He’s at the top of his profession today, but 25-plus years ago, he was on his second stint — yes, second — at Michigan State, this time as a up-and-coming head coach. He was DB/DC from 1983-87 under MSU great George Perles. From 1995-99, Saban — who took over for his mentor — was the head coach of the Spartans. Then, before the 2000 Citrus Bowl, he abruptly bolted for bayou-life at LSU.
Source:Saturday Tradition
There’s no statue of Alabama coach Nick Saban in East Lansing, Mich., nor will there ever be. No streets are named in his honor, although Michigan State doesn’t do that kind of thing, and no championship trophies are on display from his time there. But Saban’s influence, impact and legacy can be seen and felt almost 20 years since he last wore green and white on the Spartan Stadium sideline. He spent 10 years in East Lansing, five as an assistant coach in 1983-87 and five as the head coach 1995-99.
Source: SECcountry.com
Saban said late last week in the run-up to Monday’s championship game that Michigan State “still seems like home”, all these years later. “We were at (Michigan State) for 10 years, and if there’s any place that probably seems like home, we’ve been at Alabama now for 10 years, so it certainly seems like home, but that would be the other place that’s sort of home away from home,” Saban said.
Source: MLive.com