What Team Did Nick Saban Coach In The NFL?

We all know Nick Saban as the legendary college football coach, but did you know he also coached in the NFL? Here’s a look at what team he coached in the NFL.

Nick Saban’s NFL Career

Nick Saban is best known for his successful college coaching career, but he actually got his start in the NFL. He was the defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns from 1991 to 1994. In 1995, he became the head coach of the Michigan State Spartans. He then returned to the NFL in 1999 as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

Saban’s Time With The Houston Oilers

In 1988, Saban was hired by the Houston Oilers as their defensive coordinator. He helped lead the team to a 12-4 record and a spot in the AFC Championship game in his first season. The following year, the Oilers again made it to the playoffs with a 10-6 record before losing in the Wild Card round. After two more seasons in Houston, Saban was hired by the Cleveland Browns in 1991.

Saban’s Time With The Cleveland Browns

In 1991, Saban was hired by the Cleveland Browns, then led by Bill Belichick, to be the defensive coordinator. The Browns finished the season with an 11–5 record and made it to the playoffs. In 1993, Saban’s defense helped the team make it to the AFC Championship game. The Browns were eventually defeated by the Buffalo Bills, but Saban’s defenses were a big part of their success.

In 1994, Saban became the head coach of the Browns. The team finished with a record of 9–7 and made it to the playoffs again. However, they were defeated in the first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The following year, the Browns finished with a 7–9 record and did not make it to the playoffs.

In 1996, Saban was hired by the Miami Dolphins to be their head coach.

Why Saban Returned To College Football

After stints as an assistant with the Houston Oilers and the Cleveland Browns, Nick Saban was given his first head coaching job in the NFL by the Miami Dolphins in the 2005 season. He led the team to a 9-7 record. The following year, the Dolphins went 8-8. In 2007, Saban’s third and final year with the team, they finished the season with a record of 1-15, the worst in the NFL. After the team’s disappointing performance, Saban resigned from his position as head coach of the Dolphins.

Saban’s Return To The University Of Alabama

In 2007, Saban took over as head coach at the University of Alabama, a program that had fallen on hard times since winning the national championship in 1992. He quickly turned the team around, leading the Crimson Tide to a 12-2 record and a spot in the Sugar Bowl in his first season.

Since then, Saban has led Alabama to five more national championships (2009, 2011-12, 2014-15), making him the only coach in college football history to win five titles in a ten-year span. He’s also been named SEC Coach of the Year six times (2003, 2008, 2009, 2011-12, 2014) and AP Coach of the Year three times (2003, 2008, 2009).

Saban’s Legacy In The NFL

Nick Saban is one of the most successful college football coaches of all time. He has won six national championships, including five at the University of Alabama. Prior to his coaching career, Saban was the head coach of the Miami Dolphins for two seasons.

Saban’s Influence On The NFL

While Nick Saban may be best known for his time as head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide, he also had a brief stint in the NFL. From 1991-1994, Saban was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, going 9-7 in his first season and then 6-10 in his next two seasons. He was then fired by Browns owner Art Modell.

Despite his short tenure in the NFL, Saban left a lasting impression on those he coached. Bill Belichick, who was an assistant coach under Saban with the Browns, has often spoken about how much he learned from Saban during their time together. Belichick even invited Saban to speak to his team before they won Super Bowl XLVI in 2012.

It’s clear that Saban’s time in the NFL had a significant impact on his coaching career, and he has continued to have success at the collegiate level. He has won six national championships with Alabama, and it is safe to say that he is one of the greatest coaches in college football history.