My first thought on Nick Saban was that Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga should have fired him on Monday when it was obvious Saban had misled him about his level of interest in the Alabama job.

My second reaction is that Huizenga and the Dolphins will be criticized by other NFL owners for allowing Saban to abuse the league and this franchise like he did. Even people within the Dolphins were surprised that Saban wasn't fired weeks ago when it was obvious to many that he was thinking of a way out and was really interested in Alabama.

The consequences of Saban's departure will be that NFL owners will become very reluctant to deal with any high-powered college coach in the future. How can you trust them?

We have written this before: Fans should remember that a very good college job tends to be a better overall job than most NFL positions.

Why?

Because even though the salary doesn't quite compare to that offered by NFL teams, most big-time college programs still pay very well; just look at what Alabama reportedly will pay Saban.

College coaches also get to enjoy an off-season with no draft and no free-agency and salary-cap worries. The NCAA places so many limits on recruiting, scholarships and practice hours that it has leveled the playing field in those areas. Overall, there is more security in college than the NFL, too.

I mean, if Saban had stayed in Miami and the Dolphins had missed the playoffs in 2007, you can bet he would have been fired. At least at Alabama, Saban can pick his quarterback and is not stuck with a choice between Daunte Culpepper and Joey Harrington.