Saban: ‘There were no talks’ with Texas

Associated Press

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.

Alabama coach Nick Saban and the football team are moving on.

Saban has put to rest the speculation that he would replace Mack Brown at Texas by striking a new deal with Alabama.

For the third-ranked Crimson Tide, the focus is on getting over the loss to Auburn and trying to finish the season strong in the Jan. 2 Sugar Bowl against No. 11 Oklahoma.

Saban had said Friday night after agreeing to a new contract reportedly worth about $7 million a year that he planned to retire at Alabama.

He said “there were no talks” between his representatives and Texas and pointed to comments on ESPN that he “never considered going to Texas.”

“I think I’ve already made a reaction to that,” Saban said. “Don’t you watch ESPN? Didn’t you see what they put down across the bottom line. That’s my reaction to it.

“I don’t have any more reactions to it. I think it’s kind of over so why do we want to talk about that? We look forward. I’m looking forward. I made a commitment to our players that are here and I’m happy to be committed to them and I want them to make the same kind of commitment to the program and to their future success.”

Brown announced his resignation at Texas on Saturday.