Nick Saban‘s reign at Alabama is one of the most iconic coaching tenures in CFB history—a legacy that will be talked about for generations. Widely considered the greatest NCAA coach of all time, Saban’s dominance rarely happened. However, before he took the helm at Alabama, Rich Rodriguez was offered the job but turned it down. Imagine the what-ifs if Rodriguez had said yes—CFB as we know it could look completely different today.

But Rodriguez’s decision to stay at West Virginia turned out to be a game-changer for Alabama, flipping a missed opportunity into a blessing. Had he accepted the Alabama job in 2006, the rise of Saban’s dynasty might have never happened. So, the “what-if” still haunts college football: What if Rodriguez had taken the reins? It could’ve rewritten history. Instead, Saban stepped in, and the rest became CFB legend.

But here’s the kicker: Rodriguez made a bold claim during his May 1st appearance on Josh Pate’s CFB show. When asked about the massive turning point in college football history—his near move to Alabama before Saban took the reins—Rodriguez had a memorable response. “I just always tell the story, so where’s my trophy in Tuscaloosa? Where’s my statue outside there?” he said, laughing. That moment still resonates, showing just how close we came to a completely different football world.

Here’s why Rodriguez’s near-move to Alabama is such a game-changer. “Because if I had gone there, you may not have those six. You probably wouldn’t have those six national championships and all that,” he explained. Adding, “That’s what’s so interesting about my journey—how one decision can affect a whole lot of different programs.” But he didn’t stop there. Reflecting on the bigger picture, Rodriguez told Pate, “That’s the sport we’re in. That’s the profession we’re in. I’ve always learned from that, too.” So, one move, endless ripple effects.

Well, after leading West Virginia to a 3rd-straight 10-win season, Rich Rodriguez made the jump to Michigan. But his time in Ann Arbor was a struggle—he never topped seven wins in a season. Following his firing, he found a new chapter at Arizona, coaching from 2012 to 2017. His career then took him to Ole Miss and Louisiana-Monroe in assistant roles, before Jacksonville State gave him another head coaching chance. But after 3 years there, Rodriguez returned to West Virginia this offseason, stepping back into the role he first held in 2007. So, his career has been a rollercoaster, with both challenges and comebacks.

Despite his bold claim, Rodriguez didn’t shy away from acknowledging the immense impact of Nick Saban. As he said on Josh Pate’s show, “Coach Saban’s success, you know, the greatest college football coach ever, you know, not even question that, and how that thing kind of went full circle.” So, Rodriguez recognizes the undeniable legacy Saban has built, a journey that, in many ways, began with his own decision.

Rich Rodriguez might be onto something, but at the end of the day, he decided to stay at West Virginia. He passed on the chance to build Alabama into a powerhouse. Instead, Saban stepped in and did just that—and then some. Yet, Rodriguez truly believes he played a part in sparking the dynasty we see today. A twist of fate that changed CFB forever.

Rich Rodriguez claimed Alabama’s success story

Rich Rodriguez had a bold take on Alabama’s success. “I’m partly responsible for those five national championships because if I had said yes, you wouldn’t have had the greatest coach of all time, Nick Saban, winning all those championships,” said Rich in 2020. No doubt, it’s a claim that adds an intriguing layer to the what-if story of college football history.

On the flip side, Nick Saban may have retired over a year ago, but his legacy in CFB is untouchable. His greatness will forever be etched in history, even though he initially turned down the Alabama job multiple times. As ESPN reported in 2007, writing, “Since late November, Saban had issued frequent, angry public denials of interest in moving to Tuscaloosa. Huizenga said the change of heart wasn’t driven by money, and Saban never sought a raise or contract extension.”

Meanwhile, Rich Rodriguez still wants his moment in the sun. Most importantly, he’s not just asking for credit from Alabama fans, but also thinks the Crimson Tide should take it a step further—by honoring him with a statue.