry said the reports were just “rumors with absolutely no foundation.”

“We’re staying,” Terry added. “We’re not going anywhere.”

Just because Nick Saban isn’t coming doesn’t guarantee Mack Brown his job. Texas stands at 8-3 this season, good for third in the Big 12 and a No. 23 ranking overall.

When asked if Brown would stay on through next year, Powers said: “That’s for Mack to decide. I think he would (tell me).”

Saban meanwhile has led Alabama to two BCS Titles, and was on track toward another title game berth this season before a shocking last-second loss to Auburn last weekend in which the Tigers returned a missed field goal 109 yards at the end of regulation.

Nick Saban said he’s got a good reason for wanting to stay at Alabama. He said he’s too old to take another job.