Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga traveled to Baton Rouge to visit with LSU's Nick Saban, but the coach has yet to decide whether he will accept the Dolphins' offer. BY JASON COLE [email protected] Count this as one of the hardest deals ever for Wayne Huizenga to close. And it is looking more and more like it won't get done. Louisiana State coach Nick Saban put off his decision about whether to take the Dolphins job for another 24 to 48 hours after meeting with Huizenga personally in Baton Rouge, La., on Christmas Eve. According to a source, the Dolphins increased their salary offer. Saban and agent Jimmy Sexton also met with LSU athletic director Skip Bertman and several highly placed LSU alumni for 1 ½ hours before issuing a statement through the LSU athletic department. ''In the next 24 to 48 hours we'll make a decision regarding the head coaching position of the Miami Dolphins,'' Saban said. ``We certainly appreciate everyone's support, patience and understanding during this very difficult process.'' Huizenga and Dolphins president Eddie Jones flew to Baton Rouge on Friday to keep the talks open. Saban, who has been told by many close to him that he should not risk going into the NFL and should remain in the college ranks where he is considered among the elite coaches, is to fly to Orlando today with the LSU team to prepare for the Capital One Bowl against Iowa on New Year's Day. ''This is a gut-wrenching decision for Nick and he needs, and deserves, the time necessary to make the right decision for him and his family,'' Bertman said. FRIDAY MEETING Saban, who Wednesday was offered a five-year deal that was originally worth an average of $4.5 million per season, acknowledged that he met with Dolphins officials, and Dolphins media relations director Harvey Greene confirmed that Huizenga and Jones met with Saban. Huizenga's jet, painted in aqua and featuring a Dolphins logo on the tail, landed in the Baton Rouge airport early Friday morning. Huizenga and Jones then took a limousine to Saban's home. Huizenga's arrival set off speculation throughout both Louisiana and South Florida. After Saban huddled with Huizenga in the morning, he and Sexton drove to meet with Bertman. As Saban emerged from that meeting, he was met by a throng of media. ''Happy holidays,'' Saban said before issuing a minor protest about being followed around town. ``I should be able to come to work without all of this. I'm focused on the bowl.'' Saban and Sexton then returned to Saban's home. They went to the airport with Huizenga and Jones, briefly got on the Dolphins plane to say goodbye and then returned to Saban's home as the Dolphins officials left. LSU faithful have been leaving boxes of Little Debbie oatmeal cookies in front of Saban's house everyday to show their support. Saban is known to eat the cookies each morning at work. In related news, Philadelphia signed vice president of player personnel Tom Heckert Jr. to a contract extension through 2009 on Friday. A source said the Dolphins asked Saban to hire Heckert, the son of Dolphins personnel man Tom Heckert Sr. and a former 10-year employee of the team, as part of the new management package. Heckert Jr. also had been considered for the general manager job in Cleveland.
LSU faithful have been leaving boxes of Little Debbie oatmeal cookies in front of Saban's house everyday to show their support. Saban is known to eat the cookies each morning at work. it's all about the little debbie oatmeal cookies. that will be the deciding factor for LSU coach Nick Saban. I like the way that continues to sound. Got It?
