I actually think he was positioned to do better in the pros compared to some of the other great college coaches that have failed (Urban, Spurrier, etc). I'm not a Dolphins fan, but a story I've read over the years is that he wanted Brees, who was coming off a bad injury (I think with the Chargers at the time, where he started, but who were moving on from him because of Rivers). The Dolphins medical staff either wouldn't sign off or talked the powers that be out of signing Brees, and instead they go with Culpepper. And that was all she wrote for Saban. He also realized quickly coaching college kids is way different than professionals, especially back then pre-NIL. There was a veteran dogging it in practice -- forget the name -- and Saban demanded he run springs/laps. Next day they get word from the guy's agent that he had a clause in his contract that said Saban couldn't do that, or something similar.
One of the great college coaches ever. Will be interesting to see who they land on as a replacement. Obviously one of the best college gigs there is, but enormous pressure and Kirby/Georgia are killing it right now, which adds to the pressure.
