The PTB were afraid that Saban wasn't really interested in the job (even though his agent had given assurances that he was) and that if we waited until the NFL season was over, we'd get stuck with another second rate coach. As a result, Mal caved in and offered the job to RichRod, and it was only by the grace of God and RichRod's wife, that we didn't get stuck with that loser. Also, remember that Mal was willing to give Sheila one more year, if he would change coordinators, which, thankfully, he refused to do. When RichRod backed out, Mal was essentially dead in the water, and had no choice but to put all his eggs in the Saban basket. What I will give Mal credit for, is that once Saban got to T-town, Mal gave him complete control over the program, and essentially a blank check to improve the program in every way imaginable, which was by far, the smartest thing he ever did as AD.
